Cullen To Attend APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting - 8 And 9 September 2001
Finance Minister Michael Cullen leaves today to take part in the 8th APEC Finance Ministers' meeting in Suzhou in the
People's Republic of China on 6 September.
At the APEC Finance Ministers' meeting in Brunei last year, which Dr Cullen co-chaired, it was agreed to a
recommendation from Deputies that it would be desirable to review the strategic goals and modus operandi of the APEC
Finance Ministers' process.
Dr Cullen says since then, the global and regional economic situation has changed dramatically. "The recent slowdown in
of some of the world's major industrial economies has cast a shadow on international growth in the short to medium term.
"This meeting provides a timely opportunity for APEC Finance Minister's to deliberate on the policy theme of the meeting
"Growth with restructuring, stability and equity" and to try and agree on the right mix of economic and policy actions
needed to sustain growth and development in the APEC region.
"I am sure that our concerted efforts will contribute substantially to the upcoming APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in
Shanghai this October," said Dr Cullen.
Dr Cullen is expected to lead a discussion in the Finance Ministers' Process, which is a New Zealand-led work programme
initiative.
The meeting programme includes a retreat for Ministers without officials present. This retreat will provide Ministers
with more opportunity for informal discussion - an idea that was originally raised last year in Brunei.
As well as the APEC meeting, Dr Cullen is scheduled for a whirlwind investment tour in Hong Kong on Friday 7 September
and in Shanghai on Monday 9 September.
Ends