MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

APEC tourism summit in Punta Arenas confirmed.

Eighteen out of 21 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation member economies have confirmed they will be participating in the Tourism Ministers summit scheduled in Punta Arenas next October 13/14.

APEC 21 Member Economies are Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People's Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; The Republic of the Philippines; The Russian Federation; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; United States of America; Viet Nam and only Papua Guinea, Russia and Vietnam have yet to confirm their participation.

Most delegations are expected to be headed by Tourism Ministers, according to Milenko Skoknic responsible for the organization of one of Punta Arenas greatest events ever.

"We've coordinated all the necessary logistics for the event, including medical support and transportation when the delegations visit important highlights of the region such as Fuerte Bulnes, Puerto Natales or Torres del Paine", indicated doctor Jorge Flies who will be responsible for medical services during the APEC summit in Punta Arenas.

APEC 21 "Member Economies" account for more than a third of the world's population (2.6 billion people), approximately 60% of world GDP (US$19, 254 billion) and about 47% of world trade. It also represents the most economically dynamic region in the world having generated nearly 70% of global economic growth in its first 10 years.

APEC was established in 1989 to further enhance economic growth and prosperity for the region and to strengthen the Asia-Pacific community. Since its inception it has worked to reduce tariffs and other trade barriers across the Asia-Pacific region, creating efficient domestic economies and dramatically increasing exports.

Unlike other multilateral trade bodies, APEC has no treaty obligations required of its participants and decisions made within APEC are reached by consensus and commitments are undertaken on a voluntary basis.