APEC meeting to promote 150 different events in Peru

The 24th APEC Economic Leaders' Week is set to promote 150 different public and private events next week, the president of the Lima Convention and Visitors Bureau, Carlos Canales, said on Thursday.

In addition to the gathering of economic leaders from the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, business delegations from the bloc will attend APEC's CEO Summit.

These events "generate more than 80 million U.S. dollars for the economy, of which 50 million dollars have benefited business in the city of Lima," said Canales, whose agency operates the venue that will play host to the economic leaders' meeting.

The gathering, attended by private-sector experts as well as government officials, will offer Peruvian business leaders a chance to exchange trade experiences with their counterparts from APEC, a potential market of around 2.8 billion consumers, noted Canales.

Peru will be showcasing its natural resources during the event, as well as its traditional export products and its tourism attractions.

"The country's image should impress the nearly 15,000 visitors of all types who have arrived for the events," said Canales. "They should serve as the bridge to draw a larger number of investors."

The immediate impact should be on tourism, said Canales, since the eyes of the world will be on the meeting and therefore on Peru and its rich cultural heritage.

APEC's influence should be felt beginning next year, when Peru holds business rounds with the bloc's members, he said.

APEC represents 57 percent of the world's gross domestic product, and 49 percent of world trade. Enditem