All preparations, from contents to logistic and security plans, for the forthcoming Economic Leaders' Week have been completed, said Deputy Foreign Minister Le Cong Phung, the 2006 Chair of the APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting at a press conference on November 9 in Hanoi.

All preparations for the 14th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting have been complete and organising the event successfully is top priority for Vietnam, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem.

The APEC Investment Forum 2006 (AIF) will take place in Hanoi on November 15-16, drawing more than 600 representatives from APEC member economies, said Phan Huu Thang, director of the Foreign Investment Department under the Ministry of Planning and Investment on November 6.

Member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) have invested in 5,681 projects with a combined capital of more than US$41.7 billion in Vietnam, making up over 73 percent of the nation's foreign direct investment (FDI).

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked relevant ministries and agencies to continue making detailed plans to ensure absolute safety for activities under the APEC framework, particularly social order and security at the National Conference Centre where the main activities of the conference will take place.

More than 5,000 Hanoians and 1,000 delegates representing foreign embassies and friendship organisations in Vietnam attended a Cultural Festival for Peace in Hanoi on November 5 to welcome the upcoming 14th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and Vietnam’s WTO accession.

Many heads of state will pay their official visits to Vietnam during the 14th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. Among them will be Chinese Communist Party leader and President Hu Jintao, Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President George W. Bush, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chilean President Michelle Bachelet.

More than 1,000 volunteers who have registered to serve the 14th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting are all excellent students having a command of foreign languages. They will actively contribute to the success of the APEC meeting because they serve as a bridge between guests and hosts.

APEC plays an important role in developing Vietnam’s tourism market as more than three fourths of foreign visitors coming to Vietnam annually are from APEC member economies. Initiatives put forward by Vietnam at the recent APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting in central Hoi An town are expected to open new prospects for the tourism sector.

Vietnam is ready for the APEC 2006 Week, said Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem, who is also chairman of the National APEC Committee, at a dress rehearsal of Gala Dinner in Hanoi on October 26.