Indonesia to host WTO meeting in Bali in 2013

Indonesia is to host the 13th WTO conference in Bali in December next year, officials said here on Monday. Indonesian Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan said that Indonesia could be an example for a successful nation. The minister made the remark after accompanying Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in meeting WTO Director General Pascal Lamy and Secretary General of United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Supachai Panitchpaksdi at the State Palace. During the meeting, Minister Wirjawan said Indonesia insisted on focusing on strengthening regional economy and Asia and ASEAN integration. On protectionism, Wirjawan said that the meeting would seek to strike a balance on global trade. "Many (countries) said to avoid protectionism. But the fact that many developed countries, developing countries say to implement anti-protectionism but the fact they also implement rules categorised as protectionism. Later we will find a balance on it," he told reporters at the State Palace. "We want to become a proper global citizen and we will also embrace the spirit of WTO," said Wirjawan. Teuku Faizasyah, presidential spokesman said that the meeting in Bali would discuss the latest global economic issues. Both WTO director general and UNCTAD head lauded Indonesia's economic growth, which is supported by robust households consumption and growing investment, said Wirjawan. The UNCTAD has included Indonesia in the world's top ten investment destinations, said Wirjawan. Indonesia regained the "investment" credit rating from Moody's on Jan. 18 this year and Fitch's on Dec. 15, putting the country on the radar of global funds managers.