Karmina Palace hosts ministers of tourism from 21 countries

Manzanillo chosen for APEC Conference July 3-6

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) was established in 1989 in response to the growing interdependence among Asia-Pacific economies. APEC has become the primary international organization that promotes open trade and economic cooperation among its 21 members around the Pacific rim. Mexico joined APEC in 1993 to intensify its trade relations with the Asia-Pacific economies.

APEC’s goal is to advance Asia-Pacific economic dynamism and sense of community.  Asia-Pacific is one of the fastest growing regions in the world and a major contributor to global prosperity and stability. 

APEC's members have a combined population of over 2.4 billion inhabitants, that imported goods worth more than 2.6 trillion dollars in 1999, and its Gross Domestic Product hit US$16 trillion in 1998). Mexico is the APEC Chair for the year 2002.

Colima's head of the Department of Tourism, Miguel de la Madrid, working in conjunction with Ernesto Barberi, managing director of the Karmina Palace, put together an excellent exhibition, designed to promote the state of Colima, Manzanillo, the city of Colima, and other neighboring villages, such as Tecoman, Cuyutlan, Comala, Nogueras, and Suchitlan.

The state of Colima not only wants to develop and promote tourism, but it also wants to make it easier for foreigners to invest and do business here. 

For more information about the goals and ideas of APEC, click on this link for the opening words of President Vicente Fox (English version): http://www.apec2002.org.mx/index.cfm?action=content&IdCategory=35&IdSubCategory=89

Tours to various archeological sites and museums gave the delegates a chance to enjoy the beauty and history of the area.  They also were given a chance to taste the local cuisine by dining at Bigote's, Juanito's and La Toscana, as well as sample the excellent food prepared by the Karmina's famous chef.

The member economies of APEC are: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China Taipei, South Korea, United States, Philippines, Hong Kong China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, People's Republic of China, Singapore, Thailand, Peru, Russia and Vietnam.

APEC’s member economies represent both a rich diversity of the region, as well as differing levels of economic development.

 Despite such differences there is a growing sense of common purpose and cooperation aimed at sustained regional and world growth.

Mexico is the host country for the year 2002, Thailand in 2003, Chile 2004, and South Korea in 2005.

The cities in Mexico that are participating include: Acapulco, Cancun, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Guanajuato, Los Cabos, Manzanillo, Merida, Monterrey and Puerto Vallarta.