The President left Thursday (Nov. 12) for Singapore to attend the 17th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting, presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said.

The APEC meeting will be hosted by Singapore''s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Suntec Convention Center and Istana, the residence and office of the President of Singapore, over two days on Nov. 14 and 15.

On the first day, the leaders will discuss Asia''s growth strategy in the post-economic crisis era. On the second, they will share thoughts on how to activate free trade in the Asia-Pacific region. At the end of the meeting, the leaders will adopt a joint statement on the results of the two-day meeting sessions.

President Lee will congratulate on the 20th anniversary of APEC''s launch at the venue, and discuss with other leaders the balanced economic growth and integration of the Asia-Pacific region after the international financial crisis, according to Cheong Wa Dae.

In particular, Cheong Wa Dae said, President Lee will wrap up the discussion of the first day''s session along with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and announce the results to the participating leaders at the meeting.

Meanwhile, President Lee will also participate in the APEC CEO summit, which takes place on the eve of the APEC summit, and make a speech on “how to utilize the G-20 process for Asia''s growth after economic crisis.” He will also attend the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) and talk with international economic experts there.

The Singapore summit will become a great chance for APEC member states to review once again the achievements made at the Pittsburgh G20 summit in September, and President Lee, as the leader of the 2010 G20 chair country, will not only present key economic agenda items but also play a pivotal role in connecting APEC and the G20 summit meetings, Cheong Wa Dae said.