International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Dr Ong Kian Ming said Malaysia will have the opportunity to become a tourism hub through the organisation of the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation Summit (APEC) 2020 , other than economic co-operation.

Ong said MITI would co-operate closely with the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (MOTAC) to promote the national tourism sector, in line with Visit Malaysia Year 2020.

He mentioned that APEC 2020 acts as a national promotion stage. It is a responsibility not only involving MITI, but also other ministries so that leaders of other countries, international companies and multi-national companies can see for themselves the economic growth in this country.

Ong said the government would endeavour to involve as many Malaysians as possible in APEC 2020 which would start in December this year until November next year.

Explaining on the allocation of RM300 million for the organisation of the event, Ong said this matter could not be explained in detail taking into account the aspect of security.

APEC which was set up in 1989 operated as a multi-lateral trade and economic co-operation forum for 21 member countries aimed at boosting prosperity by encouraging a balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative and guaranteed growth by speeding up regional economic integration.

The members of APEC are Malaysia, United States, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, China, Thailand and Vietnam.