Bali, which has been named as 2017 Trip Advisor’s best global destination, will host the IMF – World Bank Annual Meetings 2018 next October at the Nusa Dua Resort area. This influential event will attract 18,000 finance ministers and central bank governors from 189 countries. It will also attract prominent persons from private sector, academics, NGO, and the media. The main topics of discussion will centre around global economic issues including the world economic outlook, global financial stability, poverty eradication, jobs and growth, economic development, aid effectiveness and climate change.

The Meetings will have an impact on Bali in both the short and long term for foreign exchange reserve gain, trade and investment, tourism, and promote Indonesian leadership in the region with positive knock-on effects for local economies and communities. 

At a glance:

• Bali will host the World Bank Annual Meetings 2018 in October 2018
• 18,000 prominent delegates will attend from 189 countries
• The main topics of discussion will centre around global economic issues
• This will promote Bali’s many tourist destinations
• Infrastructure improvements and new developments will help Bali’s economy
• Plus have an impact on Bali’s properties, commercial spaces, guest and staff accommodation

“I would like to thank the Government and people of Indonesia for hosting the 2018 Annual Meetings. This will be a great opportunity to showcase Indonesia’s impressive economic and social achievements, as well as the culture, beauty, and vitality of the country,” said Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the IMF.

“I thank President Widodo and the people of Indonesia for the invitation. It will be an honor for our institutions that the meetings will be hosted in Bali Nusa Dua,” said World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim.

Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said “This is the time to promote Indonesian tourist destinations even more, especially since the delegates are top executives whose spending is higher than regular tourists, which is around US$2,000 per person.” It will also propel Bali on the radar as a world class MICE destination. This is also the chance to promote daily cultural performances, Bali’s natural beauty, diving sites, exotic cuisine, plus retail, and arts and crafts. To get the delegates an opportunity to move around the island, 33 one-day tour packages have been created, including ‘Sightseeing Bali’ packages for golf, yoga, spa, snorkelling and diving. 

The Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, Luhut Binsar Panjaitan held the first preparatory coordinating meeting to discuss how Bali can host a large number of VIP delegates, infrastructure, conference and accommodation facilities, plus services for all expected delegates. The Bali International Convention Center, the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center and the Ngurah Rai International Airport are all set for improved facilities.

Minister Luhut said some improvements include constructing a roundabout and an underpass below the congested crossing from Nusa Dua to the Airport and from Kuta Beach to Denpasar city. To remove the eyesore of rubbish on the beaches and in cities, waste management and trash incinerators will be implemented. These developments and improvements to the infrastructure and services as well as the need for need for additional properties, commercial spaces, guest and staff accommodation plus housing, training, improving education enhancement, and environmental awareness should boost Bali’s reputation, and profile on the world stage.

Sources: The Jakarta Post, Bank of Indonesia, Ministry of Tourism, Indonesia, World Bank

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