G20 summit preparatory talks end in SKorea

SEOUL: Officials from the Group of 20 developed and emerging economies wrapped up a two-day forum on the global economy in South Korea today.

The forum was the first in a series of preparatory get-togethers ahead of this year's G20 summits, in Toronto in June and Seoul in November.

"It is meaningful that the G20 discussions had a first and good start for this year," Rhee Changyong, secretary-general and sherpa of the Presidential Committee for the G20 summit, said after the forum ended.

"I'm confident that South Korea, host of a G20 summit this year, will be able to do its coordinating job successfully."

The forum, held in Incheon west of Seoul, drew some 150 people from G20 members as well as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The participants were mostly deputy finance ministers and deputy central bank governors, there to discuss a variety of issues facing the global economy.

No communique or statement was issued concerning the meeting, which was closed to the press. AFP