As part of Singapore’s endeavour to deliver a memorable ‘Singapore Experience’, the APEC Organising Committee had planned a two-day visit programme for the spouses of Leaders attending the APEC Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) from 14-15 November 2009. The Leaders’ spouses will be hosted by Mrs Lee Hsien Loong, spouse of Singapore’s Prime Minister.

2    The Leaders’ Spouse Programme is specially designed and customised to provide the spouses with a ‘Uniquely Singapore’ experience in the realms of culture, arts and entertainment, leisure and lifestyle as well as culinary delights. The programme will showcase Singapore's multi-cultural diversity and racial cohesion, rich heritage, iconic architecture and attractions, and cosmopolitan ethos. Through the programme, the spouses will also gain an insight into Singapore’s capabilities in urban transformation, green efforts and sustainable development.

3    The first day of the Leaders’ spouse programme on 14 November 2009 was held at the Singapore Botanic Gardens where the Leaders’ spouses visited the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden and the National Orchid Garden.

4    The Leaders’ spouses were brought around the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden by student guides to view different gardening plots. At the National Orchid Garden, the Leaders’ spouses were given an overview of Singapore’s greening efforts in making Singapore a “City in a Garden”.

5    A key highlight of the visit was the unveiling of the APEC Singapore 2009 Orchid, named “Trichocentrum APEC Singapore”. A write-up of the APEC Singapore 2009 Orchid is attached at Annex B.

6    The Leaders’ spouses were also treated to a special degustation menu specially created by Chef Foo Jong Kwang of Goodwood Park Hotel which showcase Singapore’s unique culinary offerings and offered a delectable sampling of local delights. The menu is attached at Annex C.

APEC SINGAPORE 2009 ORGANISING COMMITTEE
14 NOVEMBER 2009

For Media Enquiries, please contact:

Ms Yvonne Chung
APEC Singapore 2009 Organising Committee
Tel: 9133 4753
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

ANNEX A

LIST OF SPOUSES OF LEADERS ATTENDING THE AELM PARTICIPATING IN THE SPOUSE PROGRAMME ON 14 NOVEMBER 2009

Spouses:

1.    Mdm Therese Rein (spouse of Prime Minister of Australia, HE Kevin Rudd)
2.    Mrs Laureen Harper (spouse of Prime Minister of Canada, Rt Hon Stephen Harper)
3.    Mrs Selina Tsang (spouse of Chief Executive of Hong Kong, China, HE Donald Tsang)
4.    Mrs Ani Bambang Yudhoyono (spouse of President of Indonesia, HE Dr Susilo Bambang)
5.    Mrs Miyuki Hatoyama (spouse of Prime Minister of Japan, HE Yukio Hatoyama)
6.    Mdm Kim Yoon-ok (spouse of President of Korea, HE Lee Myung-bak)
7.    Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah (spouse of Prime Minister of Malaysia, HE Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak)
8.    Mdm Margarita Zavala (spouse of President of Mexico, HE Felipe Calderon)
9.    Mrs Bronagh Key (spouse of Prime Minister of New Zealand, HE John Key)
10.    Mrs Lien Fang Yui (spouse of Special Envoy of Chinese Taipei, HE Dr Lien Chan)
11.    Dr Pimpen Vejjajiva (spouse of Prime Minister of Thailand, HE Abhisit Vejjajiva)
12.    Mdm Tran Thi Kim Chi (spouse of President of Vietnam, HE Nguyen Minh Triet)

Host:
1.    Mrs. Lee Hsien Loong  (spouse of Singapore Prime Minister)

ANNEX B

Trichocentrum APEC Singapore 2009

This is a strong, vigorous growing hybrid.  Each plant has several tough, large and prominent upright leaves.  The upright flowering shoots are from 40 to 60 cm long with three to five branches each.  A flowering shoot bears 10 to 30 flowers that are each about 3.5 to 4.0 cm across.  The flowers are uniquely reddish-brown on a background of yellowish-green.  All floral lobes have margins that are finely frilly.  The broad and prominent lip is a bright yellow with spots of maroon.

Named Trichocentrum APEC Singapore 2009 to commemorate APEC Singapore 2009, it was shown to the Leaders’ spouses during the Leaders’ spouse programme.

ANNEX C

Menu prepared by Chef Foo Jong Kwang of Goodwood Park

Singapore Sampler
Appetiser platter of favourite Singapore delights comprising Chicken Satay, Kueh Pie Tee, Gado Gado, and Chilli Crab with “Man Tou”.

The highlight of this dish is the chilli crab with “man tou”. The dish is adapted into a bite-sized “man tou bowl”, by encasing the chilli crab and sauce in the “man tou”.

Singapore Laksa
Singapore style noodle dish of thick vermicelli in spicy coconut gravy

Hainanese Chicken Rice
Chicken rice prepared in the traditional Hainanese style served with poached chicken, rice ball, soup and condiments like chilli, garlic, black sauce.

Soursop Sorbet & Nonya Kueh
Dessert is a combination of refreshing soursop sorbet and sweet “nonya kueh”. Soursop was used to make the sorbet as it is a tropical fruit and its tangy-sweet taste helps to cleanse the palate, before they tuck into the heavier glutinous “nonya kueh”.

Coffee / Tea with Pineapple Tarts
Instead of the usual cookie or biscotti, a local twist is given by pairing the after-meal drink with a traditional Chinese New Year or Hari Raya treat, the pineapple tart.