GERMAN luxury car maker BMW is supplying close to 300 cars to ferry delegates attending a series of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) meetings Singapore is hosting this year.

BMW Asia held a handing over ceremony on Friday morning for the fleet of 295 Beemers, consisting of 7-series and 5-series cars.

It is one of the biggest car sponsorships of its kind here. But unlike previous occasions, when such cars are sold to the general public at discounted rates, the 295 BMWs will be kept for other similar events stretching into next year.

The cars will therefore not be registered, but will wear special number plates here. Even so, the sponsorship is a sizeable monetary commitment, costing an estimated $18 million, based on the cost of the vehicles before registration taxes.

BMW has been the biggest sponsor of national events. Starting with the World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference held here in 1996, the company has supplied between 1,500 and 2,000 cars.

In 2006, it supplied well over 500 cars for the International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings here.

BMW Asia managing director Johannes Seibert described that as 'one of the biggest projects of its kind undertaken by BMW anywhere in the world'.

The German company also supplied cars for three airshows held here.

Apec Singapore 2009 will see some 12,000 participants attending 114 meetings here. The event will culminate with a forum in November to be attended by leaders from 21 member nations.