World leaders to analyse Asia's economic growth
Sunday, June 24, 2007
POLITICAL and business leaders from Asia and the world started arriving in Singapore yesterday for the 16th World Economic Forum (WEF) on East Asia to examine the regions growth and effect on the global power equation.
The meeting brings together 300 delegates from 25 countries today and tomorrow.
According to Lee Howell, head of Asia for the WEF, the meeting is about setting an agenda 10 years after the financial crisis in Southeast Asia.
"It has been 10 years since the financial crisis and we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations," he said.
The crisis which started in Thailand in July 1997 adversely affected output, stock markets, currencies and other asset prices across most of the region, sending Southeast Asian economies into a tailspin.
"We are going to look back a little and really focus on the future," Howell said. The forum "will look at how Asia is shifting the global power equation and the implications going forward", he added.
Participants will explore four themes Asian leadership, risk management, sustainable growth and the challenge of competitiveness for economies.
"We hope to identify the leadership opportunities and challenges that will shape an Asian century," Howell said.
Among those taking part in the two-day economic forum are leaders from the Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, India, Japan and China.
DPA
The meeting brings together 300 delegates from 25 countries today and tomorrow.
According to Lee Howell, head of Asia for the WEF, the meeting is about setting an agenda 10 years after the financial crisis in Southeast Asia.
"It has been 10 years since the financial crisis and we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations," he said.
The crisis which started in Thailand in July 1997 adversely affected output, stock markets, currencies and other asset prices across most of the region, sending Southeast Asian economies into a tailspin.
"We are going to look back a little and really focus on the future," Howell said. The forum "will look at how Asia is shifting the global power equation and the implications going forward", he added.
Participants will explore four themes Asian leadership, risk management, sustainable growth and the challenge of competitiveness for economies.
"We hope to identify the leadership opportunities and challenges that will shape an Asian century," Howell said.
Among those taking part in the two-day economic forum are leaders from the Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, India, Japan and China.
DPA
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