Asian economic integration needs 50 years
(DPA)
7 April 2007
BEIJING - Asian nations will need at least 50 years to complete economic integration because of a wide variation of economic and social conditions, state media on Saturday quoted the head of the Boââ¬â¢ao Forum for Asia as saying.
ââ¬ËUnlike European Union members, Asian countries have very different historical and cultural backgrounds, economic development and value systems,ââ¬â¢ the China Daily newspaper quoted Boââ¬â¢ao Secretary- General Long Yongtu as saying.
Instead of seeking immediate unification of currency policies, which often symbolizes economic integration, Asian countries should first increase cooperation in infrastructure and personnel exchanges, Long said.
A free-trade area set up by China and East Asian nations was the ââ¬Ëfirst step towards integrationââ¬â¢, he said.
Long was speaking ahead of the sixth annual Boââ¬â¢ao forum, which is scheduled from April 20-22 in Chinaââ¬â¢s southern island province of Hainan.
The forum has already ââ¬Ëplayed a unique roleââ¬â¢ in facilitating economic integration of Asian countries, he said.
This yearââ¬â¢s forum will focus on innovation and sustainable development, Long was quoted as saying.
Topics will include sustainable social and economic development, the impact of growth and innovation on specific industries, corporate social responsibility, and ââ¬Ëgreen agendasââ¬â¢, he said.
The Boââ¬â¢ao forum has been held annually in Hainan since 2002.
Its founders hope it will evolve into an Asian version of the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/Display...l/business_April154.xml§ion=business&col=
(DPA)
7 April 2007
BEIJING - Asian nations will need at least 50 years to complete economic integration because of a wide variation of economic and social conditions, state media on Saturday quoted the head of the Boââ¬â¢ao Forum for Asia as saying.
ââ¬ËUnlike European Union members, Asian countries have very different historical and cultural backgrounds, economic development and value systems,ââ¬â¢ the China Daily newspaper quoted Boââ¬â¢ao Secretary- General Long Yongtu as saying.
Instead of seeking immediate unification of currency policies, which often symbolizes economic integration, Asian countries should first increase cooperation in infrastructure and personnel exchanges, Long said.
A free-trade area set up by China and East Asian nations was the ââ¬Ëfirst step towards integrationââ¬â¢, he said.
Long was speaking ahead of the sixth annual Boââ¬â¢ao forum, which is scheduled from April 20-22 in Chinaââ¬â¢s southern island province of Hainan.
The forum has already ââ¬Ëplayed a unique roleââ¬â¢ in facilitating economic integration of Asian countries, he said.
This yearââ¬â¢s forum will focus on innovation and sustainable development, Long was quoted as saying.
Topics will include sustainable social and economic development, the impact of growth and innovation on specific industries, corporate social responsibility, and ââ¬Ëgreen agendasââ¬â¢, he said.
The Boââ¬â¢ao forum has been held annually in Hainan since 2002.
Its founders hope it will evolve into an Asian version of the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/Display...l/business_April154.xml§ion=business&col=
