South Asian economies could emerge as 'new tigers' of Asia: ADB
Published: October 19, 2006
MANILA, Philippines Improved governance, better quality of infrastructure and impressive growth rates could propel South Asian economies to become Asia's "new tigers," the Asian Development Bank said Thursday.
Led by India and Pakistan, South Asia has registered higher growth than its peers in Southeast Asia in the past five years, the Manila-based lender said in a report.
"South Asia stands at a critical juncture today, where the potential for sustained high growth and poverty reduction is excellent," said Kunio Senga, director general of ADB's South Asia Department.
Last year, the region registered growth of 8.1 percent, above Asia's average gross domestic product growth of 7.6 percent.
In India and Pakistan, economic growth accelerated to 8.4 percent and 8.6 percent, respectively, the ADB said, while most other countries in the region have been on a similar trend although with more modest improvements.
The bank noted that despite a shift toward liberalization, the region continues to be overregulated and is therefore not fully realizing its growth potential.
For example, in Southeast Asia it takes an average of five official signatures to export goods and seven signatures to import goods, while in South Asia the number required is 12 to export and 24 to import, the ADB said.
It said that common problems in the South Asian region include bureaucracy, a lack of coordination between government agencies, overstaffing and inadequate pay in the public sector.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/10/19/business/AS_FIN_ECO_South_Asia_Economies.php
Published: October 19, 2006
MANILA, Philippines Improved governance, better quality of infrastructure and impressive growth rates could propel South Asian economies to become Asia's "new tigers," the Asian Development Bank said Thursday.
Led by India and Pakistan, South Asia has registered higher growth than its peers in Southeast Asia in the past five years, the Manila-based lender said in a report.
"South Asia stands at a critical juncture today, where the potential for sustained high growth and poverty reduction is excellent," said Kunio Senga, director general of ADB's South Asia Department.
Last year, the region registered growth of 8.1 percent, above Asia's average gross domestic product growth of 7.6 percent.
In India and Pakistan, economic growth accelerated to 8.4 percent and 8.6 percent, respectively, the ADB said, while most other countries in the region have been on a similar trend although with more modest improvements.
The bank noted that despite a shift toward liberalization, the region continues to be overregulated and is therefore not fully realizing its growth potential.
For example, in Southeast Asia it takes an average of five official signatures to export goods and seven signatures to import goods, while in South Asia the number required is 12 to export and 24 to import, the ADB said.
It said that common problems in the South Asian region include bureaucracy, a lack of coordination between government agencies, overstaffing and inadequate pay in the public sector.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/10/19/business/AS_FIN_ECO_South_Asia_Economies.php
