SE Asia urged to cooperate to counter globalization ills
SE Asia urged to cooperate to counter globalization ills
Agencies, Bangkok
Leaders of Southeast and South Asian nations urged quicker,
closer cooperation in moving toward long-term economic goals as
the best weapon to counter the perils of globalization.
"We need to be wise to the ways of globalization ... forge
closer cooperation, finding our strength, turning adversity into
prosperity," said Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as he
opened the first summit of a regional grouping known by the
acronym BIMST-EC on Saturday.
The summit is discussing ways to bring greater prosperity to
the developing economies of member countries, which include
Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and
Thailand.
Other leaders, including Myanmar's Prime Minister Gen. Khin
Nyunt and Bangladesh's Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, called
on BIMST-EC to be more pro-active.
Topping the agenda are talks on tourism, traditional medicine
and energy investment. Also up for discussion are investment
opportunities in aviation, transport and the technology sectors,
exchanges of know-how and new opportunities in agriculture and
fisheries.
The leaders agreed that tourism, emphasizing the region's rich
cultural heritage, could be a top revenue earner.
Khin Nyunt said tourism could help alleviate poverty by
creating job opportunities and higher income in rural areas.
But the Mynamar leader shunned the international clamor for
the release of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi by completely
ignoring the issue.
Khin Nyunt spoke only of Asian economic cooperation and
extolled the beaches, mountain ranges and attractions of Myanmar,
which has been hit by an informal tourism boycott because of the
military's democracy crackdown.
Khin Nyunt used his speech to highlight close links with the
country's Asian neighbors -- compared to the United States and
Europe which have led criticism of the regime.
"It is indeed an honor and a pleasure for me to take part in
today's historic meeting to exchange views on how to further
strengthen our cooperation," he was quoted as saying by AFP.
In a meeting with Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on
Friday, General Khin Nyunt said Aung San Suu Kyi would be
released at a time of the regime's choosing.
The need to seek new sources of energy to meet growing demands
in expanding economies was also emphasized.
BIMST-EC was initiated by Thailand seven years ago with the
aim of enhancing the region's economic growth and gaining
bargaining power in the global trade arena.