ID :
16499
Wed, 08/20/2008 - 18:02
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/16499
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ASEAN NEEDS TO BE STRONG TO WOO INVESTORS
SINGAPORE, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- Asean members must make the region strong and integrated if they want to attract foreign investors, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Wednesday.
"Compared to other regions, Asean countries are only tiny blips on the radar screens of investors.
"We have to struggle to attract their attention and get our share of investments, jobs and growth," he said when opening the 29th AseanInter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) General Assembly.
He said collectively Asean would "form a bigger blip on the radar screens and become a more attractive and worthwhile economic partner, whether for multi national companies or other countries." Lee said while Asean had been successful in many areas since it was formed 40 years ago, it was not time yet for the grouping to rest on its laurels as the economic powerhouses in Asia - China and India - were pushing aheadwith tremendous confidence and drive.
"China's economic strength is well-known. Now through hosting the Olympics, it has shown the world the talents, energy and organisational prowess of itspeople.
"India's economy too has considerable dynamism and is moving up in terms of skills and technology though India's more complex political scene makes itseconomic transformation harder," he said.
The prime minister hoped Asean members would adhere to the roadmap and timetable towards establishing an Asean Economic Community by 2015, turning itinto a single market and production base.
He said this would help Asean hold on its own in an increasinglycompetitive and globalised world and "to stay in the game".
He told Asean parliamentarians to play their role to move the 10-member grouping closer to its common goal by supporting policies that would integrate their countries and in particular implementation of Asean agreements which inseveral member countries had to be ratified by the legislature.
Lee said while parliamentarians might belong to different political parties,Asean cooperation was a non-partisan issue which they all could support.
Currently, the Asean Charter which the grouping designed last year to transform the loose association into a rule-based coalition, has so far beenratified by seven of its 10 members.
Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines have yet to ratify the charter.
These countries need to bring the charter to their legislative bodies for approval before they could ratify it but they are having difficulty in doing itbecause of domestic political situation.
Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan said here recently the ratification process was on course and believed it would be fully ratified before the 14thAsean Summit in Bangkok at the end of this year.
Lee said it was equally important for Asean parliamentarians to know the people in member states and hopefully when Asean matters come before them for a vote in their national parliaments it would help them appreciate the issuesbetter.
"Compared to other regions, Asean countries are only tiny blips on the radar screens of investors.
"We have to struggle to attract their attention and get our share of investments, jobs and growth," he said when opening the 29th AseanInter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) General Assembly.
He said collectively Asean would "form a bigger blip on the radar screens and become a more attractive and worthwhile economic partner, whether for multi national companies or other countries." Lee said while Asean had been successful in many areas since it was formed 40 years ago, it was not time yet for the grouping to rest on its laurels as the economic powerhouses in Asia - China and India - were pushing aheadwith tremendous confidence and drive.
"China's economic strength is well-known. Now through hosting the Olympics, it has shown the world the talents, energy and organisational prowess of itspeople.
"India's economy too has considerable dynamism and is moving up in terms of skills and technology though India's more complex political scene makes itseconomic transformation harder," he said.
The prime minister hoped Asean members would adhere to the roadmap and timetable towards establishing an Asean Economic Community by 2015, turning itinto a single market and production base.
He said this would help Asean hold on its own in an increasinglycompetitive and globalised world and "to stay in the game".
He told Asean parliamentarians to play their role to move the 10-member grouping closer to its common goal by supporting policies that would integrate their countries and in particular implementation of Asean agreements which inseveral member countries had to be ratified by the legislature.
Lee said while parliamentarians might belong to different political parties,Asean cooperation was a non-partisan issue which they all could support.
Currently, the Asean Charter which the grouping designed last year to transform the loose association into a rule-based coalition, has so far beenratified by seven of its 10 members.
Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines have yet to ratify the charter.
These countries need to bring the charter to their legislative bodies for approval before they could ratify it but they are having difficulty in doing itbecause of domestic political situation.
Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan said here recently the ratification process was on course and believed it would be fully ratified before the 14thAsean Summit in Bangkok at the end of this year.
Lee said it was equally important for Asean parliamentarians to know the people in member states and hopefully when Asean matters come before them for a vote in their national parliaments it would help them appreciate the issuesbetter.
