ID :
153598
Thu, 12/16/2010 - 05:51
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/153598
The shortlink copeid
ASIA-MIDDLE EAST HAS COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES
By Jamaluddin Muhammad
BANGKOK, Dec 15 (Bernama) -- With a combined Growth Domestic Product of US$8
trillion, Asia and Middle East have the competitive advantage to generate a
sustainable economic growth and development, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva
said Wednesday.
He said the two regions hold more than 60 per cent of the world's total
international reserves and a combined sovereign wealth fund of over US$3
trillion.
Abhisit said the competitive advantage could be achieved if both regions
evolve and strengthen their trade and investment partnership.
"Such complementary potential would bring about greater trade and business
opportunities for our people," he said when opening the two-day Asia Middle East
Dialogue (AMED III) at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre here.
He said Asia continued to be dynamic and stronger and it was also
becoming the centre of the world's trade while the Middle East continued to be
the source of power and driving force that moved forward the world's economy
and industry.
As the Doha Round remained in stalemate, he said the two regions could use
each other as channels to gain more access to world markets and export their
goods and products to other parts of the world.
Abhisit said this could be done through the free trade agreements they have
with third countries and through the many regional and sub-regional frameworks
they participated in.
The recent global economic slowdown has shown that they need to use their
limited resources with optimal effects, he said.
He said there was a myriad of opportunities for cooperation.
On energy security, Abhisit said the Middle East, Central Asia and North
Africa were valuable sources of natural resources and energy, particularly
petroleum.
As for food, he said Thailand as the world's major food exporter was also
ready to work with all partners to ensure greater global food security.
Abhisit said the Thai government also encouraged the private sector to
produce and export halal food and products with internationally accepted
standards.
He said it was necessary for the two regions to share their experiences and
learn from each other.
"We therefore do not need to look only to the West now because through AMED,
we can look "East-to-East" to find technological advancement and foster economic
development and prosperity," he said.
The premier said through learning from one another, they could create
connectivity and close the physical and mental gaps between them.
"Through embracing differences between us, we find commonalities and utilise
our comparative advantages.
"Together we can find complementarities and bring out the best of ideas,
skills and experiences in each of us for our shared benefits," he said.
-- BERNAMA
BANGKOK, Dec 15 (Bernama) -- With a combined Growth Domestic Product of US$8
trillion, Asia and Middle East have the competitive advantage to generate a
sustainable economic growth and development, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva
said Wednesday.
He said the two regions hold more than 60 per cent of the world's total
international reserves and a combined sovereign wealth fund of over US$3
trillion.
Abhisit said the competitive advantage could be achieved if both regions
evolve and strengthen their trade and investment partnership.
"Such complementary potential would bring about greater trade and business
opportunities for our people," he said when opening the two-day Asia Middle East
Dialogue (AMED III) at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre here.
He said Asia continued to be dynamic and stronger and it was also
becoming the centre of the world's trade while the Middle East continued to be
the source of power and driving force that moved forward the world's economy
and industry.
As the Doha Round remained in stalemate, he said the two regions could use
each other as channels to gain more access to world markets and export their
goods and products to other parts of the world.
Abhisit said this could be done through the free trade agreements they have
with third countries and through the many regional and sub-regional frameworks
they participated in.
The recent global economic slowdown has shown that they need to use their
limited resources with optimal effects, he said.
He said there was a myriad of opportunities for cooperation.
On energy security, Abhisit said the Middle East, Central Asia and North
Africa were valuable sources of natural resources and energy, particularly
petroleum.
As for food, he said Thailand as the world's major food exporter was also
ready to work with all partners to ensure greater global food security.
Abhisit said the Thai government also encouraged the private sector to
produce and export halal food and products with internationally accepted
standards.
He said it was necessary for the two regions to share their experiences and
learn from each other.
"We therefore do not need to look only to the West now because through AMED,
we can look "East-to-East" to find technological advancement and foster economic
development and prosperity," he said.
The premier said through learning from one another, they could create
connectivity and close the physical and mental gaps between them.
"Through embracing differences between us, we find commonalities and utilise
our comparative advantages.
"Together we can find complementarities and bring out the best of ideas,
skills and experiences in each of us for our shared benefits," he said.
-- BERNAMA
