Download H.E. Sadasivan Premjith- Presentation

TH
7
ASIA ECONOMIC
FORUM:
Asia’s Search for Leadership
Synergy
By Premjith Sadasivan, Singapore Ambassador to Cambodia
BROAD STORY OF ASIA
Strong focus on development since 1960s
 Striking continuity of high growth in ASEAN
- Sustained Increases in GDP, Trade And Investments
 Opening Up and Rise of China and India
 Stable Big Power Relationships in Asia
 Global Political and Economic Order Becoming More
Fluid
- e.g. G7-led vs G20-led process
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HETEROGENEOUS ASIA
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4 poles: China, India, Japan and ASEAN
Maritime and territorial disputes amongst
Asian countries
Economic disparities/differentials in the region
ASEAN’s catalytic role in diffusing risks
through multiple institutional frameworks and
anchoring major powers stably in the
international system
ASEAN AT THE CORE OF
REGIONAL INTEGRATION
Convener and Facilitator of Inter-State Relations:
- Building of Asean and East Asian Communities
- Regional Fora - ASEAN Regional (Security) Forum,
ASEAN+3, ASEAN+6 (EAS)
- Various Functional cooperation initiatives such as
Chiang Mai Initiative, ASEAN + 3 Free Trade
Agreement, as well as comprehensive economic
partnership for EAS (ASEAN +6)
 Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity – road, rail, sea
and air.
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Medium and Long Term Benefits
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With better connectivity, comes a new virtuous
economic cycle – new economic corridors
leading to more trade, tourism, capital and
investments
More importantly, this might lead to closer
political cooperation and new agreements
Progressively, higher level of regional
consciousness
What More Can We Do To
Achieve Synergy
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Synergy from regional integration – shared interests
Need to Move Faster on FTAs and ASEAN
Connectivity
External Dimension to ASEAN Connectivity
Build a resilient regional architecture that can
moderate, balance and mediate across different
theatres – political, economic and security
Constant adaptation and adjustment by ASEAN of
frameworks and processes in times of change
What More Can We Do to
Achieve Synergy
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Work towards a stable multipolarity with
ASEAN at the centre
Commitment to coordinate issues that have
global significance
Forge stronger institutional links between
regional and international groupings
Keep markets open and resist the return to
protectionism in times of economic crises