World Economic Forum on East Asia 2012

The 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) together form a region of strategic and economic importance with a combined population of over 600 million and a nominal GDP exceeding US$ 1.8 trillion. With its ASEAN Economic Blueprint, the bloc has established concrete targets to form a single market and production base by 2015.

However, leaders from the region face the shared challenges of resource scarcity and climate change. At the same time, the importance of enabling financial and regional connectivity, and the transition to low-carbon economies are priorities for ensuring sustained and inclusive growth. Located at the heart of ASEAN and representing its second largest economy, Thailand is an ideal place to deliberate how leaders from across the region can collaborate to address these issues.

• How will government and institutions develop the financial policies to manage inflation, capital outflows and rebalanced growth towards greater domestic and regional demand?

• How will improved infrastructure and trade facilitation across the region lead to better integration both within ASEAN and with strategic partners such as China and India?

The World Economic Forum on East Asia 2012 will be held from May 30 through June 1, 2012 in Bankok, Thailand.

For more information, please e-mail: EastAsia@weforum.org