Bangkok--Dec 14--UNISBKK
The Executive Secretary of UNESCAP, Mr Kim Hak-Su will present a year-end report--- "Key Economic Developments and Prospects in the Asia-Pacific Region"--- designed to review the region's economic performance in 2005 and provide prospects for 2006-2007.
The media conference is scheduled for Wednesday, 14 December at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok at 9.30 a.m.
The main issues confronting the economies of the ESCAP region this year
will be highlighted and prospects for next year discussed.
Some issues: high and volatile oil prices, the impact of a precipitate
unwinding of the global current account imbalances, subsequent exchange rate realignments led by a revaluation of the Chinese renminbi, the emergence of avian influenza as a pandemic in the region and what happens next with the WTO trade liberalization agenda in the context of the many bilateral and subregional trade agreements that have been recently completed in the region.
Although the region is facing uncertainties, prospects for the ESCAP region for 2006 indicate that output growth is likely to maintain its current
resilience while price pressures should abate despite continuing high energy and commodity prices.
"Within the ESCAP region, South-East Asia, the developed countries and the Pacific island countries should experience a slight acceleration in their GDP growth rates in 2006, growth in South and South-West Asia should remain unchanged while North and Central Asia and East and North-East Asia are likely to experience a mild deceleration," said the Report.
Produced by UNESCAP's Poverty and Development Division, the publication
will provide an overview of the most important economic issues that faced the region in the current year.
NOTE TO EDITORS
You or your representatives are cordially invited to attend the launch of
the "Key Economic Developments and Prospects in the Asia-Pacific Region" on Wednesday, 14 December 2005 at 0930 hours, Theatre, United Nations Conference Centre, Rajadamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok. Refreshments will be served.
For further information please contact:
Mr. Ravi Ratnayake
Director, Poverty and Development Division
UNESCAP, United Nations Building, Bangkok
Tel: +(66-2) 288-1902
Email: [email protected]
For media inquiries, please contact:
David Lazarus
Chief, UN Information Services/Bangkok
United Nations Building, Bangkok
Tel: +(66-2) 288-1861, 1864, 1866, 1869
Email: [email protected] End.