Asean leaders to discuss economic issues in Dubai

Dubai: The fifth Asean Fin-ance Ministers Investor Seminar is due to take place in Dubai on Wednesday.

The event, "Dynamic Asean: Dependable Partners for Sustaining Growth", is supported by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and facilitated by Barclays.

This seminar is attended by policymakers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which include Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

The event will provide an exclusive forum for invest-ors from Dubai and the Gulf to discuss with decision-makers the latest economic and capital market developments in each nation, as well as ongoing regional integration efforts.

In particular, the forum will look at increasing business and investment opportunities in Southeast Asia, and the region's enormous growth potential, which is being spurred by improving macro-economic conditions, increasing intra-regional trade, and greater economic integration.

"To achieve economic success, it is essential to stimulate growth and integration through the close cooperation of all financial centres. Dubai is focused on building links with Asean's member states and enhancing these relationships to help achieve sustainable development and prosperity. We are confident that this event will provide regional businesses access to Asean's fast evolving markets as well as offering our esteemed guests an insight into the Gulf investor's view," said Dr Omar Bin Sulaiman, governor of the DIFC.

Opportunity

"Rapid economic growth of Asean provides an excellent opportunity for ministers to highlight the strong investment case for the Asean region in Dubai. The region's integration into a variety of economic and political networks offers a wide spread of opportunities to investors from the Gulf and elsewhere in the Middle East. The DIFC is definitely the ideal platform for companies from Asean countries as they expand and diversify their investor base. Barclays Capital looks forward to cooperating with the DIFC in this endeavour," said Sir David Wright, vice-chairman, Barclays Capital.

Speakers at the event will include Surin Pitsuwan, secretary general of Asean, as well as a number of finance ministers from Asean members.

The seminar will include discussions, country presentations, one-on-one meetings and small workshops with the ministers from each of the Asean nation.