ECONOMIC SUMMIT : Commitment from East Asian giants appreciated

ECONOMIC SUMMIT : Commitment from East Asian giants appreciated.

ACHARA ASHAYAGACHAT

Cebu, the Philippines : Thailand has welcomed the strong commitment made by the three East Asian economic giants China, Japan and South Korea that they would see to it that construction of all the major infrastructure network links with Asean are completed within the next 15 years. Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont expressed appreciation to his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao who pledged to implement all the strategic transportation plans that have been drawn up to link China and the Asean countries within the next 10-15 years at the Asean-China summit yesterday.

China has provided 8.7 million yuan for feasibility studies on the two missing sections of the Singapore-Kunming rail link inside Cambodia and Burma.

Beijing's contribution for half of the construction cost of the Mekong bridge crossing Huay Xai in Laos and Chiang Khong in Thailand, due to be completed at the end of next year, was also welcome, Gen Surayud said.

He was also impressed with Seoul's provision of US$1.2 million for a feasibility study on a 203km-long rail link from Dan Namtok in Kanchanaburi's Sai Yok district to the Three Pagoda Pass on the Thai-Burmese border that connects with Burma's Thanbyuzayat (about 352km southeast of Rangoon).

At the Asean-India summit, the Thai leader also encouraged the completion of the strategic India-Burma-Thailand road network since its development would increase economic activity and greatly benefit people along the route.

Thailand has financed the construction of the 18km-long section of the Myawaddy-Thaton-Pa-an-Kawkareik road, but there still remain some 42 kilometres to be paved to complete the tri-nation road network.

Japan has shown interest in the project, while Thailand and Burma have courted India and asked it to finance construction of the missing road link.

This would also provide a basis for forging an East Asian Community, Foreign Ministry sources noted, and the free trade area that Asean was working out with these dialogue partners, including Japan, would act as a blood vessel for broader regional integration. Asean countries hope to complete the signing of the FTA with Japan by March or April.

At yesterday's summit with Asean, India agreed to speed up the delayed FTA negotiation with the grouping by promising to come up with new tariff reduction proposals in July.

Gen Surayud, together with his Asean colleagues, are to discuss energy security, disaster management, and bird flu prevention with leaders of the three East Asian countries, and also India, Australia and New Zealand before flying home.

Bangkok Post
Monday January 15, 2007