..Press Release................................ UNESCAP News Services

Date 1 August 2007
Press Release No: N/37/2007

UN-sponsered Meeting to Promote Intraregional Trade in Asia-Pacific

UNESCAP Expert Group Meeting Takes Place in Kunming, 1-3 August

Bangkok (United Nations Information Services) – Over the past decade, the Asia-Pacific region has witnessed rapid economic growth driven by strong external demand. During this period, intraregional trade in Asia has also grown considerably. However, there is still room for Asian countries to strengthen their trade relationships, especially through the elimination of trade barriers within the region.

In an effort to promote intraregional trade, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) is convening an Expert Group Meeting on Promoting Trade between Asian Subregions in the city of Kunming, China, from 1 to 3 August. This event is organized in collaboration with the Research Office of the government of Yunnan Province, China.

Twenty senior officials, academics and representatives from the private sector from the Asia-Pacific region are expected to attend the meeting which will focus on trade facilitation, agriculture and innovation − three major issues related to promoting trade between East, South and South-East Asia. The experts aim to identify policies which can improve the efficiency of trade. These include promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises, and simplification of procedures for the international transport of goods.

The meeting will be opened by Mr. Xuan Zengpei, Director of the Trade and Investment Division of UNESCAP, and Mr. Che Zhimin, Vice Secretary General of the People’s Government of Yunnan Province.

For coverage of the meeting, please contact:

Brian Thomson
United Nations Information Service
Tel: (662) 228 – 1869
E-mail: thomsonb@un.org

For further information on promoting trade between Asian subregions, please contact:

Peng Bin
Economic Affairs Officer
Trade Efficiency and Facilitation Section
Trade and Investment Division
Tel: (662) 288 – 2456
E-mail: pengb@un.org