High-level Seminar on Asian Regional Financial Integration - Courtesy Call on Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong

Singapore, 3 September 2005...A delegation comprising Ministers, Central Bank Governors and senior officials from the region, as well as from the IMF and the Asian Development Bank called on Mr Goh Chok Tong, Senior Minister and Chairman, Monetary Authority of Singapore today at the Istana. The delegates from 14 Asian economies had attended a highlevel seminar on Asian regional financial integration which was jointly hosted by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

2  During the call, the leaders expressed optimism towards the economic prospects of Southeast Asia and agreed that greater economic integration among the ASEAN countries would benefit Asia.

3  The leaders also reviewed the state of relations among the Northeast Asian countries. There was agreement that greater cooperation among these countries would benefit the region, Asia and the international community.

4  On South Asia, the meeting was briefed on the region's commitment to economic reforms.

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