East Asia Summit to discuss FTA between Asian nations: SM Goh
04 November 2005
East Asia Summit to discuss FTA between Asian nations: SM Goh
By May Wong, Channel NewsAsia
Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said the East Asia Summit next month would discuss the possibility of a Free Trade Agreement between East Asian countries.
Discussions would also include terrorism and how more developed East Asian nations could help the less developed such as Vietnam.
Senior Minister Goh was speaking in an interview with Japan’s Asahi Shimbun last week.
Mr Goh cited four reasons for the importance of East Asia Summit.
It is the first such meeting and the summit is an open and inclusive organisation.
Moreover the definition of East Asia is a political one, which includes countries like India and Australia.
Finally, the summit will allow member countries to adjust to changes in this region and work out a shared vision for Asia.
Mr Goh was also asked what Japan could do to tackle the Indian market.
He said Japan should work with Singapore to break into the Indian market because Singapore understood India better.
SM Goh will be going to Tokyo next week to take part in the Nomura Singapore Seminar where he will alert Japanese companies to the potential opportunities in India. - CNA /ch
