i. What is ASEAN? Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
ii. How many members do they have? Initially 5, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Now, they have 10, with Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.
iii. Is it important? With only 3% of the land, they have almost 9% of the population of the world. If considered as a single country, it would rank among the first 10 in almost every economical aspect.
iv. Do they have outer links? Yes, mainly with Russia.
The WEO and IMF are forecasting more than 5% GDP growth for the ASEAN 5 group for this year, well above the US figures and getting close to China.
We may try to stay in our places fighting against "the trend", or we may well follow it realizing that everything is easier if we are helped by the macro scenario.
ii. How many members do they have? Initially 5, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Now, they have 10, with Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.
iii. Is it important? With only 3% of the land, they have almost 9% of the population of the world. If considered as a single country, it would rank among the first 10 in almost every economical aspect.
iv. Do they have outer links? Yes, mainly with Russia.
The WEO and IMF are forecasting more than 5% GDP growth for the ASEAN 5 group for this year, well above the US figures and getting close to China.
We may try to stay in our places fighting against "the trend", or we may well follow it realizing that everything is easier if we are helped by the macro scenario.
