Economic and social survey of Asia and the Pacific 2007 : surging in ahead in uncertain times
United Nations, Economic & Social Commission for Asia & the Pacific
Economic and social survey of Asia and the Pacific 2007 : surging in ahead in uncertain times Book - Delhi Academic Foundation 2007 - xxi,166,iiip.
Foreword ..- ..- iii Acknowledgements ..- iv Executive summary ..- .. v Chapter 1. Regional economic developments and prospects .. 1 Fastest growth in the world - 7.9% in 2006 ..- .. 1 Successfully fighting inflation- 3 Living with high oil prices..- .. 5 Pressure on currencies to appreciate ..- 9 Record level of foreign reserves- .. 11 Strong exports - but high oil prices take a toll on current accounts .. 11 Getting the best out of bilateral and regional trade agreements 12 Outlook for 2007 - continuing dynamism amid rising risks . 17 Inflation - less of a problem ..- 18 Managing exchange rates - the biggest challenge in 2007.. 18 Current account surpluses - to deteriorate slightly 19 Downside risks not to be ignored ..- . 19 Key economic issues on the watch list ..- 22 Monitoring vulnerability to currency crises ..- .. 22 Boosting domestic demand through private investment, especially in East Asia.. 25 Reaping the one-off demographic dividend ..- 30 Managing urban growth ..- 33 Promoting green growth to sustain development- .. 34 Appendix 1: Composite index of vulnerability to currency crisis - concept and measurement ..- .. 37 References ..- .. 38 Chapter 2. Subregional performance, challenges and policies .. 41 Widespread growth across Asia and the Pacific 41 East and North-East Asia - external demand boosts growth 43 Excess liquidity keeps the heat on.- .. 44 Current accounts remain in surplus ..- .. 46 Weaker global demand poses a risk for medium-term prospects . 47 Policy research feature 2.1: China's wake-up call to exporters in the Asia-Pacific region ..- . 49 North and Central Asia - oil and gas fuel spectacular growth 55 High and rising inflation widespread ..- .. 56 Current account surpluses for oil exporters - workers' remittances boost external revenues for others ..- 58 Foreign direct investment flows in ..- . 58 Foreign debt burden eases..- 59 Medium-term prospects are strong ..- 60 Pacific island countries - robust growth, continuing challenges .. 61 External sector set to gain from the partnership with the European Union . 63 Impact of higher oil prices ..- .. 64 Policy research feature 2.2: The challenge of urbanization.. 66 South and South-West Asia - growth momentum sustained 70 Least developed countries forge ahead ..- . 71 High oil prices sustained inflationary pressures .. 72 Budget deficit - a serious problem in several countries .. 74 Current account deficits widen due to high oil prices. 75 Outlook for 2007 - growth expected to remain strong 76 Policy research feature 2.3: Electricity and roads to reduce rural poverty . 77 South-East Asia - growth accelerates on the back of strong exports .. 79 Higher oil prices - a catalyst for rethinking monetary policy 80 External sector helped by strong global economy 81 Medium-term prospects - dependence on global demand raises concerns .. 83 Policy research feature 2.4: Developing East Asian corporate bond markets 10 years after the crisis..- 85 Developed countries - modest growth but Japan's revival bodes well for the Asia-Pacific region ..- .. 92 Policy research feature 2.5: Are inequality and poverty rising in Japan? .. 95 References ..- 100 Chapter 3. Gender inequality continues - at great cost 103 Economic and social costs of gender discrimination '.. 104 Cost of restrictions on labour force participation - 2- 7 billion a year.. 104 Cost of gender gaps in education - 6- 0 billion a year . 105 Cost of restrictions on access to health services 107 Social costs of gender discrimination ..- 107 Progress towards narrowing the gender gap . 108 Economic participation - women's autonomy is the key to success.. 108 Educational attainment - a large gap, greater effort required .. 111 Health and survival - the gender gap exacerbated 112 Voice and empowerment - a wider gap- 119 Eliminating gender discrimination - policy recommendations .. 126 Improve access to education ..- .. 126 Improve access to health care ..- . 126 Enhance economic participation of women 127 Enhance access to material resources ..- .. 127 Take steps to empower women by facilitating social mobilization.. 128 Hear the voice of women..- . 128 References ..- .. 129 Statistical annex ..- 131
8171886449
330.0723 / U.N.
Economic and social survey of Asia and the Pacific 2007 : surging in ahead in uncertain times Book - Delhi Academic Foundation 2007 - xxi,166,iiip.
Foreword ..- ..- iii Acknowledgements ..- iv Executive summary ..- .. v Chapter 1. Regional economic developments and prospects .. 1 Fastest growth in the world - 7.9% in 2006 ..- .. 1 Successfully fighting inflation- 3 Living with high oil prices..- .. 5 Pressure on currencies to appreciate ..- 9 Record level of foreign reserves- .. 11 Strong exports - but high oil prices take a toll on current accounts .. 11 Getting the best out of bilateral and regional trade agreements 12 Outlook for 2007 - continuing dynamism amid rising risks . 17 Inflation - less of a problem ..- 18 Managing exchange rates - the biggest challenge in 2007.. 18 Current account surpluses - to deteriorate slightly 19 Downside risks not to be ignored ..- . 19 Key economic issues on the watch list ..- 22 Monitoring vulnerability to currency crises ..- .. 22 Boosting domestic demand through private investment, especially in East Asia.. 25 Reaping the one-off demographic dividend ..- 30 Managing urban growth ..- 33 Promoting green growth to sustain development- .. 34 Appendix 1: Composite index of vulnerability to currency crisis - concept and measurement ..- .. 37 References ..- .. 38 Chapter 2. Subregional performance, challenges and policies .. 41 Widespread growth across Asia and the Pacific 41 East and North-East Asia - external demand boosts growth 43 Excess liquidity keeps the heat on.- .. 44 Current accounts remain in surplus ..- .. 46 Weaker global demand poses a risk for medium-term prospects . 47 Policy research feature 2.1: China's wake-up call to exporters in the Asia-Pacific region ..- . 49 North and Central Asia - oil and gas fuel spectacular growth 55 High and rising inflation widespread ..- .. 56 Current account surpluses for oil exporters - workers' remittances boost external revenues for others ..- 58 Foreign direct investment flows in ..- . 58 Foreign debt burden eases..- 59 Medium-term prospects are strong ..- 60 Pacific island countries - robust growth, continuing challenges .. 61 External sector set to gain from the partnership with the European Union . 63 Impact of higher oil prices ..- .. 64 Policy research feature 2.2: The challenge of urbanization.. 66 South and South-West Asia - growth momentum sustained 70 Least developed countries forge ahead ..- . 71 High oil prices sustained inflationary pressures .. 72 Budget deficit - a serious problem in several countries .. 74 Current account deficits widen due to high oil prices. 75 Outlook for 2007 - growth expected to remain strong 76 Policy research feature 2.3: Electricity and roads to reduce rural poverty . 77 South-East Asia - growth accelerates on the back of strong exports .. 79 Higher oil prices - a catalyst for rethinking monetary policy 80 External sector helped by strong global economy 81 Medium-term prospects - dependence on global demand raises concerns .. 83 Policy research feature 2.4: Developing East Asian corporate bond markets 10 years after the crisis..- 85 Developed countries - modest growth but Japan's revival bodes well for the Asia-Pacific region ..- .. 92 Policy research feature 2.5: Are inequality and poverty rising in Japan? .. 95 References ..- 100 Chapter 3. Gender inequality continues - at great cost 103 Economic and social costs of gender discrimination '.. 104 Cost of restrictions on labour force participation - 2- 7 billion a year.. 104 Cost of gender gaps in education - 6- 0 billion a year . 105 Cost of restrictions on access to health services 107 Social costs of gender discrimination ..- 107 Progress towards narrowing the gender gap . 108 Economic participation - women's autonomy is the key to success.. 108 Educational attainment - a large gap, greater effort required .. 111 Health and survival - the gender gap exacerbated 112 Voice and empowerment - a wider gap- 119 Eliminating gender discrimination - policy recommendations .. 126 Improve access to education ..- .. 126 Improve access to health care ..- . 126 Enhance economic participation of women 127 Enhance access to material resources ..- .. 127 Take steps to empower women by facilitating social mobilization.. 128 Hear the voice of women..- . 128 References ..- .. 129 Statistical annex ..- 131
8171886449
330.0723 / U.N.