GDP per capita ranges from as high as US$48,000 in Singapore and Brunei to just $1,300 in Myanmar. Poverty remains high in some countries. Policy reforms will be needed if the region is to maintain strong growth and become more inclusive, boost productivity, reduce poverty, and avoid the “middle income trap” by moving up the global value chain. Policies that facilitate and promote regional integration are key.
Southeast Asia Regional Programme
The OECD Southeast Asia Regional Programme, which will be launched at the 2014 OECD Ministerial Council Meeting, will build on 25 years of engagement by providing a stronger platform for sharing good practices among policymakers in Southeast Asia and OECD countries. The aim is to inform and support reform, both at national and regional level, in policy areas such as investment, education and skills, SMEs, tax, regulatory reform and public-private partnerships for infrastructure. There will also be work on trade, innovation and gender.
Sharing perspectives will be a clear benefit of the programme. After all, many of the challenges facing Southeast Asian countries today are global challenges that also affect the OECD.
For more information, visit http://www.oecd.org/globalrelations/seaforum.htm
©OECD Yearbook 2014
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