More help is needed from the World Bank for Asean member nations to narrow regional development gaps, one of the main barriers preventing community building, according to Asean Secretary General Dr. Surin Pitsuwan. The World Bank hosted the video conference, which involved government officials, university academics and media from Asean nations. The significant development gaps remained, despite the large amounts of aid being poured into Asean member nations from international organizations and governments including the World Bank, USA, Japan, China, Republic of Korea and EU. Incoming per capita in some countries was less than US$2 per day, while in others it was more than US$ 40.000 per year. The development gaps in the region had to be removed before a successful Asean community could be built, adding that road and air transport needed to be linked, as did legal procedures to facilitate freedom of travel for Asean member citizens. The Asean Secretariat and the Japan International Cooperation Agency had established a pilot project to help the country catch up with other member nations. The outcomes of the pilot project will be shared among the other new Asean member countries-Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam.
Source: Vientiane Times
