Monday, February 06, 2006
India's president calls for Asean e-business framework (8:10 p.m.)
MANILA -- India's President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on Monday urged Southeast Asia to tap the huge opportunities presented by the West's increasing focus in the region by establishing an e-business network.
"The future of business definitely will be Asia," Kalam told a joint session of the Philippine congress, adding that the region has a tremendous, economically growing market and a large pool of human capital.
With Western markets becoming saturated, Asia provides a huge opportunity for businesses to expand their market share, and regional businesses can get their due share, he added.
"One of the best ways to do this is to set up a good e-business infrastructure," said Kalam, whose country is one of Asia's information technology leaders.
He said India, which has expertise in information and communication technology, space technology and a skilled work force, could be a partner if the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations decided to establish an e-business network.
Kalam said that in addition to the cooperative agreements New Delhi has signed with Manila on defense, tourism and agriculture during his visit, his country also plans to develop and market innovations created by Filipino and Indian software specialists.
India also would help set up small businesses in the Philippines for production and marketing of farm tools to boost agricultural production, sell medicines to the Philippines at affordable prices and help develop facilities for bio-diesel production and solar energy, added Kalam.
India is part of a 16-country pan-Asian community that brings together Asean, Japan, China, India, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.
Kalam left for South Korea shortly after his speech, ending his four-day visit to the Philippines. (AP) |
