While Asia’s exports to countries outside the region have swelled to $ trillion by 2006, (relative to $ billion in the 1990s) intra regional trade grew faster from under $ billion to $ trillion. Consequently, intra regional trade constitutes almost half of the total trade in Asia, and is set to grow further as Asia is gearing itself for greater market diversification.
I acknowledge that this work has taken time to complete and I am conscious of the devastating impact that lenders’ failures have had on customers, up to and including the loss of their homes and investment properties.