Asian countries should capitalise on common ground: PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Asian countries need to forge stronger ties and capitalise on what they have in common towards building a borderless Asia, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Abdul Razak.
Speaking at the Economic Times — Asian Business Leaders Conclave today, Najib said the 21st century is set to be the Asian Century, which is already a reality in many ways with the construction of new institutions and frameworks that have come from Asia, formulated by Asians or based in the continent.
"That is as it should be. The centre of gravity of power, population and prosperity has long been shifting eastwards, and it is right that we should take responsibility for, and control of, our own destinies. We seek friendly relations with all, but the days when far-off powers seek to dictate the futures and the policies of Asian countries are over," he said.
He said in a borderless Asia, diversity is shared, countries work together in an inclusive and sustainable manner, as well as rely on its own innovation to create new technologies, foster its own talent and set new global standards for corporate governance, productivity and dynamism.
"We have youthful and an increasingly well-educated population. We are blessed with many resources and even in these challenging times for the world economy, we have still been maintaining growth rates that are the envy of Europe and the West.
"We need to take the next step. To forge stronger inter-Asian ties. To capitalise on what we have in common. To learn from each other, to share best practices and seek new ways of collaborating to the benefit of all," he added.