Secretary General of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), Long Yongtu, said that Pakistan is an important country in the region and its contribution for promoting future economic co-operation in Asia is highly valuable.
In an interview to APP special correspondent, in Beijing, he said that Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali's presence in the third annual conference of the FBA, which is to begin on Saturday, reflects Pakistan's growing interest in regional development.
He said that Pakistan is a founding member of the forum and has always been on the forefront, making it a strong platform for achieving common objectives in the economic field.
Long Yongtu noted that President Pervez Musharraf specially travelled to Boao last year to address its second annual conference.
This year, the conference, with the topic 'An Asia open to the World' would particularly deliberate upon the economic difficulties being faced by Asian countries as well as their future needs, he added.
It will also discuss ways and means to establish a free trade regime among the Asian countries. It will focus on win-win solutions because Asian countries are looking to expand economic co-operation efforts, he added.
In order to echo the theme of 'An Asia Open to the World', the coming conference has also invited some leaders from outside Asia. The confirmed attendees include Vaclav Klaus, President of the Czech Republic, George H W Bush, former President of the US, and Ernesto Zedillo, former President of Mexico.
Important issues of common concern in Asia will be covered in plenary conferences, seminars and roundtable meetings, including co-operation in the IT industry, the supply chain in Asia and financial co-operation, future development in sectors of energy and culture and economic co-operation between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan.
The three-year-old Boao Forum for Asia, the only non-official international organisation in Asia, serves as a unique platform for dialogue about Asian issues, Long Yongtu said.
The forum is supposed to be an authoritative think-tank organisation and the highest dialogue platform for exploring Asian issues.
In addition to the annual conference, the forum includes seminars and conferences to look at common problems that have emerged during regional economic co-operation and integration in Asia.
In the light of fruitful achievements and authority on Asian issues, the forum has also deepened its co-operation with such international organisations as the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and World Tourism Organisation.
So far, many of the world's renowned research institutes and enterprises have become members of the forum, which adds to the forum's impact on Asian affairs.
"It is a world-wide platform for discussion of Asia affairs, not only a forum for Asian people," said Long.
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