SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has announced a
S$28.9m aid package for Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, at the
10th ASEAN summit in Laos.
Speaking at the summit in Vientiane, Mr Lee said Singapore will
extend its commitment to the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI)
for another three years, from 2006 to 2008.
The IAI aims to give direction and sharpen the focus to narrow the
development gap within ASEAN.
The package will incorporate existing programmes, such as the
Singapore Scholarship and the in-country training courses, as well
as a new Executive Management Training Programme for senior
officials.
According to the Prime Minister's Press Secretary, Mr Lee noted
that globalisation is increasing competition in the global
economy.
It has brought home the reality that individual economies can no
longer operate on their own and integration has become essential
for ASEAN if its economies are to remain competitive. - CNA
