Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Singapore (Fides Service) - Asia will be the planet’s economic locomotive. Economic growth in Asian countries is constant and international trade is increasing. Since 2003 inter-Asian has doubled and trade with Europe and the United states increased by 50%. The emerged in a report by US based Conference Board Working Group, a non profit organisation, which organised last year surveys, research and meetings involving 55 civil society groups in various Asian countries.
However, a recent World Social Forum held Pakistan said Asia must tackle the scourge of poverty: according to analysis by the Asian Bank for Development and the World Bank by 2015 more than 1 billion people in Asia will be living in extreme poverty. Many Asian political leaders and analysts call for models of sustainable development to alleviate pressure on society and environment. In many places the well being of Asian peoples is undermined by situations of conflict and instability.
One open question therefore is the distribution of income: in fact even in countries with a high rate of population growth millions of people in rural areas especially live in dire poverty while the gap between rich and poor is ever wider with consequent risk of social instability. (Agenzia Fides 31/3/2006 righe 24 parole 240)
