Monday, May 10th, 2004

World Bank Launches East Asia and Pacific Economic Review Through GDLN

For the second time, representatives of governments, central banks, the private sector, media, academia, civil society, and development agencies in East Asia used GDLN to discuss with World Bank counterparts the Bank's half yearly economic review of the region.

Over 100 participants in Bangkok, Hanoi, Jakarta, Manila, Phnom Penh, Singapore, and Washington came together through videoconference on April 19, 2004 (April 20 for participants in East Asia) for the launch of the World Bank's East Asia and Pacific Regional Economic Update.

After a brief presentation, principal author Milan Brahmbhatt, World Bank Vice President for East Asia and the Pacific Jemal-ud-din Kassum, and World Bank Chief Economist for the region Homi Kharas discussed with participants the findings of the report, the Bank's assessment of the region's economies, and the impact of global economic trends on East Asia and the Pacific. The event benefited from extensive press coverage in the region.

The Regional Economic Update was launched through GDLN for the first time in October 2003. The World Bank is increasingly using GDLN to disseminate the findings of its major publications, including the World Development Report, a yearly review of the economic, social, and environmental state of the world.

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