In view of Asia's enormous untapped economic potential and the ongoing global economic and financial crisis, the challenge now is to build efficient and seamless connections across Asia and thus to the rest of the world for a more competitive, prosperous, and integrated region.
Critical questions include:
This ADB and ADBI flagship study analyzes the major challenges in developing regional infrastructure, particularly transport and energy'—both hard and soft infrastructure'—through fostering regional cooperation towards a seamless Asia. It evaluates existing regional infrastructure programs, policies, and institutions, and makes recommendations on what the region needs to address to meet these challenges and provides a framework for pan-Asian infrastructure cooperation.
The key message of the book is that now is the time to forge ahead with the goal of integrating this vast and diverse region'—for the benefit of all its citizens and for a lasting and shared prosperity'—through building pan-Asia infrastructure connectivity.