Responding to criticisms that the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) is a
"club for the rich", its secretary-general said yesterday that more
small- and medium-sized enterprises are being encouraged to join
the upcoming 8th forum.
"BFA is interested in getting all well-performing enterprises
involved," Long Yongtu said at a press conference in Beijing.
This year's forum, a platform established in 2001 for high-level
interaction between leaders from Asia and around the world, will be
held in Hainan province from April 11-13.
"This year's conference promises to be the best ever," Long
said.
He said it will also be a good opportunity for international
business operators to attain strategic levels of understanding on
the economic policies from newly elected Chinese financial
authorities.
"This year is also a key year for the World Trade Organization
talks in Doha, so the 8th BFA will invite some key players in the
talks to attend," Long said.
He did not reveal the list of presenting leaders or the total
number of participants.
"But our biggest problem has been how to arrange enough
accommodation," he said.
Last year, more than 1,400 representatives from 36 countries and
regions took part.
Long also unveiled the theme for this year's forum: "Green Asia:
Moving Towards Win-Win Through Changes".
"There has never been a more important time for a discussion of
Asia's environmental future," he said.
Long said the theme will offer participants a chance to discuss
how to secure Asia's future through renewable energy sources and
how the private sector can contribute to improving the
environment.
This year's forum is significant as China marks the 30th
anniversary of its reform and opening up, Long said.
"The 8th BFA will offer leaders from business, governments and
academia an opportunity to reflect on how far China has come over
the past 30 years," Long said.
"It also helps them prepare for the changes and challenges that
will face China - and the entire Asian region - over the next three
decades."
Different from other forums, Long said the BFA's strength lies
in its "China- and Asia-based" perspective.
James Zhan, president of Tata Group China, said: "As an
industrial giant of India, we chose to participate in the BFA
because of the shift of the global economy toward the East."
(China Daily January 25, 2008)
