The report also includes a special chapter on how Asia can strengthen financial resilience in an era of financial interconnectedness. Strong intra-regional trade and investment are acting as a buffer for the region against uncertainties in global trade and economic growth, according to the report. Foreign direct investment (FDI) within Asia rose in absolute value to reach $272 billion in 2016, despite a 6 per cent decline in global FDI flows into the region. This intraregional FDI increased as a share of total FDI to the region from 48 per cent in 2015 to 55 per cent in 2016. Given the role intra-Asian FDI plays in enhancing global and regional value chain development, this is expected to help strengthen the region’s trade growth globally.

Source: The Nation Bangkok October 25, 2017 18:20 UTC