Prime Minister addresses Boao Conference; calls for inclusive growth of Asia

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Kathmandu / March 25: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has addressed the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference in Hainan, China and said that peace and poverty can’t go hand-in-hand and called for an inclusive growth of Asia.

He also called for cooperative Asia for equitable growth in all corners of the continent. “Peace and poverty cannot go together. Growth of Asia must not be narrow in dimension,” he said.

The prime minister, who is on an official visit to China, said the dream of Asia’s future, the dream of peace and prosperity, would fail if any of the Asian states were left behind.

“Our pursuit for ‘common destiny’ will go misspent if anyone is left behind. Make no mistake, the Asian future should rest on the citadel of inclusiveness,” he added.

Oli opined that the advancements in innovation and technology had opened avenues for the development of Asia. He said the momentous development in information and communication technology, significant achievements in industrial production had potential to vitalise the economic performance and to galvanise the future of Asia.

Though the markets were flourishing, industries were growing, jobs were being created and many of the Asians had been lifted out of the poverty, he said, the vicious circle of poverty still stared at courtyard of Asia. He said rise of Asia should not be extractive in approach, adding, ascent of Asia should not be fragile in structure.

He informed the leaders about Nepal’s new constitution introduced in September last year and thanked the Asian leaders for supporting Nepal in producing the national charter. “We promulgated a democratic and inclusive constitution through the Constituent Assembly elected by the people of Nepal,” he said. “I would like to express sincere appreciation to all the states of Asia for their sincere support to our landmark endeavor.”