How to build the knowledge economy in the ASEAN

By Bindu N Lohani. Over the past three decades, Asia's extraordinary rise has been driven largely by its emergence as the world's low-cost, high-output factory. But as countries strive to become more diversified in facing strains on resources and changing workforces, building a knowledge economy is increasingly seen as the most sustainable way to drive growth while providing citizens with higher incomes and more fulfilling work. It is also the key to Asia realising its full potential this century and avoiding the ‘middle-income trap’ that has befallen other developing regions. Building a knowledge economy takes quality and accessible higher education, sound information infrastructure, better research and development, innovation, the right economic institutions and autonomy to collaborate and share information. Read more...