Towards economic integration in Asia : an evaluation of trade expansion programme of developing countries in Asia and the Pacific

Two distinct trends are discernible in the process of nation building in developing countries. One is that each nation attempts to project its own national identity, and assert its distinctive national traits and characteristics, rejecting assimilation or subordination in any form whatsoever. The other is that a nation comes to realise, almost at the same time as it achieves independence, that its own problems and interests are convergent with those of other nations in a similar situation, the solutions and safeguarding of which require joint common endeavour. Given the requisite political will, this common endeavour manifests itself in schemes of regional economic cooperation. The purpose of this study is to examine this aspect of nation building in developing Asian countries. The process of economic cooperation and integration is steadily ac celerating and gaining ground among developing countries. The UNCTAD has given particular attention to this subject, adopting a concerted declaration (23-II) at New Delhi, and later, a resolution (48-III) at Santiago, which provide a framework for action by the international community in support of developing countries' initiatives towards mutual trade expansion, economic cooperation, and regional integration.