Book Description

A full acknowledgement of the dangers of analysis by hindsight leaves one with a simple question: if the origins of the Asian financial crisis lie in the structural flaws in the Asian financial system, then why did it occur when it did? What in the economic structure or fundamentals changed between the Asian Miracle and the Asian Crisis? Some slowdown in East Asian growth was probably inevitable after the fast pace of the preceding three decades. But the slowdown interacted badly with the highly-leveraged financial system. The crisis was the result. Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) is about the things that can help the region put in place the policies and the infrastructure, human and capital, for sustainable growth over the coming years. The international community can play a role in supporting the process of reform. This book briefly assesses the Asian crisis, discusses financial systems for recovery, and the role of investment and trade flows and policies.