Press Invitation

United Nations Information Centre

cordially invites you to the

Sub-regional Media launch of

ESCAP’s

Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific - 2014

Ways to mobilize resources for sustainable development

at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 30 September 2014

Seminar Hall No. 2, 1^st floor, Kamala Devi Block (New Building)

India International Centre, 40 Lodi Estate, New Delhi

Video message from  Dr.  Shamshad  Akhtar, Executive Secretary, ESCAP

Panelists:

Dr. Nagesh Kumar, Head, ESCAP South and South-West Asia Office

Dr. Alok Sheel, Secretary, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister

Professor N.R. Bhanumurthy, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy

As Asia-Pacific  economies  are  experiencing  yet another year of subdued growth,  the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific   (ESCAP)  is  calling  for  the  removal  of  domestic  structural constraints  and the unlocking of fiscal space to help stimulate growth and support social development.

Structural  constraints,  such  as infrastructure and development deficits, along  with  external challenges, are keeping the region from realizing its economic potential, according to the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2014, the annual flagship publication of ESCAP which is the  most  comprehensive  and  oldest annual review of economic and social development  in  the region.

With   constrained   growth   prospects,   productive  and  countercyclical government   spending  is  critical  in  supporting  inclusive  growth  and sustainable  development.  One of the most pressing issues for any country determined  to  invest  in development is to raise the necessary resources, the  Survey  notes,  which  explores various options of mobilizing domestic resources, with a particular focus on tax revenues.

Growth in South and South-West Asia is forecast at 4.7 per cent in 2014, from 3.9 per cent last year, according to the Survey. India is projected to grow at 5.5 per cent in 2014, compared with 4.7 in 2013.

RSVP: unic.india@unic.org; Phone: 46532242

RAJIV CHANDRAN

National Information Officer

United Nations Information Centre for India and Bhutan

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