BAGUIO TALKS

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26125, 30 May 1950, Page 5

BAGUIO TALKS

ECONOMIC ISSUES DEBATED SOUTH ASIAN REGION’S PROBLEMS (Rec. 7 p.m.) MANILA, May 28. The economic committee of the Baguio conierence on South-east Asia comp.eted its work to-day. The committee had three iriee.ings, during which members explored different possibilities of increasing economic cooperation among themselves in order eventually to realise a balanced development and ensure to their peoples a rising living standard. The chairman of the conference (General Carlos Romulo) announced this to-night in his second progress report. He said that the economic committee had discussed the need lor expanding intra-regional trade in every possible way. including bilateral agreements consistent with existing : international commitments. General Romulo said that the committee had discussed the need for continuing to consider the possibilities o f establishing “a multilateral clearing arrangement when conditions are ripe for such a step.” The representatives had also emphasised the importance of intensifying each country's efforts to increase agricultural and industrial productivity. the desirability of increasing the interchange of basic technical knowledge among themselves, as well as of taking advantage of assistance along similar lines extended by countries outside the South-east Asian region and by international organisations. The economic committee agreed to support the activities of existing international organisations. General Romulo said that during the general debate on Friday, some delegations had expressed concern over the fact that the countries of this region had not received their just share of help from the United Nations and its agencies.