Competitiveness: An essential ingredient for growth in Asian and Pacific developing countries in a globalizing world

This paper sets out the opportunities and challenges that continuing globalization and technological progress present to the competitiveness of firms in the Asian and Pacific region. It also defines the important roles for Governments in the areas of education, research and development, and physical infrastructure so that they can enhance the possibilities for firms in the region to improve their productivity and competitiveness. The impact of the rapidly growing Chinese economy on the competitiveness of firms in other Asian and Pacific countries is also discussed.