The Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste represented by the Second Secretary, Mr. Fausto de Sousa, and Economic, Trade and Investment Affairs Officer, Mr. Azevedo Marcal, participated in the Launching of Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2013, in Beijing, China, on 18th April 2013.

According to the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2013 conducted by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP), Asia-Pacific economies will see subdued growth in 2013 after last year’s sharp slowdown caused by external factors. Efforts to stimulate demand must go hand in hand with macroeconomic course correction to promote broad-based and sustainable development.

The survey also recommends promoting inclusive and sustainable growth. Therefore, it is time to leave the “economic growth first” pattern and focus more on how the growth can be inclusive, and be sustained for the long term. Increasing in unemployment due to the economic downturn has also raised significant social concern.