ESCAP launches Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific
2007 - "Surging Ahead in Uncertain Times"

Islamabad, 18 April 2007

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) launched its flagship publication "Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2007" at the UN Information Centre (UNIC), Islamabad on 18 April 2007.

The survey entitled "Surging Ahead in Uncertain Times" addressed the most important current issues facing the region / Pakistan including;

• Sustained strong economic growth but inflation and trade deficit genuine concerns.
• Rural physical infrastructure for rapid poverty reduction in South Asia
• Gender inequality continues - at great cost
• Pakistan - Sustained strong economic growth but inflation a genuine concern
• Rural infrastructure for rapid poverty reduction
• Gender balance possible at a minimum effort and cost - but only with strong political commitment

The Survey was launched in Pakistan at a press briefing at the United Nations Information Centre in Islamabad at 2:30 p.m., on Wednesday, 18 April 2007. Dr Sarfraz Khan Qureshi, Director of the Innovative Development Strategies, presented and explained salient features of the survey and shed light on the analysis of Pakistan's performance.

The report was also launched on the same day in other cities of the region as well as in New York and Geneva.

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