Southeast Asia: The Long Road Ahead

"This is an important and up-to-date (including a chapter on the Asian financial crisis and recovery) book by a most pre-eminent economist, who does not only have a distinguished academic career but also actual policy involvement at a high level. The book mixes accurate description with interesting theoretical analysis (notably the author's theories of EGOIN, Triple C, and the S Curve) and sensible policy recommendations."Professor Yew-Kwang NgProfessor of Economics, Department of EconomicsMonash University, Melbourne, Australia"This is an important study of the economies of South-East Asia. Professor Lim draws upon many years of research and experience to make comparisons between countries and to track changes over time. His title reflects his optimism but also his caution. Much has been done. Much remains to be done. There is a long road ahead before the countries of South-East Asia can look back on their achievements and say that they are fully developed at last."Professor David ReismanVisiting Professor of EconomicsNanyang Technological University, Singapore"This book provides a comprehensive analysis of Southeast Asia's economic progress and prospects. Written by one of the region's most distinguished development economists, the book will be welcomed by graduate students and researchers and by policy-makers in the region, all of whom will learn much from this authoritative and insightful volume."Professor Colin KirkpatrickProfessor of Economics and DirectorInstitute for Development Policy and ManagementThe University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom"There are very few economists in Southeast Asia today who can writeauthoritatively about Southeast Asian economies, and Professor Lim is prominently one among these few. The book leads the readers through more than 40 years of postwar development to the present day where many of these Southeast Asian nations are recovering from the recent devastating economic crisis. Professor Lim's insights into the economic history and development of countries in Southeast Asia make the readers feel comfortable to go through the book quickly. After finishing it, most of us should feel confident that Southeast Asia is still a unique region, and despite the current economic crisis, there is still great economic future for Southeast Asians."Dr Medhi KrongkaewProfessor of Economics and DirectorInstitute of East Asian StudiesThammasat University, Bangkok, Thailand"Southeast Asia has gone a long way to what it has become today. It has yet to travel another long road ahead to becoming an economically developed region. The author has successfully described the region's milestones and obstacles, both in looking back and in looking into the future. It also offers a useful theoretical construct to prescribe and predict Southeast Asia's development process. The book is to date the most comprehensive treatment of Southeast Asia as an economic region. It is even more valuable as it is written by an insider to the region and its development problems. This is the textbook the region has been waiting for. In fact, it is a book for every interested person to read."Dr Hadi SoesastroExecutive DirectorCentre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)Jakarta, Indonesia" it is very well written and thoroughly researched. The volume clearly achievesthe author's stated intention of providing a useful book to both graduate and undergraduate students whose academic foci is on Southeast Asia, and to policy-makers and others who are interested in policy options in the ten ASEAN countries this reviewer recommends the book enthusiastically and without reservation."ASEAN Economic Bulletin, Dec 2001