The book, Infrastructure for a Seamless Asia, presents the major issues and challenges in developing regional infrastructure in Asia through fostering regional cooperation, as well as provides a practical framework for pan-Asian infrastructure cooperation. The study is the outcome of close collaboration and joint work between ADB and ADBI. This is the first time that such a study on regional infrastructure has been undertaken.

It notes that Asia’s trade competitiveness—particularly in its increasingly sophisticated production networks—depends to a large extent on efficient, fast, reliable, and seamless infrastructure connections. But many parts of Asia—including inland and remote areas, landlocked countries and distant islands—are isolated economically as well as geographically. While some of the existing infrastructure is world class, much of it is below average.

"Asia has enormous untapped economic potential," says ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda, who unveiled the book at the ADB’s 42nd Annual Meeting in Bali. "Connecting its diverse economies and peoples through seamless infrastructure will help in achieving an integrated, poverty-free, prosperous, and peaceful Asia and the world."

Mr. Kuroda said that increasing infrastructure investment should remain a priority for governments during the current global financial crisis.

"Following the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis, countries with significant investments in infrastructure recovered faster than others," he said. "To mitigate the medium-term consequences of the current crisis, Asia will need to put greater emphasis on increasing regional demand. Consequently, regional infrastructure will need to be geared more towards supporting Asian production networks and regional supply chains."

Asia’s infrastructure investment needs are large. The book estimates that from 2010 to 2020, the region will need to invest US$8 trillion in overall national infrastructure, and about US$290 billion in regional infrastructure projects. On average, Asia will need to invest around US$750 billion per year during this period.

The book proposes the establishment of first, a Pan-Asian Infrastructure Forum (PAIF) to coordinate the building of environment-friendly transport, power, and communication networks stretching right across the diverse Asia region, and second, an Asian Infrastructure Fund (AIF) to finance the vision of a seamless Asia.

Moving towards this vision would provide enormous benefits to all countries in the region, foster a higher degree of regional cooperation and deepen regional integration, the book says.