APL executive: Intra-Asia can lead recovery

APL executive: Intra-Asia can lead recovery    Intra-Asia trade could lead a global recovery in trade, said Jason Wong, APL vice president of intra-Asia trade.
   High rates of intra-Asia growth could put pressure back on the region's substandard infrastructure networks, added Wong, speaking at the ASEAN Ports and Shipping conference in Ho Chi Minh City Thursday.
   While global container trade fell in 2009, certain developing markets, like India, Indonesia and Vietnam, saw continued growth.
   More transportation services will be required to support the growth of freight moving within Asia, Wong said, identifying North Asia to Southeast Asia as a high potential trade.
   In his presentation, Wong explained that expanded services are specifically needed 'to support consumer products imported by emerging economies and developing countries.' He added there would be more demand for intra-country distribution in emerging economies and more demand for coastal and domestic shipping, as well as more land transport options within the larger developing nations.