Hugo Swire, Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office , praised the entrepreneurship of Asians and suggested Asia will define the next century.
“It is clear too that Asia – a lively and diverse mix of ethnicities, religions and political beliefs; home to half of humanity and increasingly the world’s economic power house – will define the next century,” Saire said while attending the Asian Business Leaders Awards Gala 2014 at Asia House in London.
The minister urged the need to work together to build mutually beneficial economic ties in between Asian countries and the United Kingdom.
“No nation, no region, can succeed alone,” the minister said. “Today’s global economic race is not a zero sum game. We can and must all benefit. But to do so, it is vital that we turn our historic links into vibrant and fruitful economic ones.
“That is why this government has gone out into the world with the message that Britain is open for business. With an embassy in every ASEAN country, with our GREAT campaign, and with trade missions – unprecedented in terms of both numbers and success. I have joined the Prime Minister as he has led the largest ever trade delegations to leave these shores – bound for India and China.”
“Britain has once again found her roots as an outward looking, trading nation that is leading the way in the West in nurturing relations in the East – and is set to flourish in the 21st century,” he added.
Mr Swire also praised Ho Ching – this year’s recipient of the prestigious Asian Business Leaders Award.