BEIJING, Sept 8: The World Bank and the organizers of a regional Chinese forum agreed on Monday on a three-year research programme to promote economic cooperation and integration in Asia, the bank said in a statement.

The World Bank and the Boao Forum for Asia want to foster “a more intense network of expertise” providing “robust intellectual underpinnings” for decisions on economic integration, regional policies and institutions, it said.

“Economic integration has become a necessity for all regions to cope with the challenges of the world economy today and we would like to ensure its success in Asia,” said Long Yongtu, the Boao Forum’s Chinese secretary general.

The Boao Forum, named after the city on south China’s Hainan island, has so far gathered only once.

China wants it to become an Asian version of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, bringing together decision makers and opinion leaders from government, business and academia.

However, the first meeting, in April last year, was widely criticized for poor preparation and accompanying logistical chaos.

This year’s conference was delayed because of the Sars epidemic and is now scheduled to go ahead in November.—AFP