Dear editor,
In the next two days, Asian leaders will discuss how they can work together to combat the global economic storm as their countries, once seen as being relatively immune, increasingly struggle with the crisis.

At the Asia Europe Meeting (Asem) of 43 nations, to be held in Beijing, has provided a timely first opportunity for the region’s leaders to meet face-to-face to discuss the world’s financial woes. 

However, a lot is to be expected but results are not obvious. We should not forget that Asian governments do not have a good history of coordination.

So I think it’s very unlikely that they’re going to come up with a US or European-style bailout for their economy.

As time goes on and the crisis takes its toll on the globe, each country is going to be looking after itself since most countries have very different economic needs. 

So it’s not really clear that they’re going to come up with a solution that addresses the needs of every other state. We therefore urge them to unite for once.

This is no longer a time for going solo simply to show off how mighty or rich a nation is.

They should consider their people first before they go into the meeting to flex their muscles – as they are always doing.

We shouldn’t encourage survival for the fittest models.

KABEZA