NP/93-3
Original: English
Asia TELECOM 93: 
EXHIBITION AND FORUM ACCLAIMED AS AN OUTSTANDING SUCCESS
Asia TELECOM 93, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), held at the World Trade Centre Singapore, ended on Saturday May 22. It was co-hosted by Singapore Telecom and the Telecommunication Authority of Singapore. 
The third quadrennial regional telecommunication exhibition and forum staged by the ITU in the Asia-Pacific region, Asia TELECOM 93, was inaugurated on 17 May 1993 in the presence of His Excellency Mr. Wee Kim Wee, President of the Republic of Singapore.  Over 1,200 people - 31 Ministers, 58 Directors-General of Administrations, 54 Delegates of Administrations, 250 Chief Executive Officers and Senior Management Executives, representing 57 countries as well as invited guests assembled in  the vast Auditorium of the Singapore Convention Centre for the opening ceremony. 199 journalists covered the event.
The event comprised a telecommunication exhibition in which 371 exhibitors participated, including 14 national pavilions, representing 27 countries. The exhibition attracted 32,017 visitors. 
The accompanying Forum, comprised of four Symposia: Policy, Technical, Regulatory and Economic, attracted 1,238 delegates from 79 countries and featured for the first time panel sessions which enabled exchange of views and debates. 
Policy Symposium: " Strategy for expanding telecommunications infrastructure ".
Presentations addressed those challenges brought about by the diverse telecommunication needs of countries within the Asia-Pacific rim.  Discussion focused mainly on the strategic efforts required for regional integration – standards, co-operation and competition, future policies for satellite and mobile services.
Technical Symposium: " Technological challenge: interfacing regional needs ".
The Symposium addressed many issues, particularly those pertaining to the evolution and harmonization of rural and urban networks within the region, as well as the broader global aspects for the 21st century.
Regulatory Symposium: " Effective transition through regulation ".
Participants shared their points of view and experiences, examining the role of regulation as a means of effective transition from the old telecommunications order, dominated by government enterprises, into today's environment where greater liberalization and competition is being experienced.
Economic Symposium: " The platform for economic growth and development ".
Speakers gave insight into the state of telecommunications in the Asia-Pacific region, concentrating on the challenges that now exist and the actions that need to be carried out to upgrade the telecommunications infrastructure.  Outlines were given for the socio-economic telecommunications development and new services.
For more information, please contact:
Mr Tom Dahl-Hansen
Executive Director, TELECOM
International Telecommunication Union
Place des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 20
Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 730 5444
Fax: +41 22 730 6444