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