THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology (COST) has stressed that ASEAN needs to focus on science and technology to enhance its competitive edge and meet the opportunities and challenges of the new millennium.

In his statement on assuming the COST chairmanship earlier this year, Gong Wee Lik, Executive Director of the National Science and Technology Board (NSTB) of Singapore, said, "Our individual economies will prosper only if the region as a whole prospers. Science and technology development will be an integral part of this process."

Singapore took over the COST chairmanship in January this yea, and will hold the position until the end of 1999.

The new COST Chairman cites two important events in 1997 and 1998. The Sixth ASEAN Food Conference, he said, will showcase ASEAN capabilities in food technology. The Fifth ASEAN Science and Technology Week in 1998, to be held in conjunction with the S&T Ministerial Meeting, will review the achievements of ASEAN science and technology cooperation during the decade.

"I look forward," he said, "to the challenging and exciting times ahead, in working with ASEAN friends and colleagues in charting and implementing the framework under which the COST process will achieve our objectives for ASEAN, as outlined in the Action Plan for Science & Technology.