Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, and Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry, members of ISAS Management Board, Excellencies, eminent speakers, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

On behalf of the Institute of South Asian Studies , it is my pleasure to welcome you to the inaugural International Conference on South Asia.

The theme for the first conference is "Engaging South Asia: Challenges and Opportunities". We chose this theme for a reason. South Asia 's emergence in the international arena has been nothing short of phenomenal. As I mentioned at the official launch of the Institute last night, a new landscape of economic stability and opportunity has emerged in South Asia . There is new found optimism and belief that the South Asian region has the potential and ability to ride on the wave of globalisation to become an economic success story.

The increasing economic and political importance of the South Asian region calls for greater engagement and involvement so that Singapore and the other countries in Southeast Asia can build on their strong historical links with the region and develop a deeper and more intense understanding and appreciation of the countries that make South Asia .

The Institute of South Asian Studies was established in July 2004 as an autonomous research body within the National University of Singapore. We at the Institute are dedicated to the study of contemporary South Asia .  We aim to generate knowledge and insights about the region, and to disseminate them in a manner that is useful to policy-makers, the business community, academia and civil society.

This is what we hope to achieve through the International Conference on South Asia . The conference is a platform to update and discuss social, political, economic and security issues facing the South Asian region. As participants, you will also be able to gain deeper insights into the South Asian economies and in doing business in South Asia . At the same time, the conference presents an important opportunity for your organisation and company to reach out to the South Asian communities and show support for the efforts of South Asia and Singapore to forge even closer social, political and economic ties .

Aside from this conference, the Institute has also been actively engaged in a series of activities that include lectures, seminars and talks by visiting dignitaries and scholars. These have included Mr Jagdish Tytler, India 's Minister of State for Overseas Indian Affairs, Mr Narendrabhai Modi, Chief Minister of Gujarat , and Dr Arvind Virmani, Director and Chief Executive, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations.

At the same time, the Institute has embarked on developing research programmes and generating publication pertaining to economic, political and social developments in South Asia . For your information we will publish the papers presented at this conference, a copy of which will be sent to all of you in due time. We will also have our newsletter, South Asia , in circulation by March 2005.

The Institute commissioned a study on cold chain management in India earlier this month. To be completed in June 2005, the study will examine the current policies, needs and potentials in cold chain management in India as well as identify potential opportunities for Singapore investors in the sector. This project is a joint collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industries. Together, we plan to organise a seminar in Singapore in March 2005 to share the preliminary findings of the study. We hope to organise a similar seminar in India at the end of the study.

The Institute will also engage two full-time researchers by March 2005. Their key responsibility would be to generate research on political economy and Islam in South Asia . We will also have on board a visiting research fellow from India to look into focus on governance in India . He will be with us for three months. At the same time, the Institute will rely on available expertise at the National University of Singapore, particularly at the South Asian Studies programme, for its research.

Lastly, we are pleased to announce the initiation of the ISAS Associates scheme. Through this initiative, the Institute will bring on board distinguished individuals who will complement the Institute's research arm by providing valuable and time-sensitive industry information on as well as linkages within South Asia . They will assist the Institute in conducting in-depth studies on social, political and economic trends and developments in South Asia, and their impact on Singapore and Southeast Asia . In short, the ISAS Associate will play a pivotal role in enhancing the Institute's reputation as a centre of research excellence.

This morning, we are honoured to have Dr Vivian Balakrishnan as our keynote speaker. We also have an eminent and distinguished panel of speakers from both Singapore and around the world. Together, they will provide an in-depth analysis of South Asia 's economies, politics, governments, security and societies. The plenary sessions will cover a diverse range of issues. These include the globalisation of South Asian economies, economic challenges for India , South Asia-Southeast Asia relationships, politics, governance, security, ethnic relations and the internationalisation of South Asian culture.

You will have ample opportunities to engage the speakers in discussions and ask questions. I hope you will make the most out of this opportunity. I am confident that you will have a fruitful, engaging and exciting conference.

Thank you.

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