US to unveil plan to boost Asean innovation

The United States is expected to announce today that it will set up centres in Singapore, Bangkok and Jakarta as part of an effort to help promote innovation and entrepreneurship in Asean. The initiative, called the Asean- US Connect, has not been formally unveiled, but sources who have been briefed said US President Barack Obama told Asean leaders about it on Monday during a session on economic cooperation at the US-Asean summit. The Straits Times understands that the centres - likely to be hosted in the US mission in each city - will help coordinate existing programmes that connect US businesses to the region, as well as develop new projects.