The Southeast Asian economy has reportedly found the path to recovery after being crippled by the regional financial crisis of 1997.

In fact, the recent IMF World Economic Outlook forecasts the combined growth rate of the ASEAN Four -- Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines - will reach 4 percent in 2000, following a contraction of 9.5 percent in 1998 and growth of 2.5 percent in 1999.

Nevertheless, the IMF pointed out that their recovery is still considered fragile.