Finance and Economy Minister Han Duck-soo has urged Asia to step up efforts to narrow the digital technology gap in the region.

In a keynote speech at the 39th annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank in India Friday, he said the bank needs stronger efforts to close the digital gap in Asia to allow the benefits of economic growth to flow to all countries in the region.

Han said South Korea wants to play a leading role as a neutral and creative mediator between advanced and developing economies in Asia.

He also urged the bank to reinvent itself as a knowledge-based institution with the independent capacity to draft innovative development strategies.

The four-day meeting ended Saturday, with about 2,500 delegates attending.