WASHINGTON - US PRESIDENT Barack Obama will make a statement about job creation and economic recovery on Thursday before leaving on his debut presidential tour of Asia, the White House said on Wednesday.

Mr Obama will speak at 9.15am EST (1415 GMT, 10.15pm Singapore time) at the White House.

'The president will discuss his plans to continue exploring options for job creation and economic growth and the importance of his trip to Asia to the American economy,' said Jen Psaki, a White House spokeswoman.

The US jobless rate unexpectedly jumped to 10.2 per cent last month, a 26-1/2-year high, adding to pressure on the Obama administration to do more to tackle unemployment even as signs of recovery mount. -- REUTERS