Asia Regional Integration Center
Tracking Asian Integration
Rapid digitalization amid the COVID-19 pandemic is spurring the growth of digital services trade around the globe. At the forefront is the Asia and Pacific region, demonstrating the highest growth in digital services trade.
The theme chapter of the Asian Economic Integration Report 2022 explores how the region can capitalize on the growing opportunities of digital services trade through structural reforms and international cooperation.
19May2022This study investigates the dynamic impact of social distancing policy on coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection control, mobility of people, and consumption expenditures in the Republic of Korea. Results indicate that social distancing policy is an effective tool for reducing the spread of COVID-19. Read more here.
03May2022
01Apr2022This report compares RCEP provisions on rules of origin with those of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Major findings provide the basis for policy recommendations to leverage RCEP to simplify rules of origin across Asia and the Pacific. Download the report.
09Feb2022In this interview with Bloomberg, ADB/ERCD Principal Economist Jong Woo Kang discusses why Asia and the Pacific's trade ties have deepened amid the global disruptions from the pandemic. Watch the short video here.
ARIC Blog
The Implications for Asia of US Monetary Policy
The fight against the pandemic has left a large imprint on the US Federal Reserve’s balance sheet. Since the outbreak of the pandemic in early 2020, the US Fed has purchased a wide range of assets and pumped liquidity into the financial system to cushion the impact of the pandemic and fiscal stimulus on interest rates.
Asian Trade Has Rebounded Strongly, Yet Uncertainties Persist
Trade in services, particularly non-digital services, and movement of people is still sluggish due to the ongoing pandemic. The emergence of new COVID-19 variants has hit trade particularly hard.
COVID-19 is Changing Financial Inclusion: Can Policymakers Keep Up?
Current blockages in some supply chains are raising questions about the complexity and importance of these networks.