About the forum
The 2015 Forum was held on 8-9 September 2015 in Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Malaysian Institute of Economic Research and the Asian Development Bank organized the forum.
Participants
The forum had 72 participants representing think tanks from 26 countries in Asia and the Pacific, along with representatives from Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism and Culture and the Tenaga Nasional Berhad.
Output
The forum has two publications. One is the third issue of the ADB-Asian Think Tanks Network.
Agenda
“Advancing Innovation and Inclusion for a Prosperous Asia” was the theme of the 2015 Forum.
The discussions on advancing innovation and inclusion covered country-specific and regional issues, including policy developments. A mix of plenary and parallel sessions provided enough time for discussion and knowledge sharing enhanced through networking among participants. The opening plenary session was followed by presentations and discussions on six subthemes: (i) regional economic outlook; (ii) global value chains: challenges and opportunities; (iii) regional economic cooperation: priorities and concerns; (iv) transitioning from middle-income status; (v) social inclusion for shared growth; and, (vi) capacity building for better policy advising. The five major sessions were organized, as follows:
8 September 2016 — Day 1
Opening Ceremonies (Plenary)
Chair: Mohamad Ikmal KADIR, MIER, Malaysia
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08:00Registration
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09:30Welcome remarks
Tan Sri Sulaiman MAHBOB,Chairman, Board of Trustees MIERWelcome remarks
Juzhong ZHUANG, Deputy Chief Economist and Deputy Director General, ADBKeynote address,
YBHG. Tan Sri Mohd Irwan Serigar Bin ABDULLAH, Secretary-General, Ministry of Finance, and Member, MIER Board of Trustees, Malaysia -
10:00Photo session and coffee break
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Session 1: Regional Economic Outlook (Plenary)
Chair: Zakariah bin Abdul RASHID, Chairman, MIER, Malaysia
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10:30Regional Economic Outlook
Juzhong ZHUANG, Deputy Chief Economist and Deputy Director General, ADBIndian Economy: Near-Term Outlook and Structural Features
Rathin ROY, NIPFP, IndiaStrategic Change: China’s Opening-up under New Normal
Zhang QI, DRC, People’s Republic of ChinaThe Economy of Kazakhstan: on the Wave of Structural Reforms
Aset IRGALIYEV, ERI, Kazakhstan -
11:30Open discussion
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12:00Lunch Break
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Session 2: Global Value Chains: Challenges and Opportunities (Plenary)
Chair: Dushni Weerakoon, Chairman, IPS, Sri Lanka
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13:30Asia in Global Value Chains
Benno FERRARINI, ADBThe Changing Sophistication of China’s Exports, 1992-2014
Willem THORBECKE, RIETI, JapanA Backward Linkage of Lao Agribusiness Value Chain: A Case Study on Knowledge and Technology Transfers
Hing VUTHAi, MIC, Lao PDRThe Economy of Kazakhstan: on the Wave of Structural Reforms
Xaysomphet NORASINGH, ERI, KazakhstanDefining the Pattern of Growth and Policies for Accelerated Transformation
Kamila MUKHAMEDKHANOVA, CER, Uzbekistan -
14:45Open discussion
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15:10Coffee/Tea
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Session 3: Regional Economic Cooperation: Priorities & Concerns (Plenary)
Chair: Charles YALA, NRI, Papua New Guinea
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15:30ASEAN Regional Cooperation and Competition Policy
Ayuda Sari ISMAIL, MIER, MalaysiaThe AIIB And Regional Infrastructure Development
Qiangwu ZHOU, AFDC, People’s Republic of ChinaPolitical Stability and Regional Economic Cooperation: The Case of Selected South Asian Economies
Shujaat FAROOQ, PIDE, PakistanEconomic Dynamics, Platforms and Institutions: Shaping of the Regional Economic Order in the Asia-Pacific
Xiaoming HUANG, CCRC, New Zealand -
16:30Open discussion
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17:00Informal exchange and networking
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19:45Dinner (hosted by MIER)
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9 September 2016 — Day 2
Session 4A: Transitioning from Middle Income Status (Parallel)
Chair: Rathin ROY, NIPFP, India
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08:00Registration
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08:30Informal exchange and networkingIs There a Middle-Income Trap?
Jesus FELIPE, ADBThailand in the Middle-Income Trap: An Unrecognized Contribution From the Government
Nonarith BISONYABUT, TDRI, ThailandThe Impact of R&D on the Singapore Economy: A Time Series Analysis
Wong Poh KAM, NUS, SingaporeMiddle-Income Trap: The Malaysian Case
Zulkiply OMAR, MIER, Malaysia -
09:30Open discussion
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10:00Coffee/Tea
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Session 4B: Social Inclusion for Shared Growth (Parallel)
Chair: Melik GASPARYAN, AVAGSL, Armenia
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08:30Social Inclusion and Housing?
Marife BALLESTEROS, PIDS, PhilippinesImpact of Social Inclusion on Economic Development and Poverty Reduction in Nepal
Ram Chandra DHAKAL, CEDA, NepalTechnology, Jobs and Inequality: Evidence from India’s Manufacturing Sector
Radhicka KAPOOR, ICRIER, IndiaCan We Use Multidimensional Measures as the Official Poverty Line in Indonesia?
Carunia Mulya FIRDAUSY, ERC-IIS, Indonesia -
09:30Open discussion
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10:00Coffee/Tea
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Session 5: Capacity Building for Better Policy Advising (Plenary)
Chair: Dongxiang LI, ADB
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10:30Think Tanks, Capacity Building and Impact
James MCGANN, TTCSP, University of Pennsylvania, USAThe CDRI Experience Building Capacity: What Have We Learned?
Chhem RETHY, CDRI, CambodiaGuiding Korea’s Social and Economic Transformation
Chanyong CHOI, KDI, KoreaCAREC Institute
Ziqian LIANG, People’s Republic of ChinaADB’s Co-financing Operations
Yan XIE, OCO, ADB -
11:30Next Steps: 2016 forum, etc.
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12:30Lunch
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14:00-17:30Informal Networking Activity (by MIER)
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