Resilient and Sustainable Supply Chains:
The Strategic Role of Foreign Direct Investment
About the forum
Asia-Pacific economies are at the core of global value chains (GVCs). Yet recent shocks – from COVID-19 pandemic to geopolitical and climate risks – exposed concentration vulnerabilities. While foreign direct investment (FDI) is well recognised for its role in economic growth, job creation and knowledge spillovers, it is increasingly being realised as a factor that shapes supply chain diversification and resilience by distributing production decisions across multiple geographies and deepening regional integration under arrangements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). FDI also plays an important role in addressing sustainability of supply chains through the transfer of technology and knowledge, and the adoption of sustainable production, management practices and delivery processes. Still, much of the impact of FDI on resilience and sustainability depends on host country characteristics, industry dynamics and firm strategies.
Looking ahead, the strategic role of FDI in improving resilience and sustainability will gain importance. Asia-Pacific economies have been adopting policies to move higher in GVCs, and these efforts when further supported by initiatives that align investment decisions with diversification strategies and with measures around trade facilitation, technology adoption, and sustainability objectives, have the potential to transform Asia-Pacific from a cost-driven hub into a resilient and sustainable production and trade centre.
Against this backdrop, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), under its Asian Think Tank Network (ATTN) platform, in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and its Asia Training and Research Network (ARTNeT), and the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) is organising a project under the theme, “Resilient and Sustainable Supply Chains: The Strategic Role of Foreign Direct Investment”
The objective is two-fold: (a) to bridge the knowledge gap on strategic role of FDI in building resilient and sustainable supply chains; and (b) to strengthen the capacity of researchers in developing countries to conduct high-quality research on supply chain resilience and sustainability, thereby contributing to evidence-based public policy discourse within their institutions and governments.
The project explores ways in which FDI can strengthen supply chain resilience and sustainability and help Asia Pacific economies upgrade their position in GVCs. It examines policy frameworks, trade facilitation measures and digital policy infrastructure that enable diversification and adaptability in response to global shocks. Finally, the project aims to provide actionable insights for policymakers on aligning FDI strategies with trade, technology and sustainability goals, ensuring that investment flows not only drive growth but also enhance resilience and competitiveness in an increasingly uncertain global economy.
Downloads
Organizers
- Sanchita Basu Das
Senior Economist, Regional Cooperation and Integration Division, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, ADB - Rupa Chanda
Director, Trade, Investment and Innovation Division, UNESCAP - Rachita Gulati
Research Economist, ADBI - Phongpob Ben Methakullawat
Capacity Building Specialist, ADBI - Amitendu Palit
Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead (Trade and Economics), ISAS, NUS
Agenda:
Day 1: Tuesday, 6 October 2026
Opening Session
- Moderator:
Iqbal Singh Sevea Director, Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of SingaporeBioIqbal S. Sevea is the Director of the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS) at the National University of Singapore. He is a scholar of contemporary and modern South Asia, with a focus on South Asian politics, political thought and geopolitics.
He has held academic appointments at leading institutions globally and is the author of several publications. Before joining ISAS, he was an Associate Professor with the Department of History at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, where he was a faculty member from 2012 to 2021. Prior to this, he was an Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Contemporary Islam Programme at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. His publications include The Political Philosophy of Muhammad Iqbal: Islam and Nationalism in Late Colonial India (Cambridge University Press, 2012); India and the Future of G20: Shaping Policies for a Better World (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2023); and South Asia: Retrospect and Prospects (World Scientific Publishing, 2026).
Associate Professor Sevea completed his doctorate at the University of Oxford.- 09:00 – 09:40
Welcome Remarks (7 minutes)
Iqbal Singh Sevea Director, Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of SingaporeBioIqbal S. Sevea is the Director of the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS) at the National University of Singapore. He is a scholar of contemporary and modern South Asia, with a focus on South Asian politics, political thought and geopolitics.
He has held academic appointments at leading institutions globally and is the author of several publications. Before joining ISAS, he was an Associate Professor with the Department of History at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, where he was a faculty member from 2012 to 2021. Prior to this, he was an Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Contemporary Islam Programme at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. His publications include The Political Philosophy of Muhammad Iqbal: Islam and Nationalism in Late Colonial India (Cambridge University Press, 2012); India and the Future of G20: Shaping Policies for a Better World (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2023); and South Asia: Retrospect and Prospects (World Scientific Publishing, 2026).
Associate Professor Sevea completed his doctorate at the University of Oxford.Opening Remarks (15 minutes)
Bambang Brodjonegoro Dean and CEO, ADB InstituteBioBambang Brodjonegoro, an Indonesian national, is the Dean and CEO of the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI). Before joining ADBI in April 2025, he was Special Advisor to the President of the Republic of Indonesia for Economic Affairs and National Development. He served the Government of Indonesia in several senior leadership roles from 2011. He was Indonesia’s Minister of Finance (2014–2016), Minister of National Development Planning (2016–2019), and Minister of Research and Technology (2019-2021). Besides government and academic, he also served as Director General of Islamic Research and Training Institute (IRTI), Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) (2009–2010).
Dean Brodjonegoro holds a doctorate and master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Indonesia, where he was full Professor and serving as Dean during 2005–2009.
Abdul Abiad Deputy Chief Economist, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, Asian Development BankBio PresentationAbdul Abiad is Deputy Chief Economist at the Asian Development Bank in Manila, where he provides guidance on the Research Department’s strategic direction, flagship reports, and research priorities.
In his prior role as Director of Macroeconomic Research, he oversaw the preparation of the Asian Development Outlook reports. From 2000 to 2015, he was with the International Monetary Fund in Washington DC, where he worked on the World Economic Outlook. His research has focused on financial sector development, international financial integration, fiscal and monetary policy, exchange rates, trade, economic resilience, and infrastructure.
A Philippine national, he has a BS in Mathematics from the University of the Philippines and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania.Keynote Address (15 minutes)
Heng Swee Keat Chairman, National Research Foundation, and Former Deputy Prime Minister of SingaporeBioHeng Swee Keat is Chairman of the National Research Foundation. He is a Director of the GIC Board and a member of the GIC Investment Strategies Committee. He served as Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister from 2019 to 2025, Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies from 2020 to 2024, Minister for Education from 2011 to 2015, and Minister for Finance from 2015 to 2021. Before entering politics in 2011, he was Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. He also served as Permanent Secretary of the then-Ministry of Trade and Industry, as well as Chief Executive Officer of the then-Trade Development Board. Between 1997 and 2000, he was Principal Private Secretary to then-Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew.
Mr Heng holds a Master of Arts in Economics from Cambridge University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School.- 09:40 – 09:45
Photo Session- 09:45 – 10:00
Coffee Break
High Level Session I: Global Value Chains and Inclusive Development
- 10:00 – 11:15
Drawing from the findings of the Asian Development Policy Report (ADPR) 2026, the session will explore how global value chains can support inclusive growth amid emerging trends. It will highlight how targeted and well-coordinated policies alongside strong regional cooperation can help economies enter global value chains and upgrade their roles while ensuring the benefits are more widely shared.
Moderator:
Abdul Abiad Deputy Chief Economist, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, Asian Development BankBioAbdul Abiad is Deputy Chief Economist at the Asian Development Bank in Manila, where he provides guidance on the Research Department’s strategic direction, flagship reports, and research priorities.
In his prior role as Director of Macroeconomic Research, he oversaw the preparation of the Asian Development Outlook reports. From 2000 to 2015, he was with the International Monetary Fund in Washington DC, where he worked on the World Economic Outlook. His research has focused on financial sector development, international financial integration, fiscal and monetary policy, exchange rates, trade, economic resilience, and infrastructure.
A Philippine national, he has a BS in Mathematics from the University of the Philippines and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania.Presentation (15 minutes)
Neil Foster-McGregor Principal Economist, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, Asian Development BankBio PresentationNeil Foster-McGregor has broad research interests and has worked and published widely on topics including global value chains; preferential trade agreements; structural transformation; innovation and knowledge transfer; trade and labor markets; and new technologies, inequality and labor market outcomes.
Prior to joining ADB, he worked at the United Nations University – Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (UNU-MERIT) initially as a Research Fellow (2014-2016) and later as Deputy Director and Professor of Globalization and Innovation (2016-2023).Panel Discussion (40 minutes)
Bambang Brodjonegoro Dean and CEO, ADB InstituteBioBambang Brodjonegoro, an Indonesian national, is the Dean and CEO of the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI). Before joining ADBI in April 2025, he was Special Advisor to the President of the Republic of Indonesia for Economic Affairs and National Development. He served the Government of Indonesia in several senior leadership roles from 2011. He was Indonesia’s Minister of Finance (2014–2016), Minister of National Development Planning (2016–2019), and Minister of Research and Technology (2019-2021). Besides government and academic, he also served as Director General of Islamic Research and Training Institute (IRTI), Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) (2009–2010).
Dean Brodjonegoro holds a doctorate and master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Indonesia, where he was full Professor and serving as Dean during 2005–2009.
Rupa Chanda Director, Trade, Investment and Innovation Division, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the PacificBioRupa Chanda is Director of Trade, Investment, and Innovation Division at UN ESCAP. Previously, she was Professor of Economics at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore and an Economist at the International Monetary Fund. She holds a PhD from Columbia University and a BA from Harvard University.
Her research focuses on international trade in services, WTO issues, regional integration, health services, and migration. She has advised national and international bodies, undertaken research for leading international organizations, and published extensively in books, journals, and policy reports.
Radhika Rao Senior Economist and Executive Director, DBS BankBioRadhika Rao is Senior Economist and Executive Director in the Economics & Strategy Research Department at DBS Bank, Singapore. With nearly two decades of experience in macroeconomics and financial markets research, she covers South and Southeast Asia, with a particular focus on India and Indonesia, as well as the Eurozone.
She regularly engages with corporate clients, policymakers, trade missions, sovereign institutions, and the media on economic and market developments. Prior to joining DBS in 2013, she worked with private-sector research firms and gained experience in investment banking in Singapore.Q&A (20 minutes)
High Level Session II: Impact of FDI on ASEAN Countries: Looking Back to Look Forward
- 11:15 – 12:30
This session examines how FDI from Japan, People’s Republic of China (PRC), and Republic of Korea (ROK) shapes ASEAN’s structural transformation, productivity, and regional integration amid global supply chain shifts, informing policies to maximise opportunities and manage risks.
Moderator:
Sanchita Basu Das Economist, Regional Cooperation and Integration Division, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, ADBBioSanchita Basu Das is Senior Economist in the Regional Cooperation and Integration Division of ADB’s Economic Research and Development Impact Department, where she contributes to flagship publications, analytical studies, and policy forums including G20, ASEAN, and ASEAN+3.
Her research focuses on regional cooperation and integration, including trade, logistics, economic corridors, tourism, and the digital economy. Before joining ADB in 2018, she was Lead Researcher for Economic Affairs at the ASEAN Studies Centre of the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. She holds a PhD in International Political Economy from Nanyang Technological University and master’s degrees from the University of Delhi and the National University of Singapore.Presentation (15 minutes)
Kian Heng Peh Group Head and Lead Economist, ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO)BioKian Heng Peh is Group Head and Lead Economist at the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO), where he focuses on macroeconomic surveillance of ASEAN+3 economies. Previously, he was Head of Corporate Investment at United Overseas Bank and an investment strategist at OCBC. He also held senior roles at the Monetary Authority of Singapore and was seconded to the International Monetary Fund. He holds a Master of Arts in International Political Economy from the University of Warwick and a Bachelor of Social Sciences from the National University of Singapore.
Rolando Avendano Senior Economist, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, Asian Development BankBioRolando Avendano is a Senior Economist at the Economic Research and Development Impact Department of the Asian Development Bank. His research focuses on financial and international economics, particularly cross-border investment, financial development, regional integration, and competitiveness.
His recent work centers on FDI and geoeconomic fragmentation, trade in digital services, and regional integration and productivity. Prior to joining ADB, he held several roles at the OECD. He was Lecturer at the School of Engineering at University of Los Andes (Colombia) and research associate at University College London (UK). He holds a BSc in Industrial Engineering from the University of Los Andes and MSc and PhD degrees in Economics from the Paris School of Economics.Panel Discussion (40 minutes)
Ahmad Zafarullah Abdul Jalil Director, ASEAN Integration Monitoring Directorate, ASEAN SecretariatBioAhmad Zafarullah Abdul Jalil is Director of the ASEAN Integration Monitoring Directorate at the ASEAN Secretariat, where he oversees the monitoring of ASEAN’s regional economic integration agenda and related initiatives.
Previously, he served as Senior Economist at the Islamic Development Bank, Senior Manager at the Securities Commission Malaysia, and Associate Professor of Economics at Universiti Utara Malaysia. He holds a PhD in Economics from CERDI, Université d’Auvergne, France.
Evelyn Devadason Professor, Faculty of Business and Economics, Universiti MalayaBioEvelyn Devadason is Professor at the Faculty of Business and Economics, Universiti Malaya, and Vice President of the Malaysian Economic Association.
Her research focuses on international trade and regional integration, with an emphasis on policy relevance and cross-regional analysis. She serves as an Expert Member of the Malaysian Parliament’s Special Committee on Economics and Finance and holds advisory and board roles with several national and regional institutions. She is also an associate editor of leading economics journals and has undertaken research and policy collaborations with international organizations, including ADB, ADBI, the World Bank, UNCTAD, and the European Union.
Cassey Lee Principal Fellow and Coordinator, Regional Economic Studies Programme, ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, SingaporeBioCassey Lee is currently Principal Fellow and Coordinator of the Regional Economic Studies Programme at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute and Honorary Professor at the Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Malaya.
He has held academic appointments at the University of Wollongong, Nottingham University Business School (Malaysia) and University of Malaya. Dr Lee received his PhD (Economics) from the University of California, Irvine. His current research focuses on structural change, competition policy and political economy. He is the co-managing editor of the Journal of Southeast Asian Economies and associate editor of the Asian Economic Journal and Asian Economic Policy Review.Q&A (20 minutes)- 12:30 – 13:30
Lunch Break
Special Session: Advancing Digital Trade and Cross-Border E-Commerce
- 13:30 – 14:45
Drawing on insights from the ATTN 2025 publication on Advancing Digital Trade and Cross-Border E-Commerce, this session explores the key issues and challenges hindering the growth of cross-border e-commerce and digital trade in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly barriers preventing MSMEs from participating fully. While digital economy agreements promote regulatory harmonisation and interoperability, further efforts are needed to translate these commitments into effective policies and implementation.
Moderator:
Shu Tian Principal Economist, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, ADBBioShu Tian is a Principal Economist at the Economic Research and Development Impact Department (ERDI) of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Her research interests include financial sector development, sustainable and climate finance, and digitalization.
Her work has been published in the Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Journal of Banking & Finance, Journal of Corporate Finance, Financial Management, Finance and Accounting. Prior to joining ADB, she was an Associate Professor of Finance at Fudan University in China.Presentation: Introduction to ATTN and Advancing Digital Trade Cooperation (15 minutes)
Jong Woo Kang Director, Regional Cooperation and Integration Division, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, Asian Development BankBio PresentationJong Woo Kang is Director of Regional Cooperation and Integration Division at the Economic Research and Development Impact Department of the Asian Development Bank.
As director, he serves as an interface between ADB’s internal and external stakeholders on regional cooperation and integration. He has previously served as Principal Economist, Senior Advisor to the Managing Director General, and Senior Economist in ADB’s Strategy and Policy Department. He leads the annual publication of the Asian Economic Integration Report.
His research interests include regional integration, inclusive growth, macroeconomic policies, international trade and finance, and aid effectiveness. He obtained his BA in Economics and MA in Public Administration from Seoul National University and a PhD in Economics from the University of Washington.Presentation: ARTNeT, APSDJ, and Country Findings (10 minutes)
Rupa Chanda Director, Trade, Investment and Innovation Division, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the PacificBio PresentationRupa Chanda is Director of Trade, Investment, and Innovation Division at UN ESCAP. Previously, she was Professor of Economics at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore and an Economist at the International Monetary Fund. She holds a PhD from Columbia University and a BA from Harvard University.
Her research focuses on international trade in services, WTO issues, regional integration, health services, and migration. She has advised national and international bodies, undertaken research for leading international organizations, and published extensively in books, journals, and policy reports.Discussion (30 minutes)
Kiyoshi Taniguchi Regional Lead Economist, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, ADBBio PresentationKiyoshi Taniguchi is Regional Lead Economist for ADB’s South Asia Department. He previously served as Regional Lead Economist for the Central and West Asia Department and as Country Economist at the Pakistan Resident Mission, covering Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Before joining ADB, he worked with the World Bank in Indonesia and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. He has also taught development economics at universities in Japan, Uzbekistan, and the Philippines.
He holds a doctorate and master’s degree in Economics from Ohio State University, a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Oregon, and a law degree from Chiba University.
Ashutosh Bajpai Vice President APEC Gateways & Customs, DHL Express APEC Regional OfficeBioAshutosh Bajpai is a senior logistics executive with extensive regional and country leadership experience across DHL Express and the broader logistics sector.
Since 2020, he has led Ground, Gateways and Customs Operations for DHL Express across APEC, based in Singapore. Previously, he served for nearly a decade as COO of DHL Express India and as Senior Director for Public Policy at Deutsche Post DHL, leading government engagement initiatives across South Asia.
His experience spans logistics operations, customs and regulatory affairs, trade facilitation, and public policy. He holds an MBA in International Business and a Diploma in Logistics Management.Q&A (20 minutes)
Session I: State and Trends of FDI and Supply Chain Transformation in Asia and the Pacific
- 14:45 – 16:00
This session will feature selected papers from the ATTN Call for Papers on Resilient and Sustainable Supply Chains: The Strategic Role of Foreign Direct Investment.
Moderator:
Phongpob Ben Methakullawat Capacity Building Specialist, ADBIBioPhongpob Ben Methakullawat is an economist with a diplomatic background and extensive experience in regional integration, trade, investment, and development cooperation.
He began his career as a diplomat with Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and later served as an economist at the ASEAN Secretariat, working on regional economic integration initiatives. He also served as National Project Coordinator for the International Trade Centre and held a leadership role at the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), where he coordinated partnerships with UN agencies and South-South cooperation initiatives.
He holds a PhD and master’s degrees in Economics from the Australian National University and an honours degree from the University of Melbourne.Practitioner’s Perspective (10 minutes)
Geethanjali Nataraj Principal, International Trade Policy, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), New DelhiBio PresentationGeethanjali Nataraj is Principal, International Trade Policy, at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), New Delhi.
An economist with more than 28 years of research and teaching experience, her expertise spans international trade policy, WTO issues, regional trade agreements, foreign direct investment, services, and the economies of South Asia, Japan, and China.
She has published widely in national and international journals and regularly writes on trade, G20, and BRICS issues.Paper Presentations (15 minutes each)Digital FDI and Smart Supply Chains in India: Exploring Pathways for Resilience in a Changing Global Environment
Maitri Ghosh Joint Director of Public Instruction & Officer on Special Duty, Department of Higher Education, Government of West BengalBio PresentationMaitri Ghosh is Joint Director of Public Instruction and Officer on Special Duty at the Department of Higher Education, Government of West Bengal, India.
Previously, she served as Joint Secretary (Academic) at the West Bengal State Council of Higher Education and taught Economics for over two decades. She holds a PhD in Economics from Jadavpur University.
Her research focuses on foreign direct investment, international trade, technology spillovers, export performance, and labour market outcomes in manufacturing.Global Supply Chain Reconfiguration: The Evolution of Asymmetric Dependence between China and the United States and the Third-Party Effects
Kun Cai Postdoctoral Researcher, Wuhan UniversityBio PresentationKun Cai is a postdoctoral researcher at Wuhan University in China.
Her research interest lies at the intersection of global value chains and geoeconomics, particularly on innovation networks and firm heterogeneity. Her recent work focuses on China’s new energy vehicle industry, industrial upgrading, and cross-border activities of Chinese firms.
She holds a PhD in Economics from the University of International Business and Economics in China.Has RCEP Created Trade Among Its Members? Product-Level Evidence from Member and Non-Member Supply to RCEP Markets
Ivan Harris Tanyag Graduate Student, University of the Philippines DilimanBio PresentationIvan Harris Tanyag is an advanced-stage master’s candidate at the University of the Philippines Diliman and an alumnus of the ASEAN Law and Policy Academy at the Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore.
His work has appeared in internationally published volumes by Springer Nature, Routledge, and the Asian Development Bank Institute. His research interests include big-data analytics, remote sensing, urban and environmental studies, urban economics, international trade, and regional economic integration.Q&A (20 minutes)- 16:00 – 16:15
Coffee Break
Session II: FDI Policy, Geopolitics, and Strategic Enablers of Supply Chain Resilience
- 16:15 – 17:15
This session will feature selected papers from the ATTN Call for Papers on Resilient and Sustainable Supply Chains: The Strategic Role of Foreign Direct Investment.
Moderator:
Kiyoshi Taniguchi Regional Lead Economist, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, ADBBioKiyoshi Taniguchi is Regional Lead Economist for ADB’s South Asia Department. He previously served as Regional Lead Economist for the Central and West Asia Department and as Country Economist at the Pakistan Resident Mission, covering Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Before joining ADB, he worked with the World Bank in Indonesia and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. He has also taught development economics at universities in Japan, Uzbekistan, and the Philippines.
He holds a doctorate and master’s degree in Economics from Ohio State University, a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Oregon, and a law degree from Chiba University.Practitioner’s Perspective (10 minutes)
Elizabeth Chelliah Principal Trade Consultant, Singapore Business FederationBioElizabeth Chelliah, a lawyer by profession, recently retired as Principal Trade Specialist at Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Over her 30 years in the Singapore Civil Service, she covered a wide range of portfolios including WTO dispute settlement, APEC, free trade agreement negotiations, and regional economic integration.
She has served as Singapore’s Chief Negotiator for the Singapore-Peru FTA and chaired the RCEP Intellectual Property Working Group. She is currently Principal Trade Consultant with the Singapore Business Federation and an Adjunct Senior Fellow at RSIS.Paper Presentations (15 minutes each)Shifting Sources and Drivers of Greenfield FDI in Southeast Asia
Carlos Mangunsong Senior Advisor, DTS IndonesiaBio PresentationCarlos Mangunsong is Senior Advisor at DTS Indonesia, where his work focuses on macroeconomics, international trade and investment, industrial policy, and applied econometrics. He is concurrently Director of Development Investment at the Danantara Development Management Fund.
With over two decades of experience in economic research and policy, he has held senior roles with Prospera, the Australia Indonesia Partnership for Economic Governance, the World Bank Group, and the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Jakarta. His research covers trade agreements, export promotion, production networks, and digital financial inclusion. He holds master’s degrees in Business Economics from Monash University and Development Studies from the Bandung Institute of Technology.Enhancing Tourism Resilience in the Context of Foreign Direct Investment: Strategic Development of Transnational Tourism Routes along the Middle Corridor
Arzu Huseyn Visiting Professor, Ankara Haci Bayram Veli UniversityBio PresentationArzu Huseyn is Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Tourism, Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University. Previously, she served as Head of the Department of Management at Azerbaijan Tourism and Management University and held research and leadership positions at the Institute of Economics of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences. With over two decades of teaching and research experience, her work focuses on tourism, regional development, and public administration. She has authored four books and more than 50 academic articles. She holds advanced degrees in public administration and economics, including a PhD and Doctor of Science in Economics.
Q&A (20 minutes)- 17:15 – 17:20
Wrap-up for Day 1
Welcome Reception (by invitation only)
Day 2: Wednesday, 7 October 2026- 18:00 – 20:00
- Welcome Reception (by invitation only)
High Level Session III: Trade and Quality Growth
- 09:15 – 10:30
Asia’s middle-income economies risk stalled convergence as traditional export-led models and policies lose traction amid geopolitical shifts, technological change, and supply chain reconfiguration. The policy challenge is to combine trade openness with domestic capability-building, digital adoption, and regional cooperation, while lowering non-tariff barriers, harmonizing standards, and building interoperable digital and trade infrastructure to turn disruption into opportunity and support quality growth in a fragmenting global order.
Moderator:
Jong Woo Kang Director, Regional Cooperation and Integration Division, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, Asian Development BankBioJong Woo Kang is Director of Regional Cooperation and Integration Division at the Economic Research and Development Impact Department of the Asian Development Bank.
As director, he serves as an interface between ADB’s internal and external stakeholders on regional cooperation and integration. He has previously served as Principal Economist, Senior Advisor to the Managing Director General, and Senior Economist in ADB’s Strategy and Policy Department. He leads the annual publication of the Asian Economic Integration Report.
His research interests include regional integration, inclusive growth, macroeconomic policies, international trade and finance, and aid effectiveness. He obtained his BA in Economics and MA in Public Administration from Seoul National University and a PhD in Economics from the University of Washington.Lead Speaker (15 minutes)
Bambang Brodjonegoro Dean and CEO, ADB InstituteBio PresentationBambang Brodjonegoro, an Indonesian national, is the Dean and CEO of the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI). Before joining ADBI in April 2025, he was Special Advisor to the President of the Republic of Indonesia for Economic Affairs and National Development. He served the Government of Indonesia in several senior leadership roles from 2011. He was Indonesia’s Minister of Finance (2014–2016), Minister of National Development Planning (2016–2019), and Minister of Research and Technology (2019-2021). Besides government and academic, he also served as Director General of Islamic Research and Training Institute (IRTI), Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) (2009–2010).
Dean Brodjonegoro holds a doctorate and master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Indonesia, where he was full Professor and serving as Dean during 2005–2009.Panel Discussion (40 minutes)
Lili Yan Ing Secretary General, International Economic Association (IEA)BioLili Yan Ing is Secretary General of the International Economic Association and a Distinguished Fellow of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
She previously served as Senior Advisor on Trade and Investment at the President’s Office of Indonesia and Lead Advisor to Indonesia’s Minister of Trade, contributing to major trade and investment initiatives and negotiations, including RCEP and several comprehensive economic partnership agreements. She has represented Indonesia at G20 and WTO-OECD ministerial meetings.
Her contributions to economics have been recognized through the IEA Fellow Award and the PAFTAD Promising Young Economist recognition.
Allen Ng Group Head and Lead Economist, ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research OfficeBioAllen Ng leads the Regional Surveillance group, which is responsible for the annual ASEAN+3 Regional Economic Outlook and related updates, and oversees macroeconomic and financial surveillance of Thailand.
Previously, he served as Chief Economist of the Securities Commission Malaysia and Director of Research at the Khazanah Research Institute. He also spent more than a decade at Bank Negara Malaysia, where his senior roles included Deputy Director of the Monetary Policy Department and Deputy Director of the Economics Department, focusing on macroeconomic surveillance, monetary policy, and structural policy research.
He holds a BA and an MPhil in Economics from the University of Cambridge.
Carlos López-Gómez Head of Policy, IfM Engage, University of CambridgeBioCarlos López-Gómez is Head of Policy, IfM Engage, University of Cambridge, where he leads work on industrial and innovation policy. His team advises governments, international organisations and development banks on technology, innovation and competitiveness.
He began his career in automotive and industrial automation engineering and has international experience, including a secondment to the Japan Science and Technology Agency. He holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge and is a Fellow of Churchill College.Q&A (20 minutes)- 10:30 – 10:45
Coffee Break
ASEAN Regional Roundtable
- 10:45 – 12:15
ASEAN’s Regional Investment Promotion Action Plan (RIPAP) 2025–2030 provides a platform to position ASEAN as one investment destination, leveraging shared advantages rather than competing country by country. The session will explore how ASEAN and its partners can deepen investment cooperation, strengthen regional value chains, and accelerate the green transition. Speakers will discuss opportunities to mobilize investment in priority sectors such as carbon capture and storage, biofuels, smart grids, green shipping, sustainable building materials, and medical devices, while enhancing coordination among investment promotion agencies and connecting ASEAN’s capabilities with complementary strengths across the region.
Moderator:
Phongpob Ben Methakullawat Capacity Building Specialist, ADBIBioPhongpob Ben Methakullawat is an economist with a diplomatic background and extensive experience in regional integration, trade, investment, and development cooperation.
He began his career as a diplomat with Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and later served as an economist at the ASEAN Secretariat, working on regional economic integration initiatives. He also served as National Project Coordinator for the International Trade Centre and held a leadership role at the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), where he coordinated partnerships with UN agencies and South-South cooperation initiatives.
He holds a PhD and master’s degrees in Economics from the Australian National University and an honours degree from the University of Melbourne.Roundtable Discussion
Ahmad Zafarullah Abdul Jalil Director, ASEAN Integration Monitoring Directorate, ASEAN SecretariatBioAhmad Zafarullah Abdul Jalil is Director of the ASEAN Integration Monitoring Directorate at the ASEAN Secretariat, where he oversees the monitoring of ASEAN’s regional economic integration agenda and related initiatives.
Previously, he served as Senior Economist at the Islamic Development Bank, Senior Manager at the Securities Commission Malaysia, and Associate Professor of Economics at Universiti Utara Malaysia. He holds a PhD in Economics from CERDI, Université d’Auvergne, France.
Roberto Lai Deputy Executive Director, TradeInvest Timor-LesteBioRoberto Lai is Deputy Executive Director at TradeInvest Timor-Leste, the national agency responsible for promoting and facilitating private investment and exports.
In this role, he works to strengthen Timor-Leste’s international visibility, promote investor confidence, and build partnerships that support the country’s sustainable development goals. Prior to joining TradeInvest, he held various positions in the banking sector, with experience in lending, risk and compliance, and global markets.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the Indonesian Adventist University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business and Administration from Massey University, New Zealand.
Masni binti Muhammad Senior Executive Director, Malaysian Investment Development Authority, MalaysiaBio PresentationMasni Muhammad is the Senior Executive Director of Investment Policy Advocacy at the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA). She is a central figure in shaping Malaysia’s industrial landscape and investment framework.
She leads the division responsible for the planning, formulation, and review of national investment policies. Her work is particularly focused on policy intervention and structural reforms designed to keep Malaysia competitive in a shifting global economy. She is actively involved in navigating complex investment-related tax challenges, including the implementation of the Global Minimum Tax (GMT) and the development of the New Investment Incentive Framework.
She held leadership roles across diverse sectors, including petrochemicals, advanced materials, and oil & gas. She provides deep insights into how policy decisions directly influence investor confidence and national economic development. She obtained a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (Hons) from University Malaya.
Maria Corazon Halili-Dichosa Executive Director, Board of Investments, PhilippinesBio PresentationCorazon Halili-Dichosa is Executive Director of the Industry Development Services at the Board of Investments (BOI), overseeing infrastructure and services, resource-based and manufacturing industries, as well as investment policy and planning.
Her work spans industry development, international marketing, treaty negotiations, investment policies and programs, and environmental policy. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Chemical Engineering from Mapúa Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Laws from Adamson University, with further training in regional marketing of Carl Duisberg Gesellschaft and strategic business economics from the University of Asia and the Pacific.
Bounthanom Mekdala Deputy Director, Investment Promotion and Management Committee Office, Lao PDRBioBounthanom Mekdala is Deputy Director of the Investment Cooperation Division at the Investment Promotion and Management Committee Office of Lao PDR.
Previously, at the Ministry of Planning and Investment, he supported the mobilization of Official Development Assistance for key development sectors. He also served at the Lao Embassy in Japan, where he promoted investment opportunities in Lao PDR.
In his current role, he works to strengthen investment cooperation and engage foreign investors across various sectors.
Edgard Rodriguez Senior Program Specialist, International Development Research Centre (IDRC)BioEdgard Rodriguez is an expert in capacity building for public policy research, economic development, small enterprise development, and labour markets, with a particular focus on youth employment and the care economy across Asia and Latin America.
At IDRC, he has worked with universities, think tanks, and research networks to strengthen training and mentoring for emerging policy researchers and thought leaders. He has also led initiatives promoting gender-sensitive public policy in Myanmar.
He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Toronto, specializing in economic development and labour economics.- 12:15 – 13:30
Lunch Break
Session III: Impact of FDI, Digital Governance, and External Shocks on Supply Chain Resilience and Sustainability
- 13:30 – 14:45
This session will feature selected papers from the ATTN Call for Papers on Resilient and Sustainable Supply Chains: The Strategic Role of Foreign Direct Investment.
Moderator:
Vinod Rai Honorary Senior Fellow, ISAS, NUS; and Former Comptroller and Auditor General of IndiaBioVinod Rai is an Honorary Senior Fellow at ISAS and former Comptroller and Auditor General, India. He joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1972 as part of the Kerala Cadre.
He has wide experience of having worked in the state government of Kerala as well as the central government of India. He was District Collector of Thrissur district and Finance Secretary to the Kerala government. In the Union government, he worked in the Ministries of Commerce, Defence and Finance. He also served on the boards of the State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, LIC of India and IDFC.
Mr Rai has served on the board of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions, chaired the Asian Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions and the United Nations panel of external auditors, and served as a trustee on the Global Board of Trustees of the International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation.Practitioner’s Perspective (10 minutes)
Edgard Rodriguez Senior Program Specialist, International Development Research Centre (IDRC)Bio PresentationEdgard Rodriguez is an expert in capacity building for public policy research, economic development, small enterprise development, and labour markets, with a particular focus on youth employment and the care economy across Asia and Latin America.
At IDRC, he has worked with universities, think tanks, and research networks to strengthen training and mentoring for emerging policy researchers and thought leaders. He has also led initiatives promoting gender-sensitive public policy in Myanmar.
He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Toronto, specializing in economic development and labour economics.Paper Presentations (15 minutes each)Digital Trade Restrictiveness and the Integration–Resilience Trade-Off: The Role of Foreign Direct Investment in ASEAN Global Value Chains
Vighneswara Swamy Professor, ICFAI School of Social SciencesBio PresentationVighneswara Swamy is Professor of Economics and Dean of Research at the ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education (IFHE), Hyderabad, India, with over two decades of experience in research, teaching, academic leadership, and consultancy.
His research spans international economics, macroeconomic policy, banking and finance, digital trade, foreign direct investment, global value chains, and economic resilience. His work has been published in leading international journals including The World Economy, World Development, International Review of Economics & Finance, and Economic Analysis and Policy.
His recent research focuses on digital trade restrictions, FDI, ASEAN global value chains, supply-chain resilience, fintech, and macro-financial transmission.Resilience and Fragility in Bangladesh’s Garment Global Value Chain: Evidence from COVID-19 Disruptions, Exchange-Rate Shocks, and Buyer Market Power
Aminur Rahman Advisor, Office of the Chief Economist and Director General, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, Asian Development BankBio PresentationAminur Rahman is Advisor in the Office of the Chief Economist and Director General of ADB’s Economic Research and Development Impact Department.
He has over 22 years of experience across ADB, the World Bank, and the International Finance Corporation, working on development challenges in more than 40 countries across Asia, the Pacific, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
His research has appeared in leading journals including the Journal of Development Economics, Journal of Economic Geography, Journal of Comparative Economics, and World Development. He holds a PhD in Economics from University College London and an MSc in Development Economics from the University of Oxford.Does efficiency-seeking FDI promote sustainable and resilient supply chains? Firm-level evidence from Thai manufacturing under the Green Industry policy
Minh Tam Bui Assistant Professor, Faculty of Economics, Srinakharinwirot UniversityBio PresentationMinh Tam Bui is Assistant Professor of Economics at Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, with over 15 years of teaching and research experience.
Prior to joining academia, she worked as an economist with government agencies and international development projects in Vietnam, collaborating with organizations including the World Bank, ADB, ILO, and UNDP. She has also been a Visiting Scholar at the University of Utah and Meiji University.
Her research focuses on international and labor economics, gender and development, trade and FDI, regional economic integration, and the care economy. She holds a PhD in Economics from Thammasat University.Q&A (20 minutes)
Panel Session: FDI and Regional Mechanisms for Supply Chain Resilience
- 14:45 – 15:45
This session will feature a panel discussion with selected authors from the ATTN Call for Papers on Resilient and Sustainable Supply Chains: The Strategic Role of Foreign Direct Investment.
Moderator:
Aminur Rahman Advisor, Office of the Chief Economist and Director General, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, Asian Development BankBioAminur Rahman is Advisor in the Office of the Chief Economist and Director General of ADB’s Economic Research and Development Impact Department.
He has over 22 years of experience across ADB, the World Bank, and the International Finance Corporation, working on development challenges in more than 40 countries across Asia, the Pacific, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
His research has appeared in leading journals including the Journal of Development Economics, Journal of Economic Geography, Journal of Comparative Economics, and World Development. He holds a PhD in Economics from University College London and an MSc in Development Economics from the University of Oxford.Panel Discussion (10 minutes each)Leveraging the "ABCDE" Framework to Enhance Supply Chain Resilience: The Strategic Role of FDI in Developing Asia’s Green and Digital Transition
Koh How Tze Director, BSYS Solution (M) Sdn BhdBio PresentationKoh How Tze is a Computer Engineering graduate from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and an industry veteran who believes the best way to predict the future is to create it by turning ideas into scalable systems and real-world outcomes.
He is the architect of the ABCDE Framework within the True Wealth Hexagon, a columnist for the Sarawak Tribune’s Leadership Horizon, a technology strategist and a trainer specializing in AI/AIGC and Blockchain.
A speaker for organizations like The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM), Koh regularly presents globally to promote his True Wealth model and highlight Borneo’s growing role in global innovation.RCEP as a Trade Shock Absorber under Global Fragmentation: Implications for FDI Resilience and Industrial Upgrading in Vietnam
Adeel Ahmed Lecturer in Economics, RMIT UniversityBio PresentationAdeel Ahmed is a Lecturer in Economics at RMIT University Vietnam. He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Malaya and completed his postdoctoral research at the University of Waterloo, Canada.
He is also certified in Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) courses offered by Purdue University. His expertise lies in computable general equilibrium (CGE) modelling using GTAP and GAMS.
His research focuses on international trade, trade policy, energy economics, and environmental economics.Is FDI Enough? Rethinking Sustainability in ASEAN-6 Supply Chains under Macro-Financial and Institutional Conditions
Nurul Hasanah Uswati Dewi Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business, Hayam Wuruk Perbanas University, IndonesiaBio PresentationNurul Hasanah Uswati Dewi is Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business at Hayam Wuruk Perbanas University, Indonesia.
With extensive experience in academia and professional practice, her expertise spans financial accounting, auditing, corporate governance, accounting information systems, and internal control. Prior to her academic career, she worked as a Senior Auditor and has served as a consultant to small and medium-sized enterprises.
She has published widely in national and international journals and has led research supported by Indonesia’s Ministry of Higher Education and Bank Indonesia. She holds a Doctorate in Accounting from Brawijaya University.Q&A (20 minutes)- 15:45 – 16:00
Coffee Break
Think Tank Policy Roundtable
- 16:00 – 17:30
Heightened uncertainties for the global economy have prioritized safeguarding national and regional economic securities being reshaped by geopolitics, supply chain shifts, and security-centric views on foreign investment. Foreign investment inflows are no more limited to creating industrial capacities, technology diffusion, and local jobs. They’re essential for making supply chains resilient through greater diversification, sustainability, and strategic cooperation.
The roundtable will explore how countries from the Asia-Pacific, especially smaller ones, can address unforeseen geo-economic challenges by collaborating on investments and supply chains. It will consider the roles of existing and evolving rules-based frameworks - CPTPP, RCEP, ASEAN+1 FTAs, DEFA and FTIP, in this regard, in the context of regional impacts of major geopolitical conflicts.
Moderator:
Iqbal Singh Sevea Director, Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of SingaporeBioIqbal S. Sevea is the Director of the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS) at the National University of Singapore. He is a scholar of contemporary and modern South Asia, with a focus on South Asian politics, political thought and geopolitics.
He has held academic appointments at leading institutions globally and is the author of several publications. Before joining ISAS, he was an Associate Professor with the Department of History at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, where he was a faculty member from 2012 to 2021. Prior to this, he was an Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Contemporary Islam Programme at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. His publications include The Political Philosophy of Muhammad Iqbal: Islam and Nationalism in Late Colonial India (Cambridge University Press, 2012); India and the Future of G20: Shaping Policies for a Better World (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2023); and South Asia: Retrospect and Prospects (World Scientific Publishing, 2026).
Associate Professor Sevea completed his doctorate at the University of Oxford.Roundtable Discussion
Ong Keng Yong Executive Deputy Chairman, S. Rajaratnam School of International StudiesBioOng Keng Yong is Executive Deputy Chairman of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He is concurrently Director of the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies and Head of the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research.
He served as the 11th Secretary-General of ASEAN, based in Jakarta, Indonesia, from January 2003 for five years.
Peter Govindasamy Executive Director, Energy Studies Institute and Adjunct Professor, WTO Chair Holder, NUSBioPeter Govindasamy is Executive Director of the Energy Studies Institute at the National University of Singapore. He is also an Adjunct Professor and serves as the University’s WTO Chair Holder.
He has over 30 years of experience with Singapore’s foreign affairs and trade ministries at the United Nations, WTO and other international organizations, covering trade, investment, energy, climate and sustainable development issues.
He served as Senior Adviser to the UAE Presidency of COP28, chaired WTO negotiations on Domestic Regulation in Services, and was Singapore’s Chief Negotiator for the Pacific Alliance-Singapore Free Trade Agreement.
Chan Heng Chee Chair, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute; Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore; Honorary Professor, Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities, SUTDBioChan Heng Chee is Ambassador-at-Large with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore and Honorary Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities, Singapore University of Technology and Design.
She is Chair of ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute and a member of the Presidential Council for Minority Rights. She also serves in leadership roles across several academic, policy and research institutions.
Previously, she was Singapore’s Ambassador to the United States and Permanent Representative to the United Nations. She has received numerous national and international awards and honorary degrees.- 17:30 – 17:35
Wrap-up for Day 2
Networking Dinner (by invitation only)
Day 3: Thursday, 8 October 2026- 18:00 – 20:00
- Networking Dinner (by invitation only)
High Level Session IV: Creative Economy and its Role in Enhancing Economic Resilience
- 09:15 – 10:30
Creative industries positively impact economic outputs and drive contemporary sustainable tourism. Such tourism draws competitive advantages from creativity, cultural identity, knowledge, sustainable practices and experience creation. The discussions will reflect on synergies between creative economy and contemporary tourism and the prospects of encouraging more investments in tourism-facing creative industries in the region.
Moderator:
Vinod Rai Honorary Senior Fellow, ISAS, NUS; and Former Comptroller and Auditor General of IndiaBioVinod Rai is an Honorary Senior Fellow at ISAS and former Comptroller and Auditor General, India. He joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1972 as part of the Kerala Cadre.
He has wide experience of having worked in the state government of Kerala as well as the central government of India. He was District Collector of Thrissur district and Finance Secretary to the Kerala government. In the Union government, he worked in the Ministries of Commerce, Defence and Finance. He also served on the boards of the State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, LIC of India and IDFC.
Mr Rai has served on the board of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions, chaired the Asian Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions and the United Nations panel of external auditors, and served as a trustee on the Global Board of Trustees of the International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation.Presentation (10 minutes)
Amitendu Palit Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead (Trade and Economics), Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of SingaporeBioAmitendu Palit is Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead (Trade and Economics) at the Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore. He is also Senior Associate Fellow at Asia Centre of ISPI Milan and an expert with the Economic Security Forum, Helsinki.
Prior to joining NUS, he worked for several years in India’s Ministry of Finance. His research areas include international trade policies, geoeconomics, AI and digital trade rules, the Indo-Pacific, Global South, and India.
He is the author of several books and has consulted for the World Bank, ADB, and IDRC. He regularly appears as an expert on CNA, CNBC, BBC, ABC and Bloomberg News.Panel Discussion (50 minutes)
Carlos Kuriyama Director, APEC Policy Support UnitBioCarlos Kuriyama is Director of the Policy Support Unit at the APEC Secretariat, where his work focuses on trade and investment liberalization, regulatory reform, and structural reform across the Asia-Pacific region.
Prior to joining the APEC Secretariat, he served at Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism, including as Chief Negotiator for the Peru-China Free Trade Agreement and General Coordinator for the Peru-Singapore Free Trade Agreement.
He also has academic experience as an Associate Researcher and Lecturer in Economics at Universidad del Pacífico. He holds a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University.
Sanchita Basu Das Economist, Regional Cooperation and Integration Division, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, ADBBioSanchita Basu Das is Senior Economist in the Regional Cooperation and Integration Division of ADB’s Economic Research and Development Impact Department, where she contributes to flagship publications, analytical studies, and policy forums including G20, ASEAN, and ASEAN+3.
Her research focuses on regional cooperation and integration, including trade, logistics, economic corridors, tourism, and the digital economy. Before joining ADB in 2018, she was Lead Researcher for Economic Affairs at the ASEAN Studies Centre of the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. She holds a PhD in International Political Economy from Nanyang Technological University and master’s degrees from the University of Delhi and the National University of Singapore.
Evelyn Devadason Professor, Faculty of Business and Economics, Universiti MalayaBioEvelyn Devadason is Professor at the Faculty of Business and Economics, Universiti Malaya, and Vice President of the Malaysian Economic Association.
Her research focuses on international trade and regional integration, with an emphasis on policy relevance and cross-regional analysis. She serves as an Expert Member of the Malaysian Parliament’s Special Committee on Economics and Finance and holds advisory and board roles with several national and regional institutions. She is also an associate editor of leading economics journals and has undertaken research and policy collaborations with international organizations, including ADB, ADBI, the World Bank, UNCTAD, and the European Union.Q&A (10 minutes)- 10:30 – 10:45
Coffee Break
Forward Looking Session: Digital Trade and AI: New Opportunities and Risks for Growth, Trade and Investment
- 10:45 – 12:00
Digitalisation and AI are becoming increasingly important in policy discussions for supply chain resilience and inclusive growth. The session will examine their macroeconomic implications for jobs, productivity, economic growth, finance, as well as regulation practice to leverage AI for development. It will also explore their impact on trade and FDI with particular attention on the growing gap in various economies between participations in digital trade and evolution of national digital regulations. The session will discuss existing and upcoming digital cooperation agreements for their impact on FDI, as well as on encouraging investments focused on sustainability, competitiveness, and long-term growth.
Moderator:
Abdul Abiad Deputy Chief Economist, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, Asian Development BankBioAbdul Abiad is Deputy Chief Economist at the Asian Development Bank in Manila, where he provides guidance on the Research Department’s strategic direction, flagship reports, and research priorities.
In his prior role as Director of Macroeconomic Research, he oversaw the preparation of the Asian Development Outlook reports. From 2000 to 2015, he was with the International Monetary Fund in Washington DC, where he worked on the World Economic Outlook. His research has focused on financial sector development, international financial integration, fiscal and monetary policy, exchange rates, trade, economic resilience, and infrastructure.
A Philippine national, he has a BS in Mathematics from the University of the Philippines and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania.Presentation on Digital FDI: Trends and Impact (20 minutes)
Shu Tian Principal Economist, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, ADBBioShu Tian is a Principal Economist at the Economic Research and Development Impact Department (ERDI) of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Her research interests include financial sector development, sustainable and climate finance, and digitalization.
Her work has been published in the Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Journal of Banking & Finance, Journal of Corporate Finance, Financial Management, Finance and Accounting. Prior to joining ADB, she was an Associate Professor of Finance at Fudan University in China.
Rolando Avendano Senior Economist, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, Asian Development BankBioRolando Avendano is a Senior Economist at the Economic Research and Development Impact Department of the Asian Development Bank. His research focuses on financial and international economics, particularly cross-border investment, financial development, regional integration, and competitiveness.
His recent work centers on FDI and geoeconomic fragmentation, trade in digital services, and regional integration and productivity. Prior to joining ADB, he held several roles at the OECD. He was Lecturer at the School of Engineering at University of Los Andes (Colombia) and research associate at University College London (UK). He holds a BSc in Industrial Engineering from the University of Los Andes and MSc and PhD degrees in Economics from the Paris School of Economics.Panel Discussion (40 minutes)
Amitendu Palit Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead (Trade and Economics), Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of SingaporeBioAmitendu Palit is Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead (Trade and Economics) at the Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore. He is also Senior Associate Fellow at Asia Centre of ISPI Milan and an expert with the Economic Security Forum, Helsinki.
Prior to joining NUS, he worked for several years in India’s Ministry of Finance. His research areas include international trade policies, geoeconomics, AI and digital trade rules, the Indo-Pacific, Global South, and India.
He is the author of several books and has consulted for the World Bank, ADB, and IDRC. He regularly appears as an expert on CNA, CNBC, BBC, ABC and Bloomberg News.
Maria Monica Wihardja Fellow, ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, SingaporeBioMaria Monica Wihardja is a Fellow and Co-Coordinator of the Media, Technology and Society Programme at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. She is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the National University of Singapore.
She serves on several editorial and advisory boards and holds affiliations with institutions including the Australian National University and the Center for Indonesian Policy Studies.
She holds a PhD in Regional Science from Cornell University, an MPhil in Economics from Cambridge University, and a BA in Applied Mathematics-Economics from Brown University.
Wakana Asano Research Associate, Takano Fellow, International Institute for Strategic Studies, IISS-AsiaBioWakana Asano is a Research Associate and inaugural Takano Fellow at IISS-Asia in Singapore. Her research focuses on science and technology policy and economic development, including AI and digital connectivity.
Prior to joining IISS, she was a Senior Consultant at IBM, leading cross-border digital transformation and strategy development projects in manufacturing, healthcare and the public sector. She has also conducted research at the Stimson Center and Georgetown University.
She holds an MS in Foreign Service from Georgetown University as a Fulbright Scholar and a BA in American Studies from the University of Tsukuba.Q&A (15 minutes)- 12:00 – 13:00
Lunch Break
Policy Learning Session: Aligning Investors and Policymakers for Resilient, Sustainable Supply Chains
- 13:00 – 14:15
This session moves through two parts—from the investor’s perspective to the government’s. Part 1 examines what drives firms to establish, expand, or retain strategic investment in Asia. Part 2 explores how governments can offer investment predictability while preserving space for sustainable development.
Part 1: Corporate strategies in a fragmenting world: How firms are reconfiguring investment and supply chainsModerator:
Phongpob Ben Methakullawat Capacity Building Specialist, ADBIBioPhongpob Ben Methakullawat is an economist with a diplomatic background and extensive experience in regional integration, trade, investment, and development cooperation.
He began his career as a diplomat with Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and later served as an economist at the ASEAN Secretariat, working on regional economic integration initiatives. He also served as National Project Coordinator for the International Trade Centre and held a leadership role at the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), where he coordinated partnerships with UN agencies and South-South cooperation initiatives.
He holds a PhD and master’s degrees in Economics from the Australian National University and an honours degree from the University of Melbourne.Panel discussion
Selena Ling Chief Economist and Head of Global Markets Research and Strategy, OCBC BankBioSelena Ling is Chief Economist and Head of Global Markets Research and Strategy at OCBC Bank, where she leads research on macroeconomic developments and financial markets, including fixed income, interest rates, foreign exchange, and corporate credit.
She is a member of the OCBC Wealth Panel for Singapore and Malaysia and a council member of the Economic Society of Singapore. In 2017, she received the Institute of Banking & Finance Fellow Award in Financial Markets.
Prior to joining OCBC, she worked with Singapore’s Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Trade and Industry. She holds degrees from the London School of Economics and the National University of Singapore.
Marcus Ng Head of APAC and Economics Strategy, Access PartnershipBio PresentationMarcus Ng serves on the global Management Board of Access Partnership, leads the firm in Asia-Pacific, and is Global Head of Economics Strategy.
He has 20 years of experience in economics and public policy, including senior roles at Deloitte, the Australian Treasury, and the Reserve Bank of Australia.
His work focuses on technology and AI, international trade and trade facilitation, supply chain resilience, regulatory reform, and the digitalisation of trade, including research for APEC and ASEAN.
Elizabeth Chelliah Principal Trade Consultant, Singapore Business FederationBioElizabeth Chelliah, a lawyer by profession, recently retired as Principal Trade Specialist at Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Over her 30 years in the Singapore Civil Service, she covered a wide range of portfolios including WTO dispute settlement, APEC, free trade agreement negotiations, and regional economic integration.
She has served as Singapore’s Chief Negotiator for the Singapore-Peru FTA and chaired the RCEP Intellectual Property Working Group. She is currently Principal Trade Consultant with the Singapore Business Federation and an Adjunct Senior Fellow at RSIS.- 14:15 – 14:30
Coffee Break- 14:30 – 16:00
Part 2: Making strategic investment work: sustainability, policy predictability and public-private risk sharingPanel discussion
Neil Foster-McGregor Principal Economist, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, Asian Development BankBioNeil Foster-McGregor has broad research interests and has worked and published widely on topics including global value chains; preferential trade agreements; structural transformation; innovation and knowledge transfer; trade and labor markets; and new technologies, inequality and labor market outcomes.
Prior to joining ADB, he worked at the United Nations University – Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (UNU-MERIT) initially as a Research Fellow (2014-2016) and later as Deputy Director and Professor of Globalization and Innovation (2016-2023).
Masni binti Muhammad Senior Executive Director, Malaysian Investment Development Authority, MalaysiaBio PresentationMasni Muhammad is the Senior Executive Director of Investment Policy Advocacy at the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA). She is a central figure in shaping Malaysia’s industrial landscape and investment framework.
She leads the division responsible for the planning, formulation, and review of national investment policies. Her work is particularly focused on policy intervention and structural reforms designed to keep Malaysia competitive in a shifting global economy. She is actively involved in navigating complex investment-related tax challenges, including the implementation of the Global Minimum Tax (GMT) and the development of the New Investment Incentive Framework.
She held leadership roles across diverse sectors, including petrochemicals, advanced materials, and oil & gas. She provides deep insights into how policy decisions directly influence investor confidence and national economic development. She obtained a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (Hons) from University Malaya.
Maria Corazon Halili-Dichosa Executive Director, Board of Investments, PhilippinesBio PresentationCorazon Halili-Dichosa is Executive Director of the Industry Development Services at the Board of Investments (BOI), overseeing infrastructure and services, resource-based and manufacturing industries, as well as investment policy and planning.
Her work spans industry development, international marketing, treaty negotiations, investment policies and programs, and environmental policy. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Chemical Engineering from Mapúa Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Laws from Adamson University, with further training in regional marketing of Carl Duisberg Gesellschaft and strategic business economics from the University of Asia and the Pacific.
Bounthanom Mekdala Deputy Director, Investment Promotion and Management Committee Office, Lao PDRBioBounthanom Mekdala is Deputy Director of the Investment Cooperation Division at the Investment Promotion and Management Committee Office of Lao PDR.
Previously, at the Ministry of Planning and Investment, he supported the mobilization of Official Development Assistance for key development sectors. He also served at the Lao Embassy in Japan, where he promoted investment opportunities in Lao PDR.
In his current role, he works to strengthen investment cooperation and engage foreign investors across various sectors.
Carlos López-Gómez Head of Policy, IfM Engage, University of CambridgeBio PresentationCarlos López-Gómez is Head of Policy, IfM Engage, University of Cambridge, where he leads work on industrial and innovation policy. His team advises governments, international organisations and development banks on technology, innovation and competitiveness.
He began his career in automotive and industrial automation engineering and has international experience, including a secondment to the Japan Science and Technology Agency. He holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge and is a Fellow of Churchill College.Wrap-up for capacity building
Phongpob Ben Methakullawat Capacity Building Specialist, ADBIBioPhongpob Ben Methakullawat is an economist with a diplomatic background and extensive experience in regional integration, trade, investment, and development cooperation.
He began his career as a diplomat with Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and later served as an economist at the ASEAN Secretariat, working on regional economic integration initiatives. He also served as National Project Coordinator for the International Trade Centre and held a leadership role at the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), where he coordinated partnerships with UN agencies and South-South cooperation initiatives.
He holds a PhD and master’s degrees in Economics from the Australian National University and an honours degree from the University of Melbourne.
Closing Session
- 16:00 – 16:30
- Closing speakers
Sanchita Basu Das Economist, Regional Cooperation and Integration Division, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, ADBBio
Sanchita Basu Das is Senior Economist in the Regional Cooperation and Integration Division of ADB’s Economic Research and Development Impact Department, where she contributes to flagship publications, analytical studies, and policy forums including G20, ASEAN, and ASEAN+3.
Her research focuses on regional cooperation and integration, including trade, logistics, economic corridors, tourism, and the digital economy. Before joining ADB in 2018, she was Lead Researcher for Economic Affairs at the ASEAN Studies Centre of the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. She holds a PhD in International Political Economy from Nanyang Technological University and master’s degrees from the University of Delhi and the National University of Singapore.
Amitendu Palit Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead (Trade and Economics), Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of SingaporeBioAmitendu Palit is Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead (Trade and Economics) at the Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore. He is also Senior Associate Fellow at Asia Centre of ISPI Milan and an expert with the Economic Security Forum, Helsinki.
Prior to joining NUS, he worked for several years in India’s Ministry of Finance. His research areas include international trade policies, geoeconomics, AI and digital trade rules, the Indo-Pacific, Global South, and India.
He is the author of several books and has consulted for the World Bank, ADB, and IDRC. He regularly appears as an expert on CNA, CNBC, BBC, ABC and Bloomberg News.
Event photos:
-
ASIA REGIONAL INTEGRATION CENTER© 2015 Asian Development Bank. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.About usThe Asia Regional Integration Center (ARIC) is an ongoing technical assistance project of the Economic Research and Development Impact Department (ERDI) . Following the 1997/98 Asian financial crisis and the contagion evident around the region, ADB was asked to use its knowledge-based expertise to help monitor the recovery and report objectively on potential vulnerabilities and policy solutions. With the ASEAN+3 process just starting, ADB provided technical assistance beginning in 1999—to create the Asia Recovery Information Center, the precursor to ARIC.Contact usPlease help us improve the ARIC website by sending us your comments. These may be on content, (e.g., articles posted on or for which links are provided in the ARIC website), website structure (e.g., do you find ARIC's sections useful?), ease of navigation, or even page design and layout.
Send all your comments to: aric_info[at]adb.orgQuick links
Other ADB sites:
ADB Regional Cooperation and Integration | Asian Bonds Online | Asian Development Bank Institute | RTA Exchange
