Conference on Trade in Services for Development in Asia and the Pacific
The role of services in global trade and global value chains (GVCs) has expanded rapidly over the past two decades. Commercial services have been the most dynamic segment of global trade, expanding at a faster pace than merchandise trade as a result of digitalization, the falling cost of communications, and the expansion of regional and international production networks. In value-added terms, services account for over 50% of world trade, highlighting their increasing importance as critical inputs for other economic sectors.
Asia and the Pacific have been at the forefront of this trend, with the region's commercial services exports expanding faster than the global average, and now accounting for nearly 25% of world commercial services exports. While services bring significant opportunities, many economies in Asia are still to tap the full development potential associated with services trade, including its contribution to diversification, digital connectivity, inclusiveness, and MSME internationalization. The Trade in Services for Development (TS4D) Initiative, launched in September 2024 by the World Trade Organization and the World Bank, offers a platform for knowledge, technical assistance and capacity building to help economies better leverage trade in services for development.
Building on the inaugural conference held in Geneva in December 2025, this regional conference aims to bring the TS4D initiative to the Asia Pacific region. It will provide a space to discuss the role of services trade in inclusive development, exchange views on the use of the analytical tools developed under the TS4D initiative and engage in discussions with selected Asian economies on their strategies for the modernization of the services sector.
The conference will bring together government officials, representatives of international organizations, the private sector, and other stakeholders to share knowledge on advances and emerging best practices in the area of services trade. The objective is threefold:
To explore recent developments in services trade in Asia and the Pacific;
To share best country practices and policy approaches for supporting services trade in the region; and
To support policies that can help shape an enabling environment for services trade in Asia.
Event details:
Date/Venue:
09:00AM (GMT+8, Manila) 28–29 September 2026 ADB Headquarters, Manila, Philippines
Contacts:
Rolando Avendano Senior Economist, Economic Research and Development Impact Department (ERDI)
Email: ravendano@adb.org
Paulo Rodelio Halili Principal Economics Officer, ERDI
Email: phalili@adb.org
Amiel Bryan Esperanza Operations Assistant, ERDI
Email: aesperanza@adb.org
Jack MadridChief Executive Officer,
IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines
10:00 – 10:05
Photo Session
10:05 – 10:20
Coffee Break
Session II. Building Competitive Services Sectors
10:20 – 11:30
Presentation
Martin RoyCounsellor,
Trade in Services and Investment Division, World Trade Organization
Panel Discussion
Hanna BucherSenior Public Sector Specialist (Trade and Industry),
Public Sector Management and Governance, Sectors Department 3, Asian Development Bank
Jiali GongDeputy Director,
Ministry of Commerce, People's Republic of China
Tan Tai HiongHead,
Services and Investment Division, ASEAN Secretariat
Jan Redmond Dela VegaChief Trade-Industry Development Specialist,
Bureau of International Trade Relations, Department of Trade and Industry
Session III. Trade Restrictions in Services Trade: Scenarios for Asia and the Pacific
11:30 – 12:30
Moderator:
Katariina Nilsson HakkalaSenior Economist,
Economic Research and Development Impact Department, Asian Development Bank
Presentation
Joscelyn MagdeleineEconomist,
Trade in Services and Investment Division, World Trade Organization
Jose SignoretSenior Economist,
World Bank
Panel Discussion
Lourenca Locatelli Pompeia MarquesSenior Official for Industrial Development,
Government of Timor-Leste
Humbet MansirliHead of Sector,
Trade and Foreign Investment Policy Department, Government of Azerbaijan
Zulfia KarimovaPrincipal Regional Cooperation Specialist,
Regional Cooperation and Integration Unit, Central and West Asia Department, Asian Development Bank
Q&A
12:30 – 14:00
Lunch Break
Session IV. Best Practices in the Export Promotion of Services in Asia and the Pacific
14:00 – 15:15
Moderator:
Martin RoyCounsellor,
Trade in Services and Investment Division, World Trade Organization
Presentation
Woanuk JooDirector General for Policy Coordination,
Government of Korea
Panel Discussion
Andrew Kam JiaProfessor of International Trade,
National University of Malaysia
Gloria PasadillaConsultant,
Asian Development Bank
Sumanta ChaudhuriRepresentative,
Confederation of Indian Industry
Q&A
15:15 – 15:30
Coffee Break
Session V. Good Regulatory Practices in Asia and the Pacific
15:30 – 16:45
Presentation
Markus JelittoCounsellor,
Trade in Services and Investment Division, World Trade Organization
Panel Discussion
Jaime Coghi AriasDeputy Permanent Representative,
Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to the WTO
Kong SokhengDirector,
Ministry of Commerce, Cambodia
Aminur RahmanAdvisor,
Economic Research and Development Impact Department, Asian Development Bank
16:45 – 17:00
Wrap-up
29 September 2026 (Tuesday)
Session VI. Unlocking Digital Services as an Engine for Growth in Asia and the Pacific
09:00 – 10:15
Moderator:
Antonio G. ZaballosDirector,
Digital Sector Office, Sectors Department 2, Asian Development Bank
Presentation
Javier Lopez-GonzalezHead of Digital Trade Unit,
Digital Trade Unit, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Panel Discussion
Karina TurekhanovaChief Expert,
Foreign Trade Department, Government of Kazakhstan
Kazushi UzawaDeputy Director for Digital Trade Rules,
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (Japan)
Raymond DavadassChairman,
Digital Global Business Services Council, Malaysia
Rolando AvendanoSenior Economist,
Regional Cooperation and Integration Division, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, Asian Development Bank
Q&A
10:15 – 10:30
Coffee Break
Session VII. Tapping the Potential of MSMEs for Services Trade and Inclusiveness
10:30 – 11:30
Moderator:
Steven BeckDirector,
Trade and Supply Chain Division, Private Sector Operations Department, Asian Development Bank
Panel Discussion
Muhammad AshrafExecutive Director General,
Ministry of Commerce, Pakistan
Chanthachone VongsayRepresentative,
Lao Business Women's Association
Akhror KholmurzaevHead of Division,
Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade, Uzbekistan
Shigehiro ShinozakiSenior Economist,
Regional Cooperation and Integration Division, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, Asian Development Bank
Session VIII. Regional Initiatives for Services Trade
11:30 – 12:30
Moderator:
Julian ClarkeSenior Regional Cooperation Specialist,
Regional Cooperation and Integration and Trade Division, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, Asian Development Bank
12:30 – 12:40
Wrap-Up and Closing
World Bank
WTO
ADB
Disclaimer:
The views expressed on this website are those of the authors and presenters and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) or its Board of Governors or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data in any documents and materials posted in this website and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. By making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area, or by using the term “country” in any documents posted in this website, ADB does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.
This regional conference will be followed by a regional course on Trade in Services for Development for selected economies from Asia and the Pacific on 29 September to 1 October 2026.
