RCI-POD
WEBINAR 32
10:00–11:30 (Manila time, GMT+8) (Manila) Platform: Microsoft Teams Meeting
Integrated Approach to Trade and Transportation Facilitation
Based on the ADB report, Integrated Approach to Trade and Transport Facilitation, that looked into regional policy documents to identify gaps in discussion of trade and transport facilitation and presented a diagnostic framework for trade readiness at national and sub-national levels, the 32nd edition of the RCI-POD webinar presented its findings, diagnostic framework, and policy recommendations. The webinar also brought together a panel of experts that further shed light on adopting a comprehensive approach to trade and transport facilitation that is technology-driven, and helps provide a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive development outcome.
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Previous Episode:
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Driving Inclusive Digitalization in Trade and Trade Finance
15 Dec 2022 3:00–4:20
(Manila) Next Episode:
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Overcoming RCEP Implementation and Negotiating Challenges
27 Nov 2023 3:00–4:30 (Manila time, GMT+8)
(Manila)
- Opening Remarks:
Jong Woo Kang Director of Regional Cooperation and Integration Division, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, Asian Development BankBioJong Woo Kang is a director at the Economic Research and Development Impact Department of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). He is a seasoned economist with extensive knowledge and experiences on policy and strategic issues. He was senior advisor to the managing director general of ADB and senior economist at Strategy and Policy Department at ADB. He leads the annual publication of the Asian Economic Integration Report. Areas of his research interest include regional integration, inclusive growth, macroeconomic and international trade policies, and aid effectiveness. He has published research articles in academic journals such as Journal of Development Economics, Journal of Applied Economics, and Journal of World Trade, and wrote numerous blogs and opinion articles on global macroeconomy and international trade and finance.
Before joining ADB, he was director at Ministry of Finance and Economy of the Republic of Korea. He had got his BA in economics and MA in public administration from Seoul National University, and PhD in economics from University of Washington.Presentation: Introduction, Identified Gaps, and Key Messages
Sanchita Basu Das Economist, Regional Cooperation and Integration Division, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, Asian Development BankBioSanchita Basu Das is an economist at the Regional Cooperation and Integration Division of the Economic Research and Development Impact Department of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). She contributes to the division’s flagship publication, namely the Asian Economic Integration Report, and other knowledge products. She also supports the ASEAN regional forum. Her core research interests include regional cooperation and initiatives related to them, such as trade, logistics, industrial corridors, tourism, digital economy, institutions, and others. Sanchita joined ADB in November 2018 and served as an economist in the South Asia Department, processing loans/grants, implementing technical assistance projects, and leading operationally relevant analytical studies.
Prior to joining ADB, Sanchita was the lead researcher for economic affairs at the ASEAN Studies Centre of ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore. She was concurrently a fellow of the Regional Economic Studies Program, coordinator of Singapore APEC Studies Centre and a co-editor of Journal of Southeast Asian Economies (JSEAE), all housed under the same institute. Sanchita has published in international journals including the Singapore Economic Review, Journal of World Trade and Asia Pacific Economic Literature, authored/edited books and book chapters, and wrote for media. Sanchita earned her PhD in international political economy from Nanyang Technology University, Singapore, and her masters in economics and business management from the University of Delhi and the National University of Singapore, respectively.Presentation: Gaps in Policy Documents and Diagnostics Framework
Shubham Gupta Partner, Business Operations: Economic Development and Urban Transformation, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP (Virtual)BioShubham Gupta is a Partner with Deloitte India’s Business Operations practice, with more than 20 years of professional experience in the areas of Strategy formulation, Policy and Regulatory, Trade Facilitation, Institutional Strengthening, Organizational Transformation, Program / Project Management, Ease of Doing Business, Single Window System, Service Delivery & Operations Improvement. He has extensive experience in working with central and state governments and their agencies, public sector organizations; international development agencies like the World Bank Group, Asian Development Bank, UK Department for International Development, United Nations agencies, GIZ; where his focus has been on thematic areas of economic development, investment promotion, trade facilitation, ease of doing business, urban reforms and development, and public sector enterprises reforms. He has worked in the USA, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Bhutan.
Shubham has earned his Master’s in Business Administration and Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta; and Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur respectively.
Nishant Jain Director, Business Operations: Economic Development and Urban Transformation, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLPBioNishant Jain is a Director with Deloitte’s Business Operations practice with more than 12 years of experience working at the intersection of government and private sectors for economic transformation projects in South Asia, Middle East, and Africa. He has also supported multilateral development institutions like ADB and IFC in large economic transformation projects. Some of the thematic areas he has worked across are trade facilitation, economic/industrial corridor based large area development plan, free zones (development, growth, and impact), value chain competitiveness, socioeconomic impact assessment, industrial strategy, policy and regulatory development, location advisory, project finance, and investment promotion.
Nishant has earned an Integrated Dual degree with Bachelors of Technology and Master’s in Business Administration from Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur.Panel Discussion:
Nora Dihel Senior Economist, Macroeconomics, Trade and Investment World Bank (Virtual)BioNora Dihel is a highly experienced economist, author, and thought leader. Currently a Senior Economist at the World Bank, she’s worked on trade issues in Eastern and Southern Africa as part of the Trade and Competitiveness Global Practice and is presently focusing on trade facilitation and regional integration in Asia. Prior to joining the World Bank, Nora worked in the Chief Economist Unit of the Directorate General for Trade of the European Commission and the OECD Trade Directorate. With a Doctorate in International Economics from the Helmut-Schmidt University, Nora has published on the economic impact of services reforms, regional integration and South-South linkages.
Having lived and worked in four continents, Nora is a strong believer in the importance and value of an on-the-ground perspective. Known for employing a range of innovative methodologies from academia and beyond, her work interprets the story and meaning behind the numbers, delivering strategic value for businesses, governments, and the people who call a country home.
Azhar Jaimurzina Chief, Transport Connectivity and Logistics Section, Transport Division UNESCAP (Virtual)BioAzhar Jaimurzina Ducrest is Chief of the Transport Connectivity and Logistics Section of the Transport Division of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP). The Section supports member states in further developing the regional transport infrastructure network in Asia and the Pacific and improve its operational efficiency through common regional frameworks, harmonized technical and operational standards, application of new technologies and innovations in logistics.
Previously, Azhar has worked as Chief of the Infrastructure Services Unit of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNECLAC) and as Economic Affairs Officer in the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).
Azhar holds a Master’s degree in international law from Université Libre de Bruxelles and a Master’s Degree in International Relations from University of Chicago.
Kijin Kim Senior Economist, Regional Cooperation and Integration Division, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, Asian Development BankBioKijin Kim is Senior Economist at the Economic Research and Development Impact Department of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Since he joined ADB in 2017, he has been working on trade, trade facilitation, and trade finance within the context of regional cooperation and integration. He contributed to ADB’s publications on these areas including the Asian Economic Integration Report; Trade Finance Gaps, Growth, and Jobs Survey; and Asia-Pacific Trade Facilitation Report.
Before joining the ADB, he was a research fellow of the Regional Economics Applications Laboratory at the University of Illinois since 2012. From 2004 to 2010, he worked as Economist at the Bank of Korea. He earned his PhD in Economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2016, focusing on research within the fields of regional economics and applied econometrics, centered on the role of labor markets, the effects of heterogeneity in consumption spending, and labor market participation on regional economies.
Kanya Sasradipoera Principal Regional Cooperation Specialist, Regional Cooperation and Integration Unit, South Asia Department, Asian Development Bank (Virtual)BioKanya Satyani Sasradipoera is Principal Regional Cooperation Specialist at the South Asia Department of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). She joined ADB in 2009 as Regional Cooperation Specialist at the Central Asia Regional Cooperation and subsequently transferred to Southeast Asia Department of ADB in 2011 as the focal point of ADB’s cooperation with ASEAN, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), and Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT). In 2013, she was assigned to be the focal for ADB’s support in trade and transport facilitation programs in Southeast Asia Region until June 2023.
Prior to joining ADB, Kanya served at the ASEAN Secretariat as Senior Officer for Trade in Goods Unit of the Trade and Trade Facilitation Division of the Bureau for Economic Integration, until she left for ADB in 2009. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Indonesia and Master’s in Public Policy from the National University of Singapore.
Shandre Thangavelu Head, Jeffrey Cheah Institute for Southeast Asia (Virtual)BioShandre M. Thangavelu is currently the Head (President) of Jeffrey Cheah Institute for Southeast Asia and Senior Fellow at Jeffrey Sachs Centre for Sustainable Development at Sunway University, Malaysia. He also holds a joint appointment at the Institute of International Trade, University of Adelaide, Australia. Currently, Professor Shandre Thangavelu is also the Trade Advisor to Ministry of Commerce, Kingdom of Cambodia since 2021.
Previously, Professor Shandre Thangavelu was appointed as the Head of Research at Ministry of Manpower under the Economist Service at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Singapore from 2001 to 2009. He was also appointed into the Governing Board for the Work, Safety, Health Institute (WSHI) of Singapore. He is also a member of the Competition Commission Appeal Board in Singapore. Professor Shandre Thangavelu was the Managing Editor for Asian Economic Journal (AEJ) in 2009 and currently appointed as the Editor in 2018. He was also appointed as Fellow of Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) in 2017.
Professor Shandre Thangavelu is an active researcher on human capital development, technology transfer, foreign direct investment, trade, government infrastructure investment, productivity and economic growth. He has written extensively on ASEAN integration, FDI, human capital development, technology transfer, and economic growth, and has published his research in major international journals. He has written several books on trade, investment, integration, and outsourcing in Asia. He has also worked on several international projects commissioned by UNDP, the World Bank, ASEAN Secretariat, APEC, and Asian Productivity Organization. Currently, he is working on human capital dynamics and FDI activities in Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Viet Nam, and Indonesia. Professor Shandre Thangavelu obtained his graduate degrees from Queen’s University, Canada.Q&AHost:
Sanchita Basu Das Economist, Regional Cooperation and Integration Division, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, Asian Development BankBioSanchita Basu Das is an economist at the Regional Cooperation and Integration Division of the Economic Research and Development Impact Department of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). She contributes to the division’s flagship publication, namely the Asian Economic Integration Report, and other knowledge products. She also supports the ASEAN regional forum. Her core research interests include regional cooperation and initiatives related to them, such as trade, logistics, industrial corridors, tourism, digital economy, institutions, and others. Sanchita joined ADB in November 2018 and served as an economist in the South Asia Department, processing loans/grants, implementing technical assistance projects, and leading operationally relevant analytical studies.
Prior to joining ADB, Sanchita was the lead researcher for economic affairs at the ASEAN Studies Centre of ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore. She was concurrently a fellow of the Regional Economic Studies Program, coordinator of Singapore APEC Studies Centre and a co-editor of Journal of Southeast Asian Economies (JSEAE), all housed under the same institute. Sanchita has published in international journals including the Singapore Economic Review, Journal of World Trade and Asia Pacific Economic Literature, authored/edited books and book chapters, and wrote for media. Sanchita earned her PhD in international political economy from Nanyang Technology University, Singapore, and her masters in economics and business management from the University of Delhi and the National University of Singapore, respectively.