Jong 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.

Sanchita 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.

Nora 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.

Sanchita 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.