RCI-POD
WEBINAR 39
3:00–4:00 (Manila time, GMT+8) (Manila) Platform: Microsoft Teams Meeting
Shaping the Future of Services Trade in Asia: Insights from the RCEP Commitments Database and the Way Forward
Trade in services has been on a steady increase over the past decade. However, trade liberalization in services has been lagging compared to trade in goods. A persistent challenge in the liberalization of trade in services has been methodological challenges in measuring services output and the process of liberalizing them. The RCEP Services Commitment Database provides an in-depth, quantifiable analysis of the liberalization measures under the RCEP agreement, across all four modes of supply, highlighting national treatment and market access. It builds on earlier work by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and provides a baseline for comparison with the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), enabling policy-makers, researchers, and stakeholders to assess the progress and impact of RCEP on regional economic integration. The webinar aims to share the findings from the database and facilitate discussion on the measurement and liberalization of services trade.
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Agenda (PDF)
Previous Episode:
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FDI Facilitation and Aftercare Services in the Republic of Korea—Lessons for Asia and the Pacific
27 Nov 2024 2:00–3:30 (Manila time, GMT+8)
(Manila)
- Introduction:
- Presentation: Insights from the RCEP Commitments Database and the Way Forward
Sajid Ghani Consultant, Asian Development BankBioSajid Ghani is a Consultant at the Economic Research and Development Impact Department of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), specializing in international trade and labour economics. With a broad portfolio of research and practical experience, he focuses on the impact of trade policies on labour markets. Prior to working with the ADB, he worked as an Economist at the International Labour Organization (ILO), where he worked on the development of a database of trade and labour market indicators, and conducted research on the labour market impacts of trade. He also worked as a Trade Development Officer for the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the WTO, where he gained practical experience related to trade negotiations. He holds a PhD in International Economics from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID) and a BA in Economics from Yale University.
Panel Discussion: Insights from the RCEP Commitments Database and the Way ForwardModerator
Pramila Crivelli Economist, Regional Cooperation and Integration Division, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, Asian Development BankBioPramila Crivelli is an economist at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), within the Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department.
She brings over 15 years of experience combining empirical academic research and hands-on work in international trade policy analysis and formulation across Africa and Asia.
Her fields of specialization cover regional trade agreements (including negotiations, implementation, and impact), tariffs, rules of origin, services trade, and trade facilitation.
At ADB, she is leading initiatives to enhance the effectiveness of trade agreements, strengthen Aid for Trade, and promote digital regulatory cooperation.
Before joining ADB in November 2020, Pramila was an Assistant Professor leading the Chair of International Trade at Goethe University Frankfurt. Her research has been published in leading peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of International Economics, The World Economy, and the World Trade Review.
She earned her PhD in Economics from the University of Geneva, Switzerland. She previously served as an Economic Affairs Officer at the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD), held research positions at the European University Institute (EUI) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), and conducted consultancy assignments across Asia and Africa. She has extensive experience delivering advisory services and capacity-building programs to governments, institutions, and trade negotiators in multilateral and regional economic forums, as well as to the private sector.
Panelists:
Dionisius A. Narjoko Senior Economist, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East AsiaBioDionisius A. Narjoko received his PhD in Economics from the Australian National University. His dissertation was awarded The Ann Bates Postgraduate Prize for Indonesian Studies 2006. His research covers industrialization in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, economic integration in ASEAN and East Asia (focusing on ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint and regional economy architecture), and topics in economic development, such as small and medium enterprise, and interrelationship between human capital and economic growth.
As part of his role in ERIA, Dr. Narjoko provides evidence-based policy recommendations to a number of ASEAN Member States on topics related to AEC or regional integration in general. Dr. Narjoko is also active in ‘second-track’ policy discussions for various topics, extending the link from his previous affiliation with the Jakarta-based think-tank Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Dr. Narjoko also once taught at the Faculty of Economics, University of Indonesia. He co-authored and co-edited books and published book chapters, policy papers, and articles in peer-reviewed journals in the past ten years. He also serves as Associate Editor of Asian Economic Journal and Jurnal Ekonomi Pembangunan Indonesia.
Sumanta Chaudhuri Retired civil servant; Principal Advisor, International Trade Policy Division, Confederation of Indian IndustryBioMr. Sumanta Chaudhuri is a retired Civil servant from India, with two decades of experience on international trade issues. He was Joint Secretary as well as Director in the Department of Commerce of India, and handled Trade Policy Division dealing with WTO issues and Regional and Bilateral trade engagements including the negotiations on the RCEP. He was also the Deputy Chief Negotiator for the India-EU as well as India-EFTA Broad based Trade and Investment Agreement negotiations. He also handled trade relations with South-East Asia and he was India’s Chief Negotiator for the various bilateral and regional agreements in this region, including the India-Malaysia CECA and the India-ASEAN Agreements. He has served as Counselor, Permanent Mission of India to the WTO and was India’s main negotiator on Services in the Doha Round.
Mr. Chaudhuri has been a resource person in many international forums including WTO, UNCTAD, World Bank, ESCAP, and International Organization for Migration. He has also published articles on trade, particularly on Services issues and FTAs. He is currently the Principal Adviser for International Trade Policy in the Confederation of Indian Industry, the country's apex industry chamber.
Martin Roy Counsellor, World Trade OrganizationBioMartin Roy is Counsellor in the Trade in Services and Investment Division of the World Trade Organization. With the WTO since 2002, he has been involved in various functions relating to negotiations, technical assistance, dispute settlement, and policy research. Between 2014 and 2016, he was senior advisor at the Office of the Chief Trade Advisor for Pacific Island Countries where he advised the 14 developing countries of the region in their trade negotiations with Australia and New Zealand. Dr. Roy has published widely on such topics as trade in services, foreign investment, and regional economic integration. He also co-edited the Research Handbook on Trade in Services, published by Edward Elgar (2016), and Opening Markets for Trade in Services; Countries and Sectors in Bilateral and WTO Negotiations, published by Cambridge University Press (2008). Dr. Roy has taught at the College of Europe in Bruges, the University of Barcelona and the World Trade Institute in Bern. He holds a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies.
Q&A