Asia Regional Integration Center

Speaking at a seminar in ADB, Indonesia's Minister of Trade Mari Elka Pangestu emphasized multilateral approaches to enhance trade in Asia and the Pacific. Underlining the significance of ADB's role, the Minister suggested building a network of international economic policy experts and scholars in Asia to promote trade. ADB's Managing Director General Rajat M. Nag, who delivered the welcome remarks, affirmed the importance of such a network given the enormous challenges affecting trade in the region.  Iwan J. Azis, head of ADB's Office of Regional Economic Integration, gave the closing remarks. Download original speech. See video clip.  Listen to full audio.

S. Hamanaka discusses two possible approaches in achieving a region-wide free trade agreement, that of consolidation and expansion. He also proposes four issues for consideration by Trans-Pacific Partnership members for the agreement to evolve into a true region-wide FTA. Visit AIEN's Trade Spotlight blog and read full story. | View other blogs on AIEN Trade Spotlight

On 17 July, 10:30am-12:00pm (Manila time) at the ERD Conference Room, Professor Ralph Christy of Cornell University will discuss small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as a driver of economic development and present alternative business development policies for small firms in emerging economies. Register with Liza Cruz.

Jason Ekberg and Yen Chu Cheng will share Oliver Wyman's experience in stress testing and will provide an overview of key industry needs, best practices, and common challenges. Confirm attendance with Josephine Valle-Sison.

Experts will talk about online disclosure system in the Republic of Korea and developing stock market infrastructure in emerging economies. The speakers are Jaehoon Yoo of the Financial Services Commission, Steve Kim and Jinmo Gu of Korea Exchange, Jeongdoo Lee of Financial Supervisory Service, and Seung Min Lee of ADB.

More than 100 staff, visitors, and online viewers attended the seminar where VP Lohani launched the new ARIC website. ADBI Dean Kawai spoke about the role of ADB as a key RCI promoter and RD representatives discussed the importance of RCI knowledge in promoting integration in Asia. The exhibit features over 150 books published by ADB since 1992. Read more

Ronald McKinnon, Emeritus Professor of Economics at Stanford University, will talk about the role of the People's Republic of China's dollar exchange rate, its evolution and sustainability as a worldwide economic stabilizer, and policy solutions to the PRC-US imbalances. View livestream here.

Free trade agreements (FTAs) continue to grow rapidly in Asia and the Pacific. From just 53 in 2000, there are 250 FTAs in different stages of development as of September 2012. Of these FTAs, 103 are being implemented while the rest are either proposed, under negotiation, or signed. FTAs draw economies closer together and allow supply chains and production networks to fluorish. Read FTA notes and track FTA trends here.