4th ERIA Academic Advisory Council (AAC) Meeting was held on 8 May 2012 at ERIA Annex Office The 4th ERIA Academic Advisory Council (AAC) Meeting was held on 8 May 2012 at ERIA Annex Office. 6 AAC members, ERIA officials, and ERIA researchers attended the meeting.   It was chaired by Dr. Hank Lim Giok Hay, Chairperson of AAC (Senior Research Fellow of Singapore Institute of International Affairs). Prof. Hidetoshi Nishimura, Executive Director of ERIA, delivered opening remarks highlighting that ERIA’s past successful years of hard work and some meritorious achievements was appreciated by national leaders at the ASEAN and East Asia Summit.   Mr. Daiki Kasugahara, General Manager of ERIA, presented the recent achievement of ERIA since last AAC meeting, explaining ERIA’s participation in the summit, various meetings and symposiums in the region.   Following the next item of the agenda, Prof. Fukunari Kimura, Chief Economist of ERIA, gave an explanation on ERIA’s research activities in the year 2011-2012 and its working program in FY2012. During the meeting, Dr. Ponciano S. Intal Jr., Senior Researcher of ERIA, briefed on the AEC Blueprint Mid-Term Review as one of the ERIA’s flagship projects. It will be reported at next ASEAN Senior Economic Officials Meeting on 14 May 2012.   The AAC members reviewed the results of ERIA's studies in the year 2011-2012 and its achievements so far, set the direction to ERIA’s future activities, and explored how we can more effectively cooperation on ERIA’s work in FY2012. The meeting filled with exchange of some very important ideas on ERIA’s activities.   It was concluded by Prof. Nishimura, saying ERIA will benefit immensely in 2012 Cambodian ASEAN Chairmanship and accelerate its efforts in making valuable policy recommendations towards the establishment of ASEAN Community by 2015 in cooperation with the relevant institutions in the region.     Taking today’s discussion into consideration, ERIA will improve its working program in FY2012 and prepare for the submission to the 5th Governing Board meeting which will be held on June 23rd.

ERIA and IDE-JETRO organized FTA Symposium on “Toward Economic Integration in ASEAN and East Asia” on 27 April 2012 in Tokyo, Japan as a part of ASEAN Roadshow As a part of ASEAN Roadshow, ERIA and Institute of Developing Economies, JETRO (IDE-JETRO) organized FTA Symposium on “Toward Economic Integration in ASEAN and East Asia” on 27 April 2012 in Tokyo, Japan. Around 250 participants including ASEAN Economic Ministers, government officials, and experts attended the Symposium.   Mr. Hidetoshi Nishimura, Executive Director of ERIA, mentioned that ASEAN is regarded as the driving force of FTA formation in the region and stressed the importance of FTA/EPA covering a wide area of cooperation and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) for further economic integration and further development of production networks in his opening speech.   In the Symposium, Dr. Lim Hong Hin, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN made a keynote speech on “Overview and Status of ASEAN Regional Economic Integration”. Dr. Ganeshan Wignaraja, Director, Research Department of ADBI, Prof. Fukunari Kimura, Chief Economist of ERIA, and Mr. Masao Suematsu, COO of DENSO International Asia co., Ltd. made a presentation.   After that, the Discussion/Q&A session was conducted. It was moderated by Dr. Takashi Shiraishi, President of IDE-JETRO and ASEAN Economic Ministers participated in the session. In conclusion, Mr. Boonsong Teriyapirom, Minister of Commerce of Thailand made a closing speech.   The Symposium enhanced the knowledge of Japanese stakeholders on ASEAN regional integration initiatives such as the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) and RCEP.

ERIA Sendai Symposium on “Towards a Disaster Resilient Economy in East Asia” was held on 26 April 2012 in Sendai, Japan in the context of the ASEAN Roadshow 1 | 2 ERIA Sendai Symposium on “Towards a Disaster Resilient Economy in East Asia” was held on 26 April 2012 in Sendai, Japan. In the context of the ASEAN Roadshow, ERIA organized this symposium in cooperation with Miyagi Prefecture, and Sendai City and with the support of Institute of Developing Economies, JETRO (IDE-JETRO). It was attended by ASEAN Economic Ministers, Mr. Yoshihiro Murai, Governor of Miyagi Prefecture, Ms. Emiko Okuyama, Mayor of Sendai City, Government officials, experts, people from private sector and economic organizations with around 200 participants.   At the symposium, Mr. Hiroshi Okuda, Governing Board Member of ERIA (Governor of JBIC) made a key note speech, Mr. Boonsong Teriyapirom, Minister of Commerce of Thailand and  Dr. Kan Zaw, Deputy Minister for National Planning and Economic Development of Myanmar, and Ms. Kazuko Koori, Parliamentary Secretary for Reconstruction of Japan made a presentation about the reconstruction process from the disasters of each country. Dr. Lim Hong Hin, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN, Prof. Fukunari Kimura, Chief Economist of ERIA, Mr. Ikumo Isono, Economist of ERIA made a presentation about Connectivity Enhancement towards Disaster Resilient Society in East Asia.   Mr. Hidetoshi Nishimura, Executive Director of ERIA made closing remarks, saying that ERIA will set up disaster management as one of the flagship projects for this year and support the establishment of disaster-resilient networks in East Asia. At the symposium,   Mr. Murai, Governor of Miyagi Prefecture, explained the proposal by reflecting on ERIA 4th Governing Board Statement in his presentation.   Before the Symposium, ERIA Reception was held on the same occasion and Dato Paduka Lim Jock Hoi, Chairman of ERIA, made an opening speech.   Photo1: ERIA Sendai Symposium Photo2: ERIA Reception

ASEAN Roadshow to Japan took place from 25 to 28 April 2012 in Sendai and Tokyo, Japan 1 | 2 | 3 The ASEAN Roadshow to Japan took place from 25 to 28 April 2012 in Sendai and Tokyo, Japan. The Roadshow was organized by the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM), the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan and the Secretary-General of ASEAN, with the support of the AEM-METI Economic and Industrial Cooperation Committee (AMEICC), the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), business organizations, government-affiliated organizations and local governments. Several events were held with the purpose of enhancing economic relations between ASEAN and Japan by both the public and private sectors, accelerating overseas operations of Japanese products and services, sharing the lessons of the reconstruction activities of the disasters in East Asia including the Great East Japan Earthquake, and promoting trade and investment in East Asia.   Outcomes of the Roadshow are as follows: 1. Conducted site visites to the Sendai and noted the remarkable progress of the recovery of Japan. 2.  Assured of the continued support of Japan in its economic integration efforts including the early launch of the negotiation for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) 3. Promoted “ASEAN” to key stakeholders in Japan at the ASEAN Investment Forum and the FTA Symposium. 4. Viewed best practice principles being employed Japan to steer the growth and encourage the development of SMEs. 5. Exchanged views of concrete cooperation projects of the ASEAN-Japan 10 year Strategic Economic Cooperation Roadmap.   Events related to ERIA are as follows: Welcome Dinner（April 25）／ERIA Lunch Reception・ERIA Sendai Symposium（April 26）／ Site Visit to SME and Model of Comprehensive Higher Professional Education System・FTA Symposium（April 27）／ ASEAN-Japan Public and Private Policy Dialogue・Closing Reception（April 28）   After the Roadshow, Joint Media Statement on the ASEAN Roadshow to Japan was issued. To reach the statement, please click the following PDF file.   <Joint Media Statement on the ASEAN Roadshow to Japan>　（Excerpt the paragraph related to ERIA）   Outcomes of the Road Show  1.The AEM expressed sympathy to the people of Sendai for the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami that occurred last year and noted the remarkable progress of the recovery of Japan, particularly in the Tohoku region, from this natural disaster. They conducted site visits to the Sendai Port and a Japanese manufacturing facility and participated in the ERIA Symposium towards a Disaster Resilient Economy in East Asia, all of which were held in Sendai. 2. Following the discussions at the ERIA Symposium, the AEM re-affirmed the importance of deepening and strengthening the resilience of the supply chain network in East Asia, recognizing the speed at which economic activities were restored after natural disasters such as the earthquake in Japan and floods in the Mekong region took place. 4. The AEM also successfully promoted “ASEAN” to key stakeholders in Japan at the ASEAN Investment Forum which included an exhibition showcasing ASEAN goods and information on investing in ASEAN Member States and the FTA Symposium towards Economic Integration in ASEAN and East Asia.     (1)Boosting Trade and Investment between ASEAN and Japan in the Eveloving Regional Architecture  (Connectivity Enhancement) -Materialize the idea of “connectivity master plan plus” with appropriate reference to the Comprehensive Asia Development Plan   based on the importance of connectivity between ASEAN and the other areas in East Asia.   (2)Strengthening Strategic Economic Relations between ASEAN and Japan towards the Future  (Support for Small and Medium Enterprises) -Promote and support the efforts of the Asia Professional Education Network (APEN) and ERIA to strengthen networks of SMEs in ASEAN and East Asia through "Only-one SME Mission" to ASEAN Member States, the establishment of the "APEN Credibility Index for SMEs" and the development of the "Comprehensive Higher Professional Education System", which will enhance technology transfer and collaboration among SMEs and enhance human resource development.   (3)Establishing a Disaster Resilient Society in East Asia -Task ERIA to further study the disaster preparedness of ASEAN’s supply chain networks, including institutional prevention mechanisms, effective development of infrastructure and overall connectivity of the region.   Photo1: ASEAN-Japan Public and Private Policy Dialogue（April 28） Photo2: Site Visit to Advanced Institute of Industrial Technology （April 27） Photo3: Welcome Dinner （April 25）         Download File         [ Joint Media Statement on the ASEAN Roadshow to Japan.pdf ]

ERIA organizes international symposia in Sendai and Tokyo during the “ASEAN Road Show” in Japan  From 25-28 April 2012, the Economic Ministers from ASEAN countries and the Secretary-General of ASEAN will visit Sendai and Tokyo, Japan, to participate in the ASEAN Road Show. During the Road Show, the Ministers will hold dialogues with politicians, bureaucrats and business leaders, participate in Symposia, tour Japanese companies and factories, and visit the sites affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. The ASEAN Road Show aims at building strategic economic partnerships between Japan and ASEAN countries in public and private sectors and enhancing and promoting trade and investment in East Asia region. In the context of these activities, the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) is organizing the following events. 1. ERIA Symposium in Sendai “Towards a Disaster Resilient Economy in East Asia”   Organizer: Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) In cooperation with: Miyagi Prefecture, Sendai City Supported by: IDE-JETRO Time/Date: 13:30-15:35, 26 April 2012 Venue: Sendai International Center, Miyagi, Japan Language: English and Japanese (with simultaneous interpretation)  2. FTAs Symposium “Toward Economic Integration in ASEAN and East Asia”   Organizer: ERIA and IDE-JETRO Time/Date: 16:45-18:30, 27 April 2012 Venue: The Prince Park Tower Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan Language: English and Japanese (with simultaneous interpretation) The Sendai Symposium will be led by the Mayor of Sendai City and followed by key note speech from Mr. Hiroshi Okuda, Governing Board Member of ERIA and Former Chairman of Keidanren. The experience and challenges of recovery from disasters that have occurred in Japan and in other Asian countries will be presented by the Governor of Miyagi prefecture and the Economic Ministers from Thailand and Myanmar. The research findings of the economic impact and establishment of production and supply chain network needed for the East Asia region will also be introduced by ERIA and discussed in the Symposium. The FTA Symposium in Tokyo will open with remarks from Prof. Hidetoshi Nishimura, Executive Director of ERIA. The movement towards establishment of ASEAN Economic Community in 2015, the overview and status of trade and investment in the region, and the prospects of ASEAN regional integration will be presented by the ASEAN Secretariat, ADBI and Denso International Asia, a Japanese company operating in Thailand. The effectiveness of FTAs, which will incorporate the research results from ERIA and IDE-JETRO will also be discussed by the Economic Ministers and panelists. Participation of media people will be by Invitation only. For any inquiries, please contact Ms. Sterry Fianny (sterry.fianny@eria.org) or Mr. Hiroshi Okasaki (hiroshi.okasaki@eria.org), Public Relations, ERIA.    To download the Press Release, please click on the following PDF file.         Download File         [ ERIA organizes international symposia in Sendai and Tokyo during the ASEAN Road Show in Japan.pdf ]

ERIA Establishes a New Unit on Energy to Enhance Energy Security in the Region  The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) announced to establish a new unit (‘Energy Unit’), which will work towards strengthening cooperation in energy sector activities, with the objective to enhance energy security in the region.    While recognizing that the global energy demand is on an upward trend reflecting the recovery of the global economy over the past year, and noting that energy demand in Asia continues to register significant increases, Energy Ministers of the East Asia Summit (EAS) agreed, at the fifth EAS Energy Minister Meeting in September 2011 in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, to enhance cooperation with increased focus on the following areas:   i)     Charting outlook for energy demand and saving potential over the medium-to-long term; ii)   Coordinating emergency response policies and measures; iii) Enhancing the use of existing fossil fuel resources in the region; iv) Improving electric power infrastructure, including nuclear power generation; and, v)   Developing clean energy and smart communities for efficient use of energy in the region.   To initiate the cooperation, EAS Energy Ministers also agreed to commence studies in these areas to be undertaken by ERIA with relevant support from Japan.  This initiative was also endorsed at the 19th ASEAN Summit and the sixth EAS in November 2011 in Bali, Indonesia.   With additional financial contribution from Japanese government, ERIA has established the East Asia Energy Fund, which will be dedicated to energy related research activities of ERIA.  ERIA will continue to be the center of excellence to provide analytical policy recommendations to Leaders and Ministers of ASEAN and EAS through its research.  ERIA will also continue to work through extended cooperation with energy related institutes and organizations (e.g. International Energy Agency, International Energy Forum) with a view to further enhance energy security of the region.      To download the Press Release, please click on the following PDF file.         Download File         [ ERIA Establishes a New Unit on Energy to Enhance Energy Security in the Region.pdf ]

Offering the Position of Economist and Energy Economist ERIA is recruiting for the following senior positions: - Economist (2 or 3 persons) and Energy Economist (1 person)     Job Duties: Under broad direction of the Governing Board, Executive Director, or other senior managerial officials, Undertake analytical and quantitative policy-oriented works and posit policy recommendations on study topics related to deepening economic integration, narrowing development gaps, and sustainable development in East Asia. Similar Duties for the Energy Economist are in the field of energy and environment Manage policy study projects undertaken by economists and consultants contracted by ERIA. Energy Economists are expected to manage projects contracted by ERIA in the field of energy and environment. Qualifications:  For Economist -       Ph. D in International Economics, Development Economics, Econometrics, Transport Economics, Political Economy of Economic Integration, or other related fields. -       5 to 10 years’ experience in the above fields or equivalent that can be proved by the record of publishing articles in professional or academic journals, edited volumes, and/or other established publications. -       Perspective of making practical policy recommendations. -       Outstanding knowledge and research experience on South East Asia, East Asia and South Asia is strongly preferred. For Energy Economist -       Ph. D or equivalent in energy economics, environmental economics, energy or environment related to political economy of economic integration, or a related field.  -       5 to 10 years’ experience in the above fields or equivalent, especially in the field of energy and environment, that can be proved by the record of publishing in professional or academic journals, edited volumes or other established publications. -       Perspective of making practical policy recommendations. -       Outstanding knowledge and research experience on South East Asia, East Asia and South Asia is strongly preferred.   Term: -       Two year fixed-term appointment, renewable by the Executive Director, depending on performance and continuation of projects.   Working Location: The positions are based at the ERIA office in Jakarta, Indonesia.   Further information including salary and benefits are at: http://www.eria.org/filedoc/Recruit_Economist_and_Energy_Economist.pdf   How to Apply Send a full resume with a one page description of study interests with their relevance to policy, and a list of publications, as well as a sample paper that best reflects the candidate’s ability to recruit@eria.org A.S.A.P.  ERIA only accepts applications submitted through this mail address. Deadline for application: 25 May 2012         Download File         [ 1379.jpg ]

Conference between Japan Section of the ASEAN-Japan Business Council and ASEAN Ambassadors in Tokyo The Japan Section of the ASEAN-Japan Business Council (its secretariat is in the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry) held the conference with ambassadors from ASEAN countries in Tokyo on 11 April 2012. Total 49 particpants (28 people from the Japanese side, 21 people from ASEAN side including 7 ambassadors) were present.   This is the second time to held this conference (first conference was held in June, 2011) . At the conference, Mr. Tadashi Okamura, Chairman of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry made a opening speech and Mr. Hor Monirath, Ambassador of Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Japan, explained about the recent activities of ASEAN for the realization of ASEAN Community. After that, Prof. Hidetoshi Nishimura, Executive Director of ERIA made a presentation entitled “ERIA’s contributions towards Establishment of the ASEAN Community by 2015”, explaining major ERIA’s works for the core of the ASEAN Community, ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), such as AEC Scorecard, Midterm Review of AEC Blueprint, SME Policy Index, Comprehensive Asia Development Plan, Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity.   The conference was concluded with exchanges of views. Japanese side explained the overview of draft of recommendation which will be submitted to the ASEAN Economic Ministers on April 27 and requested the promotion of the connectivity including ASEAN neighboring countries. In response to this, ambassadors mentioned about the real aim of ASEAN Connectivity, the efforts of enhancing competitiveness by each country, and the expectation to Japanese companies.

ERIA's Former Economist Appointed as Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Economic Community H.E. Dr. Lim Hong Hin, former ERIA economist was appointed as the new Deputy Secretary-General (DSG) for ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) for the period of 2012 to 2015 at the ASEAN Secretariat. The oath-taking ceremony was witnessed by the Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, all Deputy Secretaries-General of ASEAN, and officers of the ASEAN Secretariat.   Guided by the ASEAN Charter, Dr. Lim will support the Secretary-General by providing leadership in the implementation of the AEC Blueprint and by managing the AEC Department. He will also provide strategic advice to support ASEAN Member States’ effort to transform ASEAN into a region with free movement of goods, services, investment, skilled labour, and freer flow of capital.   Dr. Lim was appointed by the ASEAN Coordinating Council to succeed H.E. Pushpanathan S. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Lim was with the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) from 2010-2012. ERIA was established by the East Asia Summit, to provide policy analyses and recommendations to facilitate the regional integration process in East Asia and ASEAN.  The works carried out by ERIA for this purpose include the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity, the Enhancement of AEC Scorecard, and the Midterm Review of the Implementation of AEC Blueprint.   From 2002 to 2009, Dr. Lim served at the Brunei Economic Development Board, Prime Minister’s Office, where he was responsible for attracting, retaining, and adding value to foreign direct investment to diversify Brunei Darussalam’s economy to create new opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and local people.   A graduate of the University of Reading, University of Hull, University of Western Australia and The London School of Economics and Political Science, H.E. Lim specialises in business administration, cybernetics, information technology, and management.   As stated in the ASEAN Charter, the Secretary-General of ASEAN shall be assisted by four Deputy Secretaries-General, of different nationalities from the Secretary-General and shall come from four different ASEAN Member States. Two DSGs are nominated by Member States on a rotational basis for a non-renewable term of three years while two DSGs are openly-recruited based on merit for a three-year term which may be renewed for another three years.   Source: http://www.aseansec.org/26845.htm    To download the Press Release, please click on the following PDF File.         Download File         [ 2012_1104_DSGappointed.pdf ]

CEEP-BIT and ERIA Joint Workshop on Energy & Environmental Modeling for Policy Development The “CEEP-BIT and ERIA Joint Workshop on Energy & Environmental Modeling for Policy Development” was hosted by Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research, Beijing Institute of Technology (CEEP-BIT) and co-organized by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) on 27 March 2012 at Friendship Hotel in Beijing, China.  Around 200 participants attended the workshop, mainly from universities and research institutes of China.  Members of ERIA’s Working Group for Analysis on Energy Saving Potential in East Asia were also attending.    The objective of the workshop was to provide a chance for energy modelers from China and the EAS region to share information, knowledge and experience on energy modeling. Eight models of energy modeling were introduced by experts during the workshop.  Those are namely: the Australian E4CAST Model, IEEJ’s Model, Malaysia’s Model and India’s model, ERI (NDRC) model, CEEP (BIT) models, and a ZSG-DEA based resource allocation model.  The participant also conducted a general discussion about energy and CO2 decomposition analysis.   As the result of the workshop, some points related to energy modeling were generated as follows:   a. Energy modeling was important but under-developed in many countries as a support to policy making.  b. Energy modelers need to have clear understanding on energy economic and engineering, which is necessary in justifying the modeling.   The workshop was designed to build the capacity towards model of energy, and thus a better support to policy making process. It highlighted that there exists a large potential for energy saving and conservation as well as the improvement of energy efficiency in many countries in the region. It thus suggested energy modelers to model the future trend of EEC precisely. It also called for development of regional energy and environmental models to support policy making for local governments. Through the workshop, participants also expressed its desire of continuing cooperation, nationally and internationally on developing energy modeling with supports of relevant institutes and ERIA in the future.   To download the Press Release, please click on the following PDF file.         Download File         [ CEEP-BIT and ERIA Joint Workshop on Energy & Environmental Modeling for Policy Development.pdf ]