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RCEP 10-Year Anniversary: Reminiscing the Journey of RCEP and Launching of ERIA Book: Dynamism of East Asia and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP): The Framework for Regional Integration

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Background

The year 2022 highlights the importance of RCEP as the largest global regional and global trading block. RCEP as a ‘rule-based’ multilateral regional free trade agreement will be important for regional and global pandemic recovery. With the RCEP entering into force in early 2022, it has been 10 years since its inception, making it even more important to commemorate this momentous occasion. The forum combines two key events:

  1. The 10th Anniversary of RCEP initiation: To mark this momentous occasion, it is timely and necessary to indulge in the retrospection of RCEP’s 10-year journey. The deliberation on the achievements and lessons learned from negotiating and signing of RCEP will culminate in the successful implementation of RCEP
  2. The launching of ERIA's second book on RCEP titled ‘Dynamism of East Asia and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP): The Framework for Regional Integration’. The book examines and explores the key elements of the agreement as well as discusses the key potential implications of RCEP to the regional integration process.

Objectives

This event aims to:

  • Reminisce the decade-long journey of RCEP and highlight RCEP achievements and the lessons learned since its negotiation stage as well as explore priority areas to promote the utilization of RCEP;
  • Develop deeper understanding on the key elements of the agreement and highlighting the implications of the RCEP to domestic structural transformation and regional integration with the book launch;
  • Enhance the understanding of relevant stakeholders on the significance and opportunities from RCEP Agreement to facilitate greater trade and investment in the region.

Event Details

  • Date: Wednesday, 2 November  - Thursday, 3 November 2022
  • Venue: Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra

Agenda

DAY 1 : 2 NOVEMBER 2022

8:00AM - 8:30AM

Welcome Remarks

  • H.E. Mr PAN Sorasak, Chair of the 54th ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Meeting; Minister of Commerce of the Kingdom of Cambodia

Keynote Address 

  • Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia

8:30AM - 8:40AM

Handover Ceremony of ERIA Second RCEP Book and other ERIA Studies

'Dynamism of East Asia and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP): The Framework for Regional Integration'

8:40AM - 9:10AM

Coffee Break

9:10AM - 9:20AM

Opening Remarks

Prof Hidetoshi Nishimura, President of Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)

9:20AM - 10:30AM

High-level Panel Discussion on the Genesis of RCEP 

This session will look back on the stories and journey behind RCEP from the perspective of key officials and stakeholders who were involved in developing and/or negotiation of RCEP. Highlights of discussion could include issues such as

  • the origin of RCEP,
  • challenges during the course of RCEP negotiations,
  • opportunities for businesses (including SMEs) and key stakeholders, and
  • way forward for RCEP in strengthening regional trade architecture (AEC) and multilateral trading

Moderator:

  • Ms Anna Robeniol, Advisor to the Secretary-General of ASEAN; Advisor to the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Economic Community

Panelists:

  • H.E. Dato Lim Jock HoiSecretary-General of ASEAN
  • H.E. Professor Mari Elka Pangestu, Managing Director of Development Policy and Partnerships, World Bank; Former Minister of Trade (2004-2011), Republic of Indonesia; Former Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (2011-2014), Republic of Indonesia (online)

  • Mr Iman Pambagyo, Former Chair of RCEP Trade Negotiating Committee (TNC); Former Director General of International Trade Negotiation, Ministry of Trade, Republic of Indonesia

  • H.E. Mr Han-Koo Yeo, Former Lead of ROK RCEP Trade Negotiating Committee (TNC); Former Minister for Trade (2021-2022), Republic of Korea

10:30AM - 11:30AM

Future of RCEP: Lessons learned from the 10 years of RCEP Journey

Reflecting from the lessons learned of RCEP’s decade-long journey, this part will feature a session with stakeholders to unpack findings from recent studies/analysis on RCEP and its potential ahead.

Moderator:

  • Dr Julia Puspadewi Tijaja, Head of Market and Competitiveness, Prospera

Panelists:

  • Prof Shujiro Urata, Advisor to ERIA President, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)
  • Dr Sanchita Basu-Das, Economist, Asian Development BankPresident of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the East Asia Business Summit
  • Mr Neak Oknha Kith Meng, President of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the East Asia Business Summit
  • H.E. Mr Satvinder Singh, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Economic Community

11:30AM - 11:40AM

Photo Session (High-level Panelist + Minister H.E. Mr. PAN Sorasak)

11:40AM - 12:00PM

Launch of the ASEAN Tariff Finder

A platform to help businesses, particularly MSMEs to access information regarding tariffs in various FTAs.

Closing Remarks

  • H.E. Mr Satvinder Singh, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Economic Community

12:00PM - 1:10PM

Lunch

Discussion on ERIA RCEP Book

Dynamism of East Asia and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP): The Framework for Regional Integration

1:10PM - 2:40PM

Panel Session 1: Services Liberalization

Moderator:

  • Dr Dionisius Narjoko, ERIA

Update on RCEP Services Liberalization: Key Features and Implications

  • Prof Ramonette Serafica, Philippine Institute for Development Studies
  • Dr Intan Ramli, ERIA

Electronic Commerce in RCEP

  • Professor Jane Kelsey, The University of Auckland

Modern Services in RCEP

  • Professor Christopher Findlay, Australian Pacific Economic Council
  • Dr Xianjia Ye, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
  • Prof Hein Roelfsema, Utrecht University

2:40PM - 3:10PM

Coffee Break

3:10PM - 4:40PM

Panel Session 2: Investment and Trade Facilitation

Moderator:

  • H.E. Mr SIM Sokheng, Secretary of State, Ministry of Commerce, Kingdom of Cambodia

Trade Facilitation in RCEP

  • Dr Wenxiao Wang, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law
  • Prof Shandre Mugan Thangavelu, Jeffrey Cheah Institute for Southeast Asia, Sunway University; Institute for International Trade, University of Adelaide

Issues in Investment Chapter

  • Prof Henry Gao, Singapore Management University

DAY 2 : 3 NOVEMBER 2022

9:00AM - 10:30AM

Panel Session 3: RCEP and Production Structure

Moderator:

  • Dr Dionisius Narjoko, ERIA

RCEP and International Production Networks

  • Prof Fukunari Kimura, ERIA; Keio University
  • Prof Mitsuyo Ando, Keio University
  • Dr Kenta Yamanouchi, Kagawa University

Rules of Origins and International Production Networks

  • Dr Archanun Kohpaiboon, Thammasat University

How Preferential are RCEP Tariffs?

  • Dr Kazunobu Hayakawa, Institute of Developing Economies

10:30AM - 11:00AM

Coffee Break

11:00AM - 12:00PM

Panel Session 4: Behind Border Issues

Moderator:

  • H.E. Mr Chan Sopheap, Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Kingdom of Cambodia

RCEP: Capacity Building and Impact on SME

  • Dr Cassey Lee, ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute

Trade Remedies

  • Mr Joseph Wira Koesnaidi, JWK Law Office
  • Ms Yu Yessi Lesmana, JKW Law Office

12:00PM - 12:30PM

Closing Panel Discussion

Moderator:

  • Prof Shandre Mugan Thangavelu, Jeffrey Cheah Institute for Southeast Asia, Sunway University; Institute for International Trade, University of Adelaide

Panellists:

  • H.E. Mr SIM Sokheng, Secretary of State, Ministry of Commerce, Kingdom of Cambodia
  • H.E. Mr CHAN Sopheap, Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Kingdom of Cambodia
  • Dr Dionisius Ardiyanto Narjoko, ERIA

12:30PM - 2:00PM

Lunch

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Concept Note and Agenda

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