The second Research Institute Network Meeting (RINM) for Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) for the year 2013-14 was held in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, on 11 January, 2014 under the Chairmanship of Dr. Hank Lim Giok-Hay from Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA).

Dato Lim Jock Hoi, Permanent Secretary of Brunei's Ministry of Trade and Industry, in his welcome remarks commended the active role in the research projects and the research works carried out by the research institutes for ERIA and also in their respective countries, especially for the AEC pillar.Dato Lim Jock Hoi, who is also the Chair of the ERIA Governing Board, urged the RIN members to take up research in new areas such as food security, energy security, connectivity, regulatory reforms and PPP, and continue to explore new areas and issues for research and analysis. "RIN members should be vigilant and up-to-date on current issues affecting and which can affect the region economically and as well as be able to strengthen networking not only between and among research institutions in East Asia but also with other notable research institutes in the world." He strongly urged the Network members to strengthen their interaction and dialogues with policymakers in their respective countries in order to ensure the translation of their outputs and recommendations into policy actions.

Prof Fukunari Kimura, Chief Economist of ERIA explained the research on AEC Beyond 2015, AEC Scorecard Phase IV, Utilization of FTAs and RCEP, ASEAN SME Policy Index, Myanmar Comprehensive Development Vision, Disaster Management and Social Security System. The meeting was also informed of the initiative to establish the energy research institute network. All the RIN members gave comprehensive feedback on the research activities of ERIA and gave suggestions for new/collaborative issues for research.

Prof Hidetoshi Nishimura, Executive Director of ERIA, acknowledged the recommendations made by the RIN and offered ERIA's continued assistance to the chair country of ASEAN in this year and the coming years.The recognition of ERIA's activities in the Chairman's Statement of the East Asia Summit was applauded by the RIN members.During the meeting, RIN members discussed what WTO should look towards in near future after Bali. The statement titled 'Whither WTO' is being finalized by the members and to be released.