Jakarta, 2 September 2022: In the era of digital transformation, a single digital market is necessary for ASEAN to utilise common data and pursue a fully digitalised supply chain. This was how Mr Koji Hachiyama, Chief Operating Officer of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) explained to two visiting ASEAN dignitaries the concept of a new ERIA initiative.

H.E. Satvinder Singh, Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN Secretariat, and Dr Ahmad Zafarullah, Director of ASEAN Integration Monitoring Directorate, were warmly welcomed by the ERIA executive as they were briefed on the concept of the ERIA Centre for Digital Innovation and Sustainable Economy. The ERIA COO pointed out that the centre will bring together multi-stakeholders from the academia, government, and business sector and provide practical policy recommendations to the region. H.E. Singh encouraged ERIA to pursue the establishment of the centre as it will add value to ERIA’s research and activities. ERIA and the ASEAN Secretariat expect an early implementation of the pilot project.