Jakarta, 26 October 2026: ERIA President Tetsuya Watanabe highlighted the importance of innovation, public–private investment, and deeper regional integration at the inaugural Danantara Technology Innovation Investment Forum (DTIIF) 2026, held at Fairmont Jakarta.

Speaking at the plenary session, ‘Asia’s Next Growth Cycle: Technology, Industry, and Regional Integration’, President Watanabe outlined how ASEAN could strengthen its competitiveness by developing technology-based industries and capturing greater value within the region.

He emphasised the role of public–private partnerships in bringing emerging technologies to commercial scale. Sharing early-stage investment risks, he noted, could encourage businesses to develop and scale up innovations in areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and clean energy.

President Watanabe also highlighted the importance of integrating energy, digital infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing through industrial clusters. Aligning these investments with national resources and workforce capabilities could help countries strengthen domestic industries and retain a greater share of the value generated by technological development.

He reaffirmed ERIA’s readiness to bring together governments, businesses, investors, and researchers to identify barriers and develop practical solutions. He also stressed the importance of translating policy dialogue into industrial roadmaps that support ASEAN’s next phase of growth.