The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), with the Institute for Economic Studies of Keio University, Tokyo, organised the 10th Annual Empirical Investigation on Trade and Investment (EITI) Conference at Sofitel Plaza Hanoi in Hanoi, Viet Nam on 9-12 March 2016.

Participating in the conference were 21 economists from 10 countries, namely, Australia, China, Denmark, German, Japan, Republic of Korea, Norway, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States.

On 9 March 2016, the participants had a chance to go on a half-day field trip to Canon Viet Nam, a major printer manufacturer in Viet Nam, and the Institute of Machinery and Industrial Equipment Holding, a Vietnamese state-owned enterprise that conducts research, training, and manufacturing of industrial machinery and instruments. The participants highly appreciated ERIA's efforts in organising the field trip, which provided them insights and first-hand information on the country's economic development.

The first day of the conference, 10 March, started with brief welcoming remarks from ERIA Chief Economist, Professor Fukunari Kimura. Professor Andrew B. Bernard of the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, United States expressed his gratitude to ERIA for hosting the event. The EITI serves as an important platform for international trade economists to present their latest research and exchange views on international trade and investment.

During the two-and-a-half day conference, 15 papers were presented and discussed. The presentations covered a wide range of topics, including global supply chain, innovation, trade financing, and inequality. New data and methodology have been employed in some studies, such as patent registration, satellite data, random control trial, and many others.

The successful EITI conference has not only served as a discussion forum but has also helped ERIA's further recognition in the academic community. Participants were able to learn about ERIA's activities and research in supporting regional economic integration, and expressed their interest in participating in ERIA projects in the future.