H.E. Dr. Alan Bollard, the Executive Director of APEC visited ERIA Annex Office on February 28, 2013. He was accompanied by Dr. Denis Hew, Director of Policy Support Unit of APEC.

Mr. Yasushi Iwata, General Manager of ERIA, explained the organizational structure of ERIA to the visitors. He also explained in brief some of ERIA's recent studies. Both exchanged views on ERIA's research projects as well as regional economic integration, including the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). They also reflected on the processes which could enable mutual learning between APEC and ASEAN.

Both APEC and ERIA agreed to explore possible collaborative works in the future, in areas of mutual interest.