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Begin New Search Topic International Affairs Political Geography Global Focus Content Type Commentary and Analysis

11. Vientiane-Hanoi Expressway Project

Author:
Masahito Ambashi
Publication Date:
06-2019
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)
Abstract:
The Vientiane–Hanoi Expressway (VHE) has been one of the most anticipated transportation projects between Lao PDR and Viet Nam. This report (1) explores the potentiality of the corridor between Hanoi and Vientiane as designated by the Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Development Program; (2) illustrates impacts on economies and industries of Lao PDR and surrounding countries of the VHE; (3) sets out industrial development strategies for Lao PDR, Viet Nam, and Thailand that take maximum advantage of the VHE; and (4) suggests appropriate financial mechanisms to construct the VHE. Thus, this report focuses on how Lao PDR and neighbouring countries can benefit from the expressway by strengthening relevant industries and forming a Bangkok–Vientiane–Hanoi industrial corridor from the perspective of global value chains and production networks developed in the Mekong region
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

12. Cool Japan, Creative Industries, and Diversity

Author:
Koichi Iwabuchi
Publication Date:
01-2019
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)
Abstract:
This paper critically considers the operation and objective of Japan’s ‘creative industry’ policy and suggests how to redesign it to align it with recent attention to cultural diversity. But the paper’s scope goes beyond business and extends to defining ‘creativity’ as a means to enhance civic dialogue, sympathy, and inclusion, to imagine a better society. The ‘creative industry’ can include independent and non-profit cultural projects that promote diversity by involving artists, museums, non-governmental and non-profit organisations, public service corporations, local communities, volunteers, and researchers. Such a redesign is compatible with the creative industry policy’s aim to advance social inclusion and democratisation by promoting grassroots creativity.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

13. ASEAN Vision 2040 Volume IV : Integrated and Connected Seamless ASEAN Economic Community

Author:
Ponciano Intal
Publication Date:
01-2019
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)
Abstract:
The volume consists of papers on critical elements for an integrated and connected Seamless ASEAN Economic Community up to 2040. The critical elements include seamless trade facilitation, managing nontariff measures, strategies on standards and conformance, engendering skills mobility and development, service sector development and open investment environment, competition and intellectual property policy, seamless logistics and connectivity, data flows and electronic payments in the digital economy, capital market deepening, and good regulatory practice.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

14. ASEAN Vision 2040 Volume III : Transforming and Deepening the ASEAN Community

Author:
Fukunari Kimura
Publication Date:
03-2019
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Center for Economic and Social Development (CESD)
Abstract:
The papers in Volume III delve into the theme of transforming and deepening the ASEAN Community. The main focus is on the digital and fourth industrial revolution as well as on innovation as both offer opportunities and challenges for ASEAN Member States for economic transformation and enhanced resiliency and sustainability. The volume also emphasises the drive towards greater inclusivity, leaving no one behind, and greater people centredness and engagement to deepen the sense of belongingness in the ASEAN Community.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

15. ASEAN Vision 2040 Volume II: Collective Leadership, ASEAN Centrality, and Strengthening the ASEAN Institutional Ecosystem

Author:
Simon Tay
Publication Date:
01-2019
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)
Abstract:
The papers in Volume II discuss the imperative of collective leadership and ASEAN centrality in light of the greater uncertainty in the global trading system and on regional security which have been underpinning ASEAN’s outward oriented strategy and development. It is suggested that ASEAN’s major Dialogue Partners in East Asia and the United States as well as ASEAN itself can be important contributors to strengthening collective leadership in East Asia and to enhancing ASEAN Centrality. The last paper in the volume presents ideas on how to strengthen ASEAN’s institutional ecosystem, which is important for ASEAN to be able to assert ASEAN centrality in an increasingly uncertain and changing regional environment.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

16. ADBI Working Paper Series: Firm Adjustment to Trade Policy Changes in East Asia

Author:
Dionisius Narjoko
Publication Date:
03-2019
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)
Abstract:
Trade and investment liberalization has been one of the key features of economic policy in many developing countries since the 1990s. Research on this subject has consistently produced more evidence on the benefits of globalization; theoretical studies give more attention to what happens within an industry when trade and liberalization occur, while empirical studies confirm the positive impact of trade liberalization. This paper reviews some recent studies on the subject of firms in a globalized economy to enable us to understand more about how firms respond to globalization or changes in trade and investment liberalization. The paper focuses on presenting or explaining the underlying mechanisms through which the effects are realized. The studies summarized in this paper generally confirm the positive impact of trade liberalization on productivity or the spectrum of measures reflecting productivity, such as product quality, firm size, or skill intensity. The positive impact goes through various channels, including competition and industry dynamics, exporting and innovation decisions, and production or investment decisions.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

17. Demand and Supply Potential of Hydrogen Energy in East Asia

Author:
Fukunari Kimura
Publication Date:
03-2019
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)
Abstract:
If groundbreaking technological developments in fuel cell vehicles, hydrogen power generation, and hydrogen supply were to be achieved, costs are expected to go down, resulting in the further benefits of an expansion of the hydrogen market and learning effects. Aggressive and environmentally friendly policies will certainly help to expedite the arrival of hydrogen as an important part in the transition to clean energy.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

18. ERIA Frames

Author:
EIRA
Publication Date:
05-2019
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)
Abstract:
ERIA and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) hosted a meeting between the heads and the Parliamentary Leagues for both organisations on 16 April 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. ERIA’s President Prof Hidetoshi Nishimura provided a brief overview of ERIA’s recent collaboration with OECD, which was the revised ASEAN SME Policy Index 2018. In addition, he requested further support from several Japanese ministries, namely the Cabinet Office; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; Ministry of the Environment; Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare; and Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Read more.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

19. The EU’s role in stabilising the Korean Peninsula

Author:
Mario Esteban
Publication Date:
02-2019
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Elcano Royal Institute
Abstract:
This working paper is the result of a process of collective reflection in which many academics and diplomats –with whom I have had extraordinarily fruitful conversations in Brussels, Madrid, Pyongyang and Seoul– have participated. The contributions of those who responded to the policy Delphi that we launched in the spring of 2018, and of the participants in the seminar that we organised at the Brussels office of the Elcano Royal Institute on 5 October 2018, were especially valuable. I would therefore like to explicitly thank Alexander Zhebin, Axel Berkofsky, Bartosz Wisniewski, Charles Powell, Eric Ballbach, Félix Arteaga, Françoise Nicolas, Hideshi Tokuchi, Hiro Akutsu, John Nilsson-Wright, Kim Songyong, Lee Dongmin, Liu Qing, Luis Simón, Michael Paul, Mikael Weissman, Niklas Swanström, Ramón Pacheco, Shin Beomchul and Tariq Rauf for their contributions. I would also like to acknowledge the work of Elisa Lledó in organising the seminar and of Virginia Crespi de Valldaura in helping to prepare this paper.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

20. Brexit: Time regained

Author:
Andrew Duff
Publication Date:
06-2019
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
European Policy Centre (EPC)
Abstract:
The UK has wasted precious time in the Brexit process. A no deal outcome has become the legal and political default. The new prime minister cannot avoid returning to Mrs May’s deal if he is to avoid no deal. Andrew Duff argues for changes to be made not only to the Political Declaration but also to the Withdrawal Agreement itself. One amendment is needed to buy time: the transition period should be made extendable until the final association agreement enters into force. Such a revision will not breach anyone’s red lines, will obviate the need for the Irish backstop, reassure businesses and citizens, and enable an orderly exit. Duff also argues that the British should pay far more attention to the joint governance of the Withdrawal Agreement. The idea that the UK will become a vassal of the EU is nonsense: in fact, the British will be able to wield influence after Brexit if the new prime minister adopts a positive attitude.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus