Opening Remarks

Angeline Szeto from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), represented the Technical Cooperation Directorate, thanking the participants and noted that Singapore has been working with the ADB since 1991, and has been involved in the organisation of programmes that have included over 700 officials with technical training programmes. She stated that Singapore learnt from its neighbours when it was still a young nation. The Singapore Cooperation Program (SCP) is one of the vehicles Singapore uses to share its knowledge and experiences, as part of the strategy to foster strong ties with its neighbours and the ASEAN region in general.

Aladdin D. Rillo from the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), noted that this was the fifth time the it has organised an event with NTU.  The ADBI exists to contribute to policymaking with research and capacity-building programmes and policy dialogues, so governments can effectively promote policies within their countries. ADBI is working on regional integration and facilitating cooperation between nations for development. Economic corridor development was chosen as a theme this year, as economic corridors can take advantage of production networks. To develop economic corridors, more sophisticated skills need to be developed and a capacity-building programme is an excellent opportunity to learn and share among officials and experts.

Ralf Emmers from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), noted that with the sharp declines in tariff rates all over Asia, non-price components of trading costs such as logistics and infrastructure development have become the key determinants of export competitiveness. Efficient service links including hard and soft infrastructure are also required to link countries to production blocs in supply chains and production networks. Overall, Emmers believed that the workshop would give a chance for public administrators to hone their ideas.

James Lynch from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), opined that connectivity is necessary for development and though it has improved, there are still challenges. The ADB has prioritised improving connectivity to increase sub-regional cooperation, and their efforts include the GMS (Greater Mekong Sub-region) Program,  BIMP-EAGA (The East Asian Growth Area), CAREC (Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation), SASEC (South Asia Sub-regional Economic Cooperation), and IMT-GT (the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle). These sub-regional cooperation programs tie in with ASEAN’s push for greater economic integration and greater development and inclusive growth for the whole region.