International trade has lifted more than a billion people out of poverty and driven economic growth in the Asia Pacific since 1990. Aid for Trade helps developing economies maximise the benefits of trade liberalisation. This public seminar launches two recent ADB reports Aid for Trade in Asia and the Pacific and Trade Facilitation for a More Inclusive and Connected Asia and Pacific Region. The reports review the latest regional trends in Aid for Trade disbursements and trade costs, particularly for geographically challenged, sea-locked Pacific economies. The reports also address key issues surrounding how AfT can facilitate the growth and tradability of services, digitalisation and gender empowerment through targeted interventions for institutional and regulatory reforms.

The opening address for this event will be made by Ms Frances Adamson, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

ADB Chief Economist, Yasuyuki Sawada, and Director of Regional Cooperation and Integration, Cyn-Young Park, will then present the reports’ key findings and generate discussion on how Aid for Trade can further strengthen inclusive, trade-driven growth in the region amid an uncertain global economic environment.

The Aid for Trade in Asia and the Pacific and Trade Facilitation for a More Inclusive and Connected Asia and Pacific Region reports are available via the Asian Development Bank website.

This public seminar is convened by the East Asian Bureau of Economic Research and Development Policy Centre at the Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU.