Asia House

Asia House is an independent think tank working with governments in Asia, the Middle East and Europe and some of the world’s biggest companies.   Asia House provides an unrivalled platform for dialogue with government ministers, business leaders and decision-makers. We convene the right people to have meaningful discussions on key policy issues.   Asia House also produces high-quality, original research; powerful thought-leadership programmes; and provides strategic advice to businesses and governments.    To work with us, please contact Katie Reid, Stakeholder Engagement Associate at Asia House via katie.reid@asiahouse.co.uk. #asiahouse

Yesterday, Canada successfully hosted the eighth Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Commission meeting in Vancouver. This milestone event deepens collaboration and strengthens trade ties among member nations, underscoring a shared commitment to fostering economic growth across the region.   At Asia House, we recently analysed the UK's accession to the CPTPP - a pivotal moment in global trade. The agreement unlocks opportunities for both the UK and the Asia-Pacific region, paving the way for enhanced market access, strengthened supply chains, and a foundation for innovation and investment in sectors such as technology, services, and sustainability.   For the UK, joining the CPTPP is a key pillar in its post-Brexit trade strategy, broadening its global networks and ensuring competitiveness in an increasingly interconnected world. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eyi-5Ubv   #CPTPP #GlobalTrade #UK #Canada #AsiaPacific #TradeOpportunities

This week, APEC - Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders convened in Peru for the annual forum, aiming to forge a renewed approach to economic co-operation in response to today’s unprecedented challenges. Recently, Asia House welcomed Ambassador Matt Murray, the U.S. Senior Official for APEC, who briefed our corporate members on the U.S. economic strategy across the APEC region. Ahead of Peru 2024, Ambassador Murray’s insights reinforced APEC’s mission to foster shared prosperity and build resilient economies amid global uncertainties. Chaired by Asia House Chief Executive Michael Lawrence OBE, the session explored the evolving dynamics of U.S. economic policy in the region and highlighted the importance of platforms like APEC in navigating the complexities of international trade and investment. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e44NEJZs #APEC2024 #Peru2024 #AsiaPacific #economicgrowth #innovation #Sustainability

As millions celebrate Diwali - the festival of lights and one of the most significant events in the Hindu calendar - it highlights the deepening cultural and economic ties between India and the UK. On Wednesday 6 November, Asia House will be joined by Harjinder Kang, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for South Asia and British Deputy High Commissioner for Western India from Mumbai for an exclusive Corporate Members digital briefing. Kang will provide key updates on India-UK relations, the progress of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and India’s political economy following the recent budget and general elections. Additionally, he will share his perspectives on India’s growing diplomatic influence, particularly in relation to the US and China. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eTNzgKHN #asiahouse #india #uk

Indonesia’s newly elected President, Prabowo Subianto, has announced his cabinet, retaining key figures from the previous administration’s economic team.   In a move aimed at ensuring stability and addressing concerns from international investors, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, a trusted figure who served as Finance Minister under President Jokowi, has been reappointed. Known for her disciplined approach to managing the country’s finances, her reappointment is seen as a reassurance to markets.   Shinta Kamdani, Chairperson of the Indonesia Employers Association Asosiasi Pengusaha Indonesia (APINDO), shared with Asia House that “the market trusts Sri Mulyani’s solid track record with proven results.”   For a deeper dive into Indonesia's new government, its experienced economic leadership, and the complexities posed by the expanded cabinet, read the full analysis by Asia House’s Indonesia Advisor Sandra Sahelangi here ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/dfj_V-DV #indonesia #election #asiahouse #asia

Dr Ma Jun, Founder and President of the Institute of Finance and Sustainability in Beijing, briefed Asia House this morning on China’s green finance and sustainable development agenda.   Speaking from Beijing, Dr Ma offered an in-depth overview of China’s green transition goals ahead of 2025 new national climate commitments (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, as well as its international collaboration on developing green taxonomy with the EU, the UK, and G20 countries.    He highlighted the growing role of carbon trading in China, updates to the emissions trading system, and the development of transition finance markets across Asia.   Read more below ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/e8KRJzbT #china #greenfinance #ESG #climatechange #carbontrading

The Asia House Fellowship Programme is welcoming applicants for 2025. The programme aims to develop the next generation of business and policy leaders. The Fellowships offer a unique 12-month opportunity for postgraduate candidates who share Asia House’s vision for a strong and dynamic relationship between Asia, the Middle East and Europe. The Fellows will each conduct a major research project on the issues driving change across Asia and the Middle East. Their research will be published and distributed by Asia House to its wide network of senior business and policy figures and will inform the Asia House programme of engagement with global leaders. For further information on the programme and eligibility please follow the link. https://lnkd.in/e7_AF77c #fellowship #asiahouse

Asia House Fellow Yaxin Guo explores how China can sustain and enhance its global competitiveness in the EV industry, with a focus on case studies from the European and Gulf markets. This is despite significant challenges, such as tariff barriers, along with limited customer awareness and negative reputation of Chinese EV brands. Key findings of the report include ⬇️ China has established itself as a leading force in the emerging electric vehicle (EV) industry, however, its competitiveness is facing growing challenges. Localising production in key markets – a strategy adopted by Japanese automakers in the 1980s – may provide valuable insights into addressing the challenges currently faced by EV exports from China. In Europe, EVs made in China face hefty tariffs, which serve as a means for Europe to protect its domestic industries. In the European market, Chinese EV manufacturers could consider setting up factories to create local value. In the Gulf region, the establishment of local factories by Chinese EV brands could help diversify geopolitical alliances and strengthen trade relations between the Gulf and China. There are several other pathways for mutually beneficial cooperation in the EV industry between the Gulf and China. These include strategic investments by Gulf countries in Chinese EV companies, many of which face capital shortages, and replicating the “Belt and Road Initiative” model in the EV industry. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/giRdzvP2 #asiashouse #electricvehicles #fellow #china

Asia House Fellow Apoorva Vishnoi explores the impact and challenges associated with stakeholder consultations in FTA negotiations in Indonesia and Vietnam, when compared to the more developed economies of the EU and Australia. The research identifies seven key challenges in making these consultations more effective in Indonesia and Vietnam ⬇️ (1) Governments have faced difficulty in identifying the right stakeholders. Improper identification can incorrectly exclude businesses that will be affected by FTA issues, denying them the chance to contribute. (2) Businesses generally lack awareness and knowledge about FTAs. This is particularly the case for new-generation FTAs, which are far-reaching in their scope but often involve highly technical information. (3) There is limited transparency in stakeholder consultations which makes it harder for businesses to determine if they will be affected by a given FTA and their ability to provide relevant and useful feedback. (4) There is limited participation of SMEs in the consultation mechanism, as consultations are dominated by large businesses and associations. (5) Business leaders are relatively passive and not proactive when it comes to providing high-quality input and advocating for their interests in FTAs. (6) FTAs are complex and businesses lack access to research capabilities. (7) Businesses in Vietnam and Indonesia tend to focus primarily on goods exports and tariff lines and show little interest in topics such as services or investment during FTA negotiations. The study also offers five potential pathways for the governments and businesses in Vietnam and Indonesia to explore when dealing with these challenges. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/gS7UepPM #asiahouse #asia #fellowship

Asia House Fellow Poomthawat Wachirapornpruet explores fragmented personal data regulations in Southeast Asia and their impacts on cross-border consumer digital finance. Some key takeaways are ⬇️ Digital finance providers consider personal data regulations useful for fostering consumer trust. However, the currently fragmented regulatory landscape in Southeast Asia can lead to higher compliance cost and warrant complex workarounds when digital finance operates cross-border. For now, this is not an insurmountable obstacle for businesses due to local players’ focus on domestic markets and the ability of international firms to deploy measures to mitigate the lack of regulatory interoperability. Still, regionwide interoperability in personal data regulations can increase efficiency and drive innovation. It can also reduce undesirable side-effects of current workaround strategies, such as cyber vulnerabilities. The ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), the world’s first regionwide digital economy pact, is a prominent example of multi-stakeholder efforts to improve the interoperability of personal data regulations. Ultimately, the extent to which digital finance in Southeast Asia can benefit from interoperability also depends on both technological innovation within the industry and consumer readiness. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/e9YeBsi2 #asiahouse #asia #southeast #fellowship