This comprehensive Handbook provides an in-depth analysis of the nature of East Asian economic integration alongside thoughtful insights into contemporary issues, such as digital technology and the environment. Contributors provide detailed explanations of the origins of the topic, tracing the evolution of production networks and guiding readers through contemporary policy issues. Key feaatures: Trade, poverty and Aid-for-Trade Skills and human capital development policies of ASEAN Institutional reforms, regulatory reform and measuring integration Agricultural development, structural transformation and East Asian trade The Handbook concludes with a considered review of regional security and discusses how improvements in this area can cause obstructions to economic integration, highlighting future approaches for how these issues can be resolved. Accessible and engaging, this Handbook will be an excellent resource for scholars of Asian and regional economics and studies. Policymakers within the media and financial institutions will also benefit from the practical case studies and suggested avenues for future policy improvements.

East Asian countries - currently the most dynamic region of the global economy - have recently pursued trade liberalization through the adoption of various forms of bilateral and plurilateral Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). The book explores the key issues and possible outcomes arising from this departure from the region's traditional multilateral approach to trade liberalization. Implications of this new approach for the region as a whole, and key participating individual economies and blocs of economies, are emphasized. New East Asian Regionalism includes up-to-date analysis of the most recent developments in FTAs between countries in East Asia, as well as those involving countries from outside the region. Furthermore, the book includes invaluable projections on economic and welfare outcomes of regional trade agreements, using the very latest empirical techniques, and data. The book also considers the implications arising from closer financial integration in the region. This book will be warmly welcomed by scholars of regional science, international economics and business, as well as Asian studies. Policymakers at both the national government and international organization level will also find this book of great interest.

This book answers the recently topical questions of how China's processed trade affects the trade of Southeast Asia. What is Southeast Asia's role in Factory Asia, the region's complex of cross-border supply chains? What is Southeast Asia's involvement in building or joining production networks in the region? And, most important, how can Southeast Asia increase the value added of its products and improve its competitiveness? This book provides rigorous analysis of how trade policy affects value added, highly disaggregated at the firm and product level, of the six Southeast Asian countries - Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Viet Nam - and combines this with thorough examinations of their trade, industrial and labour policies.

The rapid and sustained economic growth of the past two decades has led to marked increases in energy demand in the region and developing Asia will continue to lead the energy demand growth. The increase in energy demand threatens energy security and efforts to curb carbon dioxide emissions, affecting health and social well-being. These common energy challenges will need to be addressed through concerted efforts. This book provides several multi-dimensional quantitative analysis of the relationship between energy and other subjects including but not limited to income and economic growth, environment and health, food and agricultural production. The book also provides the most constructive policy recommendations concerning the relationship between energy, economic development, social development, and environmental development.

The trade-investment-service-intellectual property (IP) nexus remains at the heart of economic development and the main features of which are global value chains (GVCs) and digitalisation. The protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) has become a critical issue not only for advanced economies but also for emerging markets. This edited volume contributes to the debates on IPR protection and economic development from the perspective of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states. The book provides insights into the mechanism and evidence on how effective IPR protection will increase economic and social welfare via promoting innovation activities and providing incentives to diffuse knowledge and transfer technologies. Written by economists and lawyers from the region, these experts share their latest findings and thoughts on how countries in Southeast Asia have been progressively improving IPR protection and increasing the interoperability of different IPR regimes through regional cooperation to facilitate business operations in the context of digital transformation.

This book advances the international debate on the development of e-commerce with focus on emerging ASEAN economies. It provides readers insights on Asia's needs and efforts to improve the regional legal and economic conditions to support e-commerce. This book looks at the rules and regulations on e-commerce, and e-commerce for inclusiveness growth. It provides insights from several ASEAN member states and discovers the requirements for Asian countries to better grasp the new juncture of growth associated with economic digitalization, which also have deep implications on continuous regional integration and community-building.

The rapid and sustained economic growth of the past two decades has led to marked increases in energy demand in the region and developing Asia will continue to lead the energy demand growth. The increase in energy demand threatens energy security and efforts to curb carbon dioxide emissions, affecting health and social well-being. These common energy challenges will need to be addressed through concerted efforts. This book provides several multi-dimensional quantitative analysis of the relationship between energy and other subjects including but not limited to income and economic growth, environment and health, food and agricultural production. The book also provides the most constructive policy recommendations concerning the relationship between energy, economic development, social development, and environmental development.

This book advances the international debate on the development of e-commerce with focus on emerging ASEAN economies. It provides readers insights on Asia's needs and efforts to improve the regional legal and economic conditions to support e-commerce. This book looks at the rules and regulations on e-commerce, and e-commerce for inclusiveness growth. It provides insights from several ASEAN member states and discovers the requirements for Asian countries to better grasp the new juncture of growth associated with economic digitalization, which also have deep implications on continuous regional integration and community-building.

This book focuses on relatively unexplored areas in pension and health care arrangements, including financing, in East Asia. The book aims to fill the literature gap on social protection in East Asia by covering issues such as pension and health care arrangements in the depopulating high income countries of Japan and Korea; the challenges of the pay-out phase in Defined Contribution (DC) arrangements in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore; and the extension of coverage of social protection schemes in China, India, and Indonesia. It also reviews social protection from a much wider perspective and extends coverage of social protection in terms of both the proportion of the population with access to the social protection scheme and the types of risks faced by the households and by society as a whole. The book also gives attention to reforms of civil service pensions.

This book focuses on relatively unexplored areas in pension and health care arrangements, including financing, in East Asia. The book aims to fill the literature gap on social protection in East Asia by covering issues such as pension and health care arrangements in the depopulating high income countries of Japan and Korea; the challenges of the pay-out phase in Defined Contribution (DC) arrangements in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore; and the extension of coverage of social protection schemes in China, India, and Indonesia. It also reviews social protection from a much wider perspective and extends coverage of social protection in terms of both the proportion of the population with access to the social protection scheme and the types of risks faced by the households and by society as a whole. The book also gives attention to reforms of civil service pensions.

Developing countries in East Asia recorded remarkable economic growth until the Asian financial crisis erupted in mid-1997. Although several countries experienced devastating setbacks, most of them recovered to achieve reasonable rates of economic growth over the next few years. Sound macroeconomic management, export-oriented policies, and the availability of skilled and low-wage labour are among the factors that contributed to the rapid economic growth before the crisis and the recovery thereafter. Especially noteworthy in this regard is the role played by foreign direct investment (FDI). This comprehensive book identifies the factors that contributed to the expansion of FDI inflows in East Asia and the factors that enabled recipient countries to utilize FDI effectively. It includes detailed case studies on China, South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Also included is a comparative study of investing firms headquartered in the United States, Japan and Hong Kong. The authors conclude that social stability, clear and effective policy implementation and corporate governance are all key factors in reaping economic success from FDI.

This book answers the recently topical questions of how China's processed trade affects the trade of Southeast Asia. What is Southeast Asia's role in Factory Asia, the region's complex of cross-border supply chains? What is Southeast Asia's involvement in building or joining production networks in the region? And, most important, how can Southeast Asia increase the value added of its products and improve its competitiveness? This book provides rigorous analysis of how trade policy affects value added, highly disaggregated at the firm and product level, of the six Southeast Asian countries - Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Viet Nam - and combines this with thorough examinations of their trade, industrial and labour policies.

Developing countries in East Asia recorded remarkable economic growth until the Asian financial crisis erupted in mid-1997. Although several countries experienced devastating setbacks, most of them recovered to achieve reasonable rates of economic growth over the next few years. Sound macroeconomic management, export-oriented policies, and the availability of skilled and low-wage labour are among the factors that contributed to the rapid economic growth before the crisis and the recovery thereafter. Especially noteworthy in this regard is the role played by foreign direct investment (FDI). This comprehensive book identifies the factors that contributed to the expansion of FDI inflows in East Asia and the factors that enabled recipient countries to utilize FDI effectively. It includes detailed case studies on China, South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Also included is a comparative study of investing firms headquartered in the United States, Japan and Hong Kong. The authors conclude that social stability, clear and effective policy implementation and corporate governance are all key factors in reaping economic success from FDI.

East Asian nations through the dialogue between ASEAN and its partners have been promoting energy market integration (EMI) for a decade. The formation of the East Asian Summit (EAS) group in 2005 adds new momentum to the EMI course in the region. The objective of this edited volume is to present new insights into the understanding of EMI in East Asia and draw implications for further development. This book is the first publication of its kind exclusively focusing on EMI in East Asia. The chapters are written by a distinguished group of specialists in the field of energy policy, business and economics. The covered topics range from the general debates about EMI to regional policy responses. A variety of qualitative and quantitative methods are employed in this book. For qualitative methods, public goods theory and the comparative study method are two examples. The quantitative methods include economic growth theory, principle component approach, input-output table, computable general equilibrium (CGE) models and econometric techniques. Important policy implications can be drawn from the findings. One clear message is that EMI should be promoted actively but in a gradual, incremental manner. Other policy implications are related to inter-regional governance, infrastructure development and gas market integration. The content has not been published elsewhere and hence makes a unique contribution to the literature. There are also case studies of specific energy sectors such as petroleum and natural gas. Overall this book should be of interest to a wide audience such as academia, business analysts and policy makers.

East Asian nations through the dialogue between ASEAN and its partners have been promoting energy market integration (EMI) for a decade. The formation of the East Asian Summit (EAS) group in 2005 adds new momentum to the EMI course in the region. The objective of this edited volume is to present new insights into the understanding of EMI in East Asia and draw implications for further development. This book is the first publication of its kind exclusively focusing on EMI in East Asia. The chapters are written by a distinguished group of specialists in the field of energy policy, business and economics. The covered topics range from the general debates about EMI to regional policy responses. A variety of qualitative and quantitative methods are employed in this book. For qualitative methods, public goods theory and the comparative study method are two examples. The quantitative methods include economic growth theory, principle component approach, input-output table, computable general equilibrium (CGE) models and econometric techniques. Important policy implications can be drawn from the findings. One clear message is that EMI should be promoted actively but in a gradual, incremental manner. Other policy implications are related to inter-regional governance, infrastructure development and gas market integration. The content has not been published elsewhere and hence makes a unique contribution to the literature. There are also case studies of specific energy sectors such as petroleum and natural gas. Overall this book should be of interest to a wide audience such as academia, business analysts and policy makers.

This book investigates individual companies' and industries' supply chain risk management approaches to identify risk drivers and verify effective risk-reduction measures and business continuity plans. Typically, supply chain risk assessments focus on normative guidelines based on single best practice examples or vulnerability events, and there has been little work exploring how the concepts of supply chain risk management and resilience are related. However, since this relationship has implications for developing integrated response strategies, a clear understanding of the possible consequences is a fundamental step in building socio-economic resilience along the supply chain. Against this background, the book addresses three main topics: firstly, it defines the conceptual and sectoral domains of supply chain risk management and resilience by examining the welfare effects of extreme weather events and other economic shocks on selected global supply chains. It then presents an in-depth analysis of the scope of public-private partnerships to tackle the risks, by empirically exploring supply chain risk effects and information management. Thirdly, it proposes a regional cooperation framework in the context of major supply chain vulnerability events such as disasters and global financial crises.

This book is the first comprehensive assessment of the state of low-carbon investments in Asia, analyzing the rationales, mandates and public-private financing activities. Based on the experiences of several regional initiatives wherein public financing is catalyzing private investments in low-carbon infrastructure, this book proposes a framework that can be used as a tool to identify factors that influence private investment decisions and policy instruments that can scale up the private capital. Placing the Asian economies onto a low-carbon development pathway requires an unprecedented shift in investments. This book addresses this situation by asking questions such as: * What is the central role of private finance in achieving the Paris Agreement targets? * What key policy levers and risk mitigation can governments use in an effort to unlock the potentials of private capital? * How can regionally coordinated actions hold significant promise for scaling up private investments?

The electricity sector's reforms aim to modernise its infrastructure, rules, policies, and procedures to allow for more efficiency and for clean energy to have the same playing field in the power competition/wholesale/retail electricity market. This will enable inefficient power to be phased out gradually. Over the past 2 decades, there has been remarkable progress in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) electricity markets that has increased the electrification ratio substantially; however, it has not achieved free market competition, universal electrification, and emission reduction plans. ASEAN aims to achieve universal access to electricity by 2030.Electricity Market Reforms in ASEAN, China, India, and Japan provides 10 empirical studies investigating and evaluating the electricity market reforms in Southeast Asia, China, India, and Japan. The book analyses the electricity market policy reform plans, market liberalisation, tariff reform, electricity trade, renewable energy integration, resource allocation, and the sustainability of the electricity market in the region and these countries. It provides policy recommendations to foster the reforms and increase market efficiency.

This book assesses the progress in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in ASEAN, India and China using the above framework conditions in the context with three main propositions. First, translating the SDGs into regional economic integration strategies during the pandemic recovery can enhance the link between global objectives and the multifaceted reality of an ASEAN community building process, and providing a strategic option to strengthen the regional approaches. Secondly, a regional approach on complementarities to SDGs can facilitate the definition of relevant targets/indicators and enhance the monitoring and evaluation framework. In so doing it could also offer the scope to integrate more closely ASEAN community’s social and environmental concerns into existing economic, social and political frameworks. Thirdly, focusing just on the geo-economic sphere – the area where south east and East Asian economic integration is relatively more advanced – will prove the hypothesis that effective regional integration through mega trade agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) can support the Asia’s transformation agenda and foster more inclusive and sustainable growth.

This book provides several up-to-date empirical policy-oriented studies on assessing the impacts of climate change on various economic sectors and the role of renewable energy resources in mitigating pollution and climate change. It suggests various policy recommendations on how to increase the share of renewable energy resources in the energy baskets of the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the rest of the world to ensure energy sustainability. As of 2020, most of the world's energy investment still went to carbon-emitting sources, namely, fossil fuels. On the other hand, the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic Project Overview 20 March 2021 08:39 Page 6 of 9 downturns shrank the global energy demand, including fossil fuels, resulting in a sharp drop in their prices. Low fossil fuel prices are harmful to developing renewable energy projects, making solar, wind, and other renewable energy resources less competitive as sources of electricity. This is endangering the Paris agreement and the "Climate Action" goal of the United Nations. Given the high share of fossil fuels in the energy mix of the members of ASEAN, tremendous challenges must be faced for their energy transition in the post-Covid-19 world. The authors call for sound policy and applicable technologies to ensure sustainable energy availability, accessibility, and affordability to reach emission reduction targets.

This book investigates individual companies' and industries' supply chain risk management approaches to identify risk drivers and verify effective risk-reduction measures and business continuity plans. Typically, supply chain risk assessments focus on normative guidelines based on single best practice examples or vulnerability events, and there has been little work exploring how the concepts of supply chain risk management and resilience are related. However, since this relationship has implications for developing integrated response strategies, a clear understanding of the possible consequences is a fundamental step in building socio-economic resilience along the supply chain. Against this background, the book addresses three main topics: firstly, it defines the conceptual and sectoral domains of supply chain risk management and resilience by examining the welfare effects of extreme weather events and other economic shocks on selected global supply chains. It then presents an in-depth analysis of the scope of public-private partnerships to tackle the risks, by empirically exploring supply chain risk effects and information management. Thirdly, it proposes a regional cooperation framework in the context of major supply chain vulnerability events such as disasters and global financial crises.

This book provides several up-to-date empirical policy-oriented studies on assessing the impacts of climate change on various economic sectors and the role of renewable energy resources in mitigating pollution and climate change. It suggests various policy recommendations on how to increase the share of renewable energy resources in the energy baskets of the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the rest of the world to ensure energy sustainability. As of 2020, most of the world's energy investment still went to carbon-emitting sources, namely, fossil fuels. On the other hand, the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic Project Overview 20 March 2021 08:39 Page 6 of 9 downturns shrank the global energy demand, including fossil fuels, resulting in a sharp drop in their prices. Low fossil fuel prices are harmful to developing renewable energy projects, making solar, wind, and other renewable energy resources less competitive as sources of electricity. This is endangering the Paris agreement and the "Climate Action" goal of the United Nations. Given the high share of fossil fuels in the energy mix of the members of ASEAN, tremendous challenges must be faced for their energy transition in the post-Covid-19 world. The authors call for sound policy and applicable technologies to ensure sustainable energy availability, accessibility, and affordability to reach emission reduction targets.

This book combines the fundamentals of industrial organization theories based on microeconomic foundations, applied econometrics and environmental and natural resource economics in undertaking a comprehensive review of reforms of the power sector and its impact on industrial and socio-economic performance. The book provides the reader with the intellectual groundwork necessary for understanding the workings and interactions of today's reforming power markets such as in the ASEAN and East Asia that are striving to achieve the energy policy trilemma of affordability, energy sustainability and energy security. The topics addressed in this book include application of welfare theorems such as competition in and for the market in the electricity sector, market failures such as lack of electricity access, analysis of forecasting models under volatility, energy resource allocation such as renewable energy and competitive market designs of energy markets. Country-specific and region-specific case studies are used to analyze the progress and outcomes of market-driven electricity reforms across the reforming and advanced electricity markets. Therefore, the book derives policy lessons and provides policy recommendations in reforming power markets for the ASEAN and East Asia taking stock of more than three decades of global experience with power sector reforms. The electricity markets case studies are carefully chosen and supported by extensive data analyses as appropriate. This book on energy economics and policy is highly recommended to readers who seek an in-depth and up-to-date integrated overview about the evolving literature and status on electricity market reforms with a particular reference to Asia.

This book assesses the progress in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in ASEAN, India and China using the above framework conditions in the context with three main propositions. First, translating the SDGs into regional economic integration strategies during the pandemic recovery can enhance the link between global objectives and the multifaceted reality of an ASEAN community building process, and providing a strategic option to strengthen the regional approaches. Secondly, a regional approach on complementarities to SDGs can facilitate the definition of relevant targets/indicators and enhance the monitoring and evaluation framework. In so doing it could also offer the scope to integrate more closely ASEAN community's social and environmental concerns into existing economic, social and political frameworks. Thirdly, focusing just on the geo-economic sphere - the area where south east and East Asian economic integration is relatively more advanced - will prove the hypothesis that effective regional integration through mega trade agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) can support the Asia's transformation agenda and foster more inclusive and sustainable growth.