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.

The Retail and Food Services sectors play an important role in Singapore. They add to the vibrancy of the economy and contribute to the social well-being of Singaporeans. At the same time, they are often highlighted and scrutinised for their low productivity performance and high reliance on manpower. There is to date a lack of local literature that addresses the issues faced by the two sectors at the enterprise and worker levels.This timely book includes major topics in services productivity in the Singapore context, with emphasis on Retail and Food Services. Topics covered include the key productivity levers of the services sectors: holistic productivity measurement framework, effective entrepreneurship, manpower management, promotion by social media, marketing, costing process and accounting sophistication. These areas are explored through literature reviews and in-depth interviews with companies and consumers. The chapters also include recommendations for policy makers and industry stakeholders. Written in a simple and accessible manner, this book will serve as an insightful guide to researchers, policy-makers, industry practitioners and enterprises and those who are keen to learn from the Singapore experience.

Singapore's rapid evolution from a modest trading post under colonial rule into a prosperous, self-confident nation is one of the notable success stories of the second half of the 20th century. International trade and investment linkages have been the cornerstones of the city-state's economic success (more than 7 per cent per annum during the period 19702005).

This book offers an overview of the Singapore economy with emphasis on its global trade and investment linkages and policies. It analyzes patterns and policies of Singapore's trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) and discusses issues related to its services sector, focusing on its multilateral and bilateral commitments.

The book will be a good reference source for business executives, journalists, and diplomats, as well as students and academics specializing in Asian studies and economic development.