Tag: Industry and Trade
Why Regional Trade Matters More Than Ever for Central Asia
In an era of shifting supply chains and rising uncertainty, regional trade offers Central Asia a path to resilience, scale, and growth through deeper integration.
Trade has always shaped how people in Central Asia work, live, and connect with one another across borders. Today, it is no longer just a source of growth, but key to managing risk. Regional trade matters more than ever because global trade has become less predictable, supply chains are being redrawn, digital commerce is outpacing rules and infrastructure, and most countries’ markets are too small to absorb these shocks on their own.
The Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program exists to address these challenges. CAREC is a partnership of 11 countries stretching from Georgia to the People’s Republic of China. The group seeks to make trade, transport, and energy links faster, cheaper, and more reliable, helping them act as a connected market rather than a collection of isolated, mostly landlocked economies.
This matters more than ever: deeper regional trade is now about reducing vulnerability to external shocks by strengthening economic ties within the region.
Today, trade within the group remains limited: in 2024, trade in goods of CAREC countries reached $6.4 trillion, but only 4% of that was traded within the region.
Many CAREC economies face similar challenges: limited domestic markets restrict production capacity, while complex customs processes, technical regulations, and other non-tariff barriers hinder and raise the cost of trade.
Trade itself is changing: cross-border e-commerce, paperless procedures, and data-driven logistics now sit at the heart of competitiveness, making regional digital links as important as physical ones. Digital commerce is racing ahead, but most rules and systems were designed for paper documents and physical borders.
Regional solutions offer ways to tackle problems that are beyond the ability of any one country to resolve. When countries pool markets, they create scale: local producers can sell not just to their own citizens but to tens or hundreds of millions of consumers across the region. When they coordinate transport and border procedures, trucks and trains move faster, firms cut logistics costs, and goods reach shelves more reliably.
Harmonization of customs systems, alignment of standards, and predictability in border procedures together can speed up economic activity and reduce trade costs.
CAREC is strategically located at the intersection of Europe, East Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East. As global supply chains shorten and diversify, the region’s geography, previously seen as a barrier, is becoming an economic asset again.
Over the past 20 years, CAREC member countries have invested in key foundations of regional integration. Modern roads and railways now link previously isolated areas. Since 2001, CAREC has facilitated more than $53.7 billion in investments, with an emphasis on developing multimodal transportation and energy infrastructure, expanding trade, facilitating the movement of people and goods, and establishing the basis for future economic corridors.
Customs agencies are implementing advanced systems. Traders are becoming more knowledgeable about international standards and procedures. The region has established institutions and cooperative practices that were absent two decades ago.
“Regional trade acts as a development multiplier—attracting investment, supporting SMEs, and turning connectivity into jobs and income.”
This progress means that future efforts will not begin from scratch but will build on an established foundation. The region is well positioned to move beyond basic coordination toward deeper, more meaningful integration aimed at cutting trade costs and unlocking new opportunities.
More can now be done to translate this foundation into visible gains. Harmonized regulations and greater predictability encourage investors to support regional manufacturing and logistics centers.
Improved corridor efficiency—such as quicker border crossings or unified digital transit paperwork—leads to cost reductions for both companies and customers. Households benefit from better access to products and more predictable prices, while small and medium-sized enterprises find new opportunities to expand. For CAREC economies with small domestic markets, regional trade acts as a development multiplier—expanding market size, attracting investment, supporting SMEs, and turning connectivity into jobs and income.
CAREC is at a pivotal stage. New regional initiatives like the CAREC Trade and Investment Facilitation Partnership Agreement (CARTIF)—a modern and flexible framework for facilitating trade and investment—demonstrate a commitment to move from discussion to action, directly aiding traders and investors. CARTIF responds to current realities by addressing not only traditional trade facilitation, but also digital trade, investment facilitation, and supply chain connectivity within a single regional framework.
The potential is evident: regional trade goes beyond economic matters—it is also about development. It creates jobs, boosts resilience, and improves the region’s capacity to handle challenges in an increasingly complex global environment. If countries choose to work more closely together, remove barriers, and trust in the strength of shared markets, they can unlock growth that no country could achieve alone.
The world is changing fast, and uncertainty will continue. So will the possibilities. By embracing deeper cooperation now, CAREC countries can turn their geography into an advantage, challenges into collective progress, and build a future where the region is not merely reacting but actively shaping its own destiny.
CAREC brings together Central Asian countries including Azerbaijan, the People’s Republic of China, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
Mikheil Janelidze
Senior Trade Advisor
Roman Mogilevskii
Senior Economist, ADB Regional Cooperation and Integration Unit, Central and West Asia Department
Zulfia Karimova
Principal Regional Cooperation Specialist, ADB Central and West Asia Department
Reproduced from Asian Development Blog.
Participation in Global Value Chains Is No Longer Enough
Global value chains helped many Asian economies industrialize, but where they sit in the chain now matters more than whether they’re in it at all.
In Asia and the Pacific, a proven strategy for development has been to integrate into global value chains (GVCs)—interconnected networks in which different stages of making a product occur in several locations, often worldwide.
Take electric vehicles, or EVs. Battery materials such as lithium may be mined in Australia; nickel in Indonesia; cobalt and graphite could be from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). After being processed and refined—possibly elsewhere—these may end up in batteries made in the Republic of Korea or Japan. Semiconductors and electronics come from a handful of specialized producers, such as Malaysia and Republic of Korea. Vehicle assembly happens in more places. The PRC, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Viet Nam are considered the region’s major assemblers. India, Japan, and Singapore are seen as major hubs for research and development (R&D).
Entering global trade by specializing in specific production tasks within interlinked global manufacturing networks has in the past led to industrialization, productivity growth, and large reductions in poverty for many economies in the region. In recent decades, however, some have joined GVCs but remained concentrated in low-value activities, capturing little of the additional value being created along the production chain, even if they are making more of each item.
The EV chain depicts this. Mining, basic processing, and vehicle assembly tend to generate lower and more volatile returns. While R&D, manufacturing advanced components such as semiconductors, and system integration generate the highest returns. This entails unequal value capture among EV value chain participants.
Even resource-rich economies face this challenge. Having lithium or nickel provides an entry point to participate in EV production but is no guarantee of transitioning from a low-value to a high-value network. Moving from extraction into refining, then into battery components, and eventually into technology-intensive segments requires sustained investment, coordination, and learning. Indonesia, for example, has tried to accelerate this shift by restricting raw material exports and encouraging processing and battery production domestically. This strategy highlights how difficult upgrading is in practice. Without strong domestic capabilities and linkages, sustainable development remains elusive for those in lower-value tasks.
This also reflects how latecomers must overcome greater challenges to catch up. Once capabilities and production networks are established, they tend to reinforce themselves. Suppliers cluster around lead firms, while skills deepen and innovation builds on existing knowledge.
“Where an economy sits in a value chain matters more than whether it participates at all.”
GVCs build on pre-existing industrial and technological capabilities. Early and successful entrants tend to create strong first-mover advantages. Those with established strengths in electronics, chemicals, or auto manufacturing could extend and adapt these capabilities into EVs. They already had skilled workers, supplier networks, research capacity, and ability to scale—widening the gap from those who are still attempting to enter.
At the same time, the global environment is becoming less supportive of traditional upgrading paths, such as shifting from manufacturing low-end to high-end products. Automation is already reducing the role of low-cost labor in EV manufacturing. Intangible assets, including battery technology and software, account for the largest share of EV value. Geopolitical tensions are another key factor, with major economies seeking to secure control over critical minerals and other inputs.
So, what does this mean for development strategy?
First, the focus must shift from participation to positioning. Where an economy sits in a value chain matters more than whether it participates at all. In EVs, supplying critical inputs or advanced components offers greater potential than basic assembly. Identifying and targeting these positions—based on existing capabilities and realistic opportunities—is essential.
Second, upgrading must become the central objective from the outset. Upgrading requires deliberate and sustained effort. This includes improving production processes, moving into more sophisticated products, taking on new functions such as design or engineering, and applying capabilities across industries. In the EV chain, this might mean linking mineral extraction to domestic processing and cell manufacturing; building capabilities in key battery inputs such as cathode materials, anodes, and battery management systems; or developing specialized niches such as electric two‑wheelers or fleet vehicles.
Third, economies need to invest in capability ecosystems. The most successful GVC participants are those with strong skills, innovation systems, supplier networks, and institutions that support learning and coordination. These ecosystems allow firms to absorb new technologies, meet demanding standards, and gradually upgrade.
Finally, economies should focus on specific segments of a GVC, where entry barriers are manageable and upgrading is feasible. This involves partnerships with foreign firms, regional cooperation, or targeted industrial policies that support capability building.
Capturing a greater share of created value is imperative. To do so, joining production networks or global value chains is the necessary first step, but staying put is no longer enough.
Ana Kristel Molina-Lapid
ADB Associate Economics Officer, Economic Research and Development Impact Department
Neil Foster-McGregor
ADB Principal Economist, Economic Research and Development Impact Department
Reproduced from Asian Development Blog.
ADB and Yaodou Sign Loan to Expand Out-of-Hospital Pharmaceutical Distribution in the PRC
BEIJING, PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (27 January 2026) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a CNY141.4 million (equivalent to $20 million) senior secured loan with Zhejiang Xinghan Bona Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd (Yaodou) to support the distribution of pharmaceuticals in the out-of-hospital segment in the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
The financing will provide Yaodou with essential working capital to expand pharmaceutical distribution in the out-of-hospital segment, comprising pharmacies and community health centers. Strengthening this segment will improve the availability of medicines beyond hospital dispensaries and help patients access essential treatments more conveniently and safely.
“The year 2026 marks 40 years of partnership between ADB and the PRC, a partnership that has continually evolved to address the country’s development priorities,” said ADB Country Director for PRC Asif Cheema. “The Yaodou project highlights ADB’s support for the PRC’s private sector development while strengthening health security.”
The out-of-hospital pharmaceutical market in the PRC is growing rapidly but remains highly fragmented. In 2024, pharmacies and community health centers accounted for 41.9% of pharmaceutical sales across a network of more than 1.7 million outlets. These facilities often face challenges, including small order sizes, high purchase frequency, and a complex landscape of intermediaries—all of which contribute to supply chain inefficiencies and uneven medicine availability.
“Yaodou’s mission is to fulfill the pharmaceutical needs of ordinary people,” said Yaodou Chief Executive Officer Qiu Zhongxun. “ADB’s loan will allow us to scale our inventory, strengthen our supply chain with upstream suppliers and downstream buyers, and expand our product offerings, particularly medicines for the elderly and for treating communicable diseases.”
Established in 2014, Yaodou is a pharmaceutical distributor focused on the out-of-hospital segment. The company delivers medical and pharmaceutical products, including a strong portfolio that addresses chronic diseases, aging related conditions, and common communicable illnesses. Yaodou distributes the majority of its products in inland provinces, including central and southern regions of the PRC, where access to reliable health care services is crucial.
ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—50 from the region.
Reproduced from ADB.org.
MCDF Connectivity Investment Conference on Green and Efficient Ports
The conference organized in Beijing on 3-5 December 2025, aims to explore port sector trends, case studies, lessons learned, and cutting-edge solutions to pressing challenges in the areas of sustainability, digital transformation, operational efficiency, and financing. Around 120 participants from 19 developing countries engaged in active discussions, presented challenges in green port standards, digitalization, and legislation they have been addressing and received practical feedback.
RKSI supported representatives from ADB introduced the Green Ports Toolkit Development, and shared the experiences from ADB’s Anhui Province Green Port and Shipping Demonstration Project.
ADB Supports Green Port and Shipping Development in Anhui Province, PRC
BEIJING, PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (1 December 2025) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a loan of CNY755.64 million ($106.05 million equivalent) to support the development of green, smart, and resilient inland river ports and clean-energy shipping in Anhui Province of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
The Anhui Province Green Port and Shipping Demonstration Project will help transform the local port and shipping sector into a more sustainable and digitally advanced model. The project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance resilience to extreme weather events, and strengthen logistics connectivity to support inclusive and sustainable economic growth. It will directly benefit an estimated 1.17 million residents—including women, low-income groups, and persons with disabilities—through improved transport efficiency, reduced logistics costs, and increased employment opportunities.
“This project demonstrates the powerful impact of integrating low-carbon transport with smart and green port development,” said ADB Country Director for the PRC Asif Cheema. “Aligned with both the country’s goal for high-quality, low-carbon development and ADB’s country partnership strategy for the PRC, 2021–2025, the project will contribute to regional and global public goods, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions and more sustainable logistics systems.”
Anhui’s rapid industrial growth, including its booming electric vehicle sector, has boosted freight demand. However, inland waterways and ports face capacity constraints, diesel vessel dominance, and climate hazards—such as flooding and extreme storms—that threaten service continuity. These challenges increase logistics costs, raise emissions, and heighten the vulnerability of riverside communities.
To address these issues, the project will construct green and climate-resilient inland river ports equipped with energy-efficient loading facilities, smart port operation systems, and robust flood protection mechanisms. Clean-fuel container vessels will replace diesel-powered ships and pilot green shipping routes connecting key logistics hubs. The project will enhance emergency preparedness and promote gender-inclusive employment in port operations, with women expected to fill at least 15% of skilled positions.
The project will further strengthen institutional capacity through studies on expanding the use of clean and alternative fuels. It will develop green and smart port management guidelines and deliver targeted training on climate resilience and sustainable finance. It will also share knowledge generated with other provinces and ADB developing member countries to promote low-carbon inland waterway transport and green port development.
ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—50 from the region.
Reproduced from ADB.org.
Improving Kazakhstan and Kyrgyz Republic’s Cross-Border Trade with the People’s Republic of China
Overview
Trade between Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has traditionally been viewed through the lens of high-level agreements and major industries. However, a closer look highlights the crucial role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as the driving force behind this trade.
While traditional cross-border commerce remains dominant, the growth of e-commerce has introduced both opportunities and challenges for SMEs. Given their substantial contributions to gross domestic product—36.5% in Kazakhstan and 43.3% in Kyrgyz Republic—these businesses are well-positioned to capitalize on expanding trade with the PRC. As a global leader in cross-border e-commerce, PRC has significantly influenced these evolving trade dynamics.
A study published by the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC)[1] Institute analyzes the key drivers of trade between Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, and the PRC from the perspective of businesspeople. Special attention is given to the role of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in this trade, considering its historical, cultural, religious, and ethnic ties with Kazakhstan and Kyrgyz Republic.
Trade Strategies with PRC
Qualitative interviews with entrepreneurs from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyz Republic involved in cross-border trade with the PRC revealed that Central Asian companies use five strategies in their trade with the PRC:
- Direct trade with Xinjiang: Given its geographical proximity and established trade infrastructure, Xinjiang serves as a key hub for direct trade. In addition, many of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyz Republic’s businesspeople have relatives in Xinjiang who assist in sourcing Chinese commodities and coordinate the smooth transfer of goods. These companies frequently engage in cross-border transactions with Xinjiang-based suppliers and distributors, leveraging cultural, regional and economical possibilities. Kazakhstani citizens can also travel visa-free to the PRC for 30 days, so they visit Xinjiang anytime to find suppliers, contacts, etc.
- Direct trade with southern PRC regions: Some companies extend their trade networks to southern PRC, particularly Guangdong and Zhejiang provinces, which are known for manufacturing hubs and export-oriented industries. They also do business in Guangzhou and Shanghai. This strategy allows access to a broader range of products, factories, and competitive pricing, though it often requires more logistical coordination and higher transportation costs.
- Orders from Chinese marketplaces: Electronic commerce platforms have become increasingly popular among Central Asian SMEs. These marketplaces enable businesses to source goods directly from Chinese manufacturers and wholesalers, often at lower costs. However, this strategy requires familiarity with digital tools, knowledge of the Chinese language, and reliable payment and logistics solutions.
- Repurchase from local companies: Some businesses opt to source Chinese goods indirectly by purchasing from local intermediaries or distributors, who have already imported products from the PRC at a low price and in large quantities. Small shops that sell clothes, footwear, fabrics, and other items purchase commodities from local warehouses. This reduces the complexity of cross-border trade but may result in higher costs due to added margins.
- Utilization of the Khorgos Free Economic Zone (FEZ): The Khorgos FEZ, located on the Kazakhstan–PRC border, serves as a critical trade and logistics hub. SMEs use the economic zone to streamline customs procedures, reduce tariffs, and facilitate the storage and re-export of goods. SMEs purchase commodities at a cheaper price and re-sell on the local market and/or trade centers. This strategy is advantageous for businesses looking to minimize costs and enhance efficiency in cross-border trade.
The adoption of these strategies depends on the company’s size, industry, and access to resources. Larger firms with greater financial and logistical capabilities are more likely to diversify their approaches to maximize their competitive advantage by combining direct trade with factories and e-commerce. In contrast, smaller SMEs may focus on one or two strategies due to resource constraints, often relying on intermediaries or localized trade networks. This strategic diversity highlights the adaptability of Central Asian businesses in navigating the complexities of trade with the PRC.
Challenges
Lack of interest in factories. Businesses in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyz Republic show little interest in Urumqi’s (northwestern PRC) factories, which produce limited goods. Entrepreneurs who come to Urumqi deal with companies’ representatives operating from warehouses near wholesale bazaars. The product range presented by these companies is usually limited and delivered to Urumqi at a higher price. For Central Asian entrepreneurs who have only started doing their businesses in Urumqi, local representatives (local Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and Kyrgyz, known as pomogaiki) provide services such as supplier searches, translation, and negotiations, and charge 100–200 yuan per day or take a 20% commission on purchases.
High markups. Majority of goods delivered to Central Asian markets from the PRC, have a substantial markup, several times higher than the original price charged by the supplier. For example, fabrics at Madina Bazaar in Kyrgyz Republic’s capital, Bishkek, pass through multiple resale stages. This supply chain can involve 5–7 markups. Re-branding and reselling are common not just in textiles but also in other sectors, including equipment, home products, and furniture.
Regulatory barriers. Despite efforts to export local products to the PRC, stringent certification, licensing, and laboratory requirements remain as major obstacles. Attempts of companies in Kyrgyz Republic to sell camel milk, nuts, dried fruits, and licorice on an e-commerce platform have largely been unsuccessful due to certification challenges and unmet volume requirements.
Need for intermediaries. To ensure quality of goods, Central Asian businesses hire intermediaries in the PRC to negotiate and inspect orders, with fees reaching up to 20% of the contract value. Finding reliable intermediaries can be challenging due to market competition and the risk of fraud.
High order volumes. Working with businesses in southern PRC regions is feasible mainly for medium and large enterprises due to high financial commitments, with fabrics are sold in wholesale quantities, far beyond most Kyrgyz Republic producers’ needs. Kyrgyz manufacturers prefer smaller purchases to test the market, avoiding the risk of unsold inventory.
Opportunities
Affordability for SMEs. Trade with Xinjiang is well suited for small-scale businesses. Kyrgyz Republic’s shop owners use industry contacts to send images of needed goods via an app; negotiate prices, quantities, and delivery dates with Urumqi suppliers; and arrange shipments. Transactions are fast and convenient, allowing them to order small quantities to test market demand. If demand grows and funds are available, they can explore other sourcing and delivery channels.
PRC–Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway. Kyrgyz Republic’s business sector is optimistic about the PRC–Kyrgyz Republic–Uzbekistan railway, especially as it passes through Torugart, a key border crossing. Located near this crossing, Naryn’s Free Economic Zone offers significant opportunities and has the potential to become a logistics and trade hub similar to Khorgos. This would enable businesses to buy Chinese goods and resell them locally at higher profits.
Unlike Khorgos, which is unpopular due to poor infrastructure and unfavorable and unprofitable conditions, Naryn’s duty-free zone is expected to be well received, boosting regional development. Kashgar’s Free Trade Zone in Xinjiang will supply goods like fabrics and fittings, reducing logistics costs and enhancing cooperation. However, development of the railway and Naryn’s FEZ may divert to Kazakhstan trade routes currently passing through Khorgos in Kyrgyz Republic.
Installment payments. Paying sellers in Xinjiang in installments makes it convenient for buyers in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyz Republic to do business. Most transactions occur informally through local intermediaries, who confirm payments with Chinese partners.
Positioning beyond trade. Enhancing Khorgos’ appeal as a shopping and sightseeing destination could attract more visitors and diversify revenue streams. Positioning the free economic zone as a regional trade and cultural exchange hub could strengthen its importance in Central Asia.
Policy Recommendations
The proposed policy actions may guide policymakers, trade facilitators, and business stakeholders seeking to improve the cross-border trade of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyz Republic with the PRC.
- Introduce a visa-free regime. Kyrgyz Republic and the PRC can negotiate bilateral agreements to facilitate the travel of citizens between these countries.
- Improve trade and E- commerce data collection and accessibility. National statistics authorities can publish standardized country-level cross-border trade and e-commerce trade statistics regularly.
- Raise business awareness. Business and regional trade associations can organize trade forums and workshops and create online platforms and guidebooks to highlight trade regulations, procedures, and opportunities in the PRC, specifically in the Xinjiang region.
- Foster SME participation in global online marketplaces. Relevant government offices can provide training and certification for SMEs to meet Chinese and international e-commerce standards. They can also invest in high-speed internet and mobile connectivity, as well as develop clear and supportive legal frameworks for e-commerce.
- Simplify trade and customs procedures. Relevant government offices can harmonize procedures with the PRC by aligning customs regulations and standards, and reduce complexity in tax regulations for cross-border trade, especially for SMEs. They can also create digital platforms for real-time foreign exchange transactions and hedging services.
While challenges, such as regulatory barriers, logistical bottlenecks, and competition persist, opportunities arising from regional integration, e-commerce, and infrastructure development offer significant potential for growth for Kazakhstan and Kyrgyz Republic’s cross-border trade with the PRC.
Zalina Enikeeva
Research Fellow, Institute of Public Policy and Administration, University of Central Asia
This article was first published on Development Asia.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Asian Development Bank, its management, its Board of Directors, or its members.
Finance and Technologies for Grassland Ecosystem Restoration
Grasslands are vital ecosystems for both Mongolia and the People’s Republic of China (PRC), supporting biodiversity, climate regulation, and the livelihoods of pastoral communities. However, both countries face increasing pressures from land degradation, desertification, and climate change.
The PRC has implemented a range of large-scale restoration initiatives and ecological compensation schemes, alongside community-based conservation and development practices. These combined top-down and bottom-up approaches have achieved measurable improvements in vegetation cover, ecosystem resilience, and rural incomes. Meanwhile, Mongolia is advancing national strategies through its National Adaptation Plan and investment programs such as the Aimag and Soum Green Regional Economic Development Program, emphasizing grassland ecosystem restoration and sustainable livelihood development for herding communities.
The seminar, held in conjunction with the visit of a high-level Mongolian government delegation to the PRC, aims to deepen knowledge exchange on effective supportive policies, financial mechanisms, and technologies for grassland restoration and sustainable pastoral management. Discussions will draw on lessons from the PRC’s experience at national and subnational levels and explore opportunities for continued knowledge sharing and collaboration.
The delegation visit and seminar are supported by the ADB–PRC Regional Knowledge Sharing Initiative (RKSI), a South–South platform co-hosted by the Ministry of Finance of the PRC and ADB to facilitate knowledge exchange among ADB’s developing member countries. Under RKSI’s umbrella, the Talk China Seminar Series convenes experts and decision-makers to engage on urgent development themes.
Language: Chinese, Mongolian, English (Chinese-Mongolian and Chinese-English interpretation will be provided)
| Date/Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 08:30-08:40 | Welcome remarks Mr. Asif S. Cheema, Country Director, ADB PRC Resident Mission |
| 08:40-08:50 | Sharing I: Green finance to support grassland restoration and management Ms. Yan Wang, Director, Green Finance Division, Research Bureau of the People’s Bank of China (TBC) |
| 08:50-09:00 | Sharing II: Ecological rangeland management Ms. Keyu Bai, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences |
| 09:00-09:10 | Sharing III: Ecosystem valuation: eco-compensation mechanisms, gross environment product (GEP), and natural capital Mr. Au Shion Yee, ADB Principal Water Resources Specialist |
| 09:10-09:20 | Sharing IV: Carbon market development and grassland carbon credits Mr. Zhi Cheng, Chief Engineer, Ningxia CDM Service Center |
| 09:20-09:30 | Sharing V: Social capital mobilization for desertification control Ms. Jing Sun, Director of Desertification Prevention and Control, Society of Entrepreneurs and Ecology (SEE) Foundation |
| 09:30-10:30 | Discussions Facilitated by Mr. Aiming Zhou, Deputy Country Director, ADB PRC Resident Mission |
| 10:30-10:40 | Closing remarks
|
East Asia Forum 2025 and Talk China Seminar
ADB’s East Asia Forum (EAF) is an annual event organized by the East Asia Department (EARD) of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The forum aims to share lessons from ADB’s operations and knowledge work in East Asia—with special emphasis on the People’s Republic of China (PRC)—with a wider audience. In the spirit of South-South learning, the EAF facilitates the exchange of ideas and practices among key stakeholders in Asia and the Pacific. It is supported by EARD-administered technical assistance and various funding sources, including the People’s Republic of China’s Poverty Reduction and Regional Cooperation Fund (PRCF).
The East Asia Forum 2025, with the theme “Advancing High-Quality Development in East Asia: Productivity, Innovation, and Economic Openness,” aims to:
- Share knowledge and good practices from East Asia on enhancing productivity, driving innovation, and promoting economic openness, notably in the service sector.
- Discuss key trends in achieving high-quality economic development.
- Explore innovative practices, policies, and technologies to increase productivity, encourage innovation, and further open economic sectors.
- Encourage replication of successful experiences from the PRC and other East Asian economies across other ADB members.
The ADB–PRC Regional Knowledge Sharing Initiative (RKSI) is a South–South platform jointly established by the Ministry of Finance of the PRC and ADB to promote development knowledge exchange among ADB’s developing member countries. As part of its efforts, RKSI organizes the Talk China Seminar Series, a quarterly event that brings together experts and policymakers to explore pressing development issues. The upcoming session- the third in the series- will focus on harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) for high-quality development, featuring expert discussions and field visits to AI sites in Beijing.
Venue: Kerry Hotel, Beijing
Agenda
| Date/Time | Session | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:30-9:00 | Registration | ||
| 9:00-9:30 | Welcome Remarks Scott Morris, Vice-President (East and Southeast Asia, and the Pacific), Asian Development Bank (ADB) Distinguished Guest Speaker Liao Min, Vice Minister of Finance, People’s Republic of China | ||
| 9:30-9:35 | Photo Session | ||
| 9:35-9:50 | Setting the Stage: Enhancing Productivity and Openness in East Asia and Beyond Chong-En Bai, Dean of the School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University | ||
| 9:50-10:20 | Coffee/Tea Break | ||
| 10:20-12:40 | Session 1: Boosting Productivity through Competition and Innovation: Experience from the PRC and Other Countries Presentation 1: Boosting Total Factor Productivity through Competition and Innovation: Experience of the PRC Bert Hofman, National University of Singapore, former Country Director of World Bank, PRC, and former Chief Economist for the World Bank in the East Asia and Pacific region Presentation 2: Australia’s Experience in Boosting Productivity and Competitiveness Catie Bradbear, Assistant Commissioner, Australian Productivity Commission Panel Discussion Moderator: Scott Morris, Vice-President (East and Southeast Asia, and the Pacific), ADB Panelists:
Q and A | ||
| 12:40-2:30 | Lunch break | ||
| 2:30-4:30 | Session 2: Expanding Economic Openness and Service Sector Liberalization in the PRC and Experience from Other Countries Presentation 1: Shamshad Akhtar, Chairperson of Board of Directors for Pakistan Stock Exchange; former Minister of Finance, Government of Pakistan; former Executive Secretary of UNESCAP Presentation 2: Opening the PRC’s Services Industry for Innovative and Shared Development Hildegunn Kyvik Nordås, Visiting Professor, Örebro University, Sweden; Senior Associate, Council on Economic Policies, Switzerland Panel Discussion Moderator: Justine Diokno-Sicat, Alternate Executive Director, ADB Panelists:
Q and A | ||
| 4:30-4:45 | Closing Remarks Shu Zhan, Alternate Executive Director, ADB | ||
| 4:45 onwards | Networking Reception |
| Date/Time | Session | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00-9:10 | Opening Remarks Muhammad Ehsan Khan, Director General, East Asia Department, ADB Zhan Shu, Alternate Executive Director, ADB | ||
| 9:10-10:10 | Session 1: What Experiences from the PRC Can be Learned and Replicated in the Region Presentation: Promoting AI Applications for High-Quality Development in the PRC Tongning Wu, Deputy Director Artificial Intelligence Research Institute China Academy of Information and Communications Technology Panel Discussion: Moderator: Aiming Zhou, Deputy Country Director, ADB PRC Resident Mission Panelists
| ||
| 10:10-10:30 | Tea Break | ||
| 10:30-11:30 | Session 2: How ADB Can Support DMCs with AI Application to Promote High-Quality Development Presentation: ADB’s Role in Promoting AI Application in the Region Albert Park, Chief Economist and Director General, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, ADB Panel Discussion: Moderator: Bobur Alimov, Advisor, EARD, ADB Panelists:
Q and A | ||
| 11:30-13:00 | Lunch break | ||
| 13:00-14:00 | Departure from the Kerry Hotel for site visit | ||
| 14:00-16:30 | Site visit: Beijing Innovation Center of Humanoid Robotics, Beijing High-level Autonomous Driving Demonstration (BJHAD) Zone Innovation and Operation Center, to experience the WeRide Autonomous Bus. | ||
| 16:30-17:30 | Return to the hotel |
