International trade has been instrumental to rapid economic growth and poverty reduction in Asia and the Pacific, but its benefits are not always shared equitably amongst all segments of the economy. How can international trade promote inclusive growth and empowerment?

By actively pursuing participation of women and the growing youth population in trade-related activities; facilitating the integration of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises into regional value chains and global trade, and promoting inclusive industrial development by broadening trade for the services and rural economy, according to the Asian Development Bank’s new report Promoting empowerment through aid for trade. In this panel, experts discussed key findings from the report.

This event was part of the 2019 Australasian Aid Conference.

Chair: Dr Bambang Susantono is Vice President of Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development at the Asian Development Bank.

Presenter: Dr Cyn-Young Park is Director of Regional Cooperation and Integration at the Economics and Research Department, Asian Development Bank.

Discussants:
- Dr Shishir Priyadarshi is Director of the Development Division at the World Trade Organisation.
- Dr Yixiao Zhou is a Research Fellow at ANU.
- Kim Debenham is Assistant Secretary of the Multilateral Trade Policy Branch at DFAT.
- Ellen Wong is Senior Advisor for the Social Entrepreneurship and Economic Development Unit at World Vision.

This session was generously supported by the Asian Development Bank.

Date: Monday 18 February 2019
Time: 4.30PM–6.00PM
Venue: Barton Lecture Theatre, #132 JG Crawford Building, ANU
More information: (https://crawford.anu.edu.au/news-events/events/13617/promoting-empowerme...)