Sithanonxay Suvannaphakdy (PhD) is an economist with more than seven years research experience in regional economic integration, economic development, and public administration. His career has focused on research and project management in trade, economic development and sustainable development programs. These cover multiple scales including project, program, national and regional scales. He works extensively with the private sector, public sector, bilateral development agencies and multilateral financial institutions.
Since January 2020, he has served as a Lead Researcher at the ASEAN Studies Centre, ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, where he undertakes policy-oriented research on ASEAN’s economic integration with particular focus on ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).
ASEAN has been unable to take full advantage of the rapid growth of electronic commerce, given uneven levels of openness in data flows within and across the region. Strengthening domestic and regional regulations in this sector will unleash the region’s potential to help its post-pandemic recovery.
China’s membership in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the prospect of its accession to the CPTPP further increase China’s role in supporting the rules-based multilateral system to which the U.S. is making a steady but selective comeback.
The State of Southeast Asia survey finds that, on balance, a majority of Southeast Asians view Chinese CPTPP membership positively, for the world economy and for China. 53.2 per cent of ASEAN respondents perceive that having China in the CPTPP will provide economic benefits to China, the United States, and other CPTPP partners.
The new Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus could impact trade in goods and services in ASEAN economies due to increased travel restrictions and the risk of more lockdowns.
