Key skills and expertise

With 39 years of experience, the expert is a seasoned economist specializing in trade, investment, and regional economic integration. Career highlights include leadership roles such as Lead Economist at the Asian Development Bank, where responsibilities included developing the International Trade stream and leading strategic vision projects for Cambodia. The expert's project experience spans both local and international initiatives, resulting in the authorship and editing of over 15 books and 75 peer-reviewed articles. Recognized for exceptional work performance, the expert also serves on editorial boards of prominent economic journals, demonstrating a strong commitment to research and policy advisory.

Project experience and donor exposure

Worked across diverse projects involving collaboration with international donors such as the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, UNDP, and the International Labour Organization. The expert's involvement encompasses project implementation, technical assistance, and policy advisory roles. Thematic areas covered include trade, economic integration, and infrastructure development, with impacts at both regional and national levels, particularly in Southeast Asia and the Mekong region.

Sectors and geographic focus

Background includes positions across key sectors such as financial services and audit, research and innovation, social development, and non-specialized goods and services. Previously held roles such as Lead Economist at the Asian Development Bank, focusing on trade and regional cooperation. The expert's interdisciplinary expertise includes economic modeling and regional economic integration, with particular emphasis on trade and investment. Geographic experience is extensive in Southeast Asia, particularly in Singapore, Cambodia, and the Philippines, where the expert has engaged in regional economic integration and development projects. Long-term assignments in Manila and advisory roles in Cambodia underscore deep familiarity with local governance and regional development issues. Additionally, academic roles in Australia and consulting work across Asia highlight a broad understanding of cultural and economic dynamics in these regions.

Languages and education

Bringing over extensive work in international settings, the expert possesses full professional proficiency in English, demonstrated through contributions to academic publications and journals. Additionally, proficiency in Malay/Indonesian has been utilized in regional economic projects and collaborations within Southeast Asia. The expert holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Melbourne, Australia, with a thesis on exchange rates and prices. Also earned is a Master of Commerce in Economics from the same institution, focusing on international trade theory and monetary economics. Additionally, a Bachelor of Economics with Honours (First Class) was completed at La Trobe University, Melbourne. The academic background is deeply rooted in economics, with a strong emphasis on trade, macroeconomics, and economic modeling.