PF – ISAS Collaborative webinar session 1 - Sri Lanka's potential accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) – March 2024
Events
The Pathfinder Foundation, in collaboration with the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS) of the National University of Singapore, hosted a webinar that focused on Sri Lanka's potential accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
This half-day event, entitled "Sri Lanka's Accession to RCEP: Opportunities and Challenges – Learnings from Current Member Countries," drew participation from over 100 delegates representing a broad spectrum of countries, including Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, India, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, UAE, and the US.
The webinar commenced with introductory remarks from notable figures such as Ambassador (Retd.) Bernard Goonetilleke, Chairman of the Pathfinder Foundation, Dr. Iqbal Singh Sevea, Director of ISAS, and Mr. Ajith D. Perera, representing APTA-CCI. It featured in-depth discussions led by Dr. Dayaratna Silva, Executive Director of the Pathfinder Foundation, who outlined the essence and development of RCEP, and Dr. R.H.S. Samarathunga, former Secretary to the Ministry of Finance who is currently functioning as Senior Presidential Advisor on Economic Affairs, who explained the Sri Lankan government’s motivations for seeking membership.
A dynamic panel discussion moderated by Dr. Amitendu Palit, Senior Research Fellow at ISAS, included diverse perspectives from Dr. Mohammad Masudur Rahman of New Zealand, Mr. K.A. Vimalenthirarajah from Sri Lanka, Mr. Wang Yanguo from China, and Mr. Phouxay Thepphavong representing the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The panellists shared insights into the trade opportunities and challenges within the RCEP framework, enhancing the Dialogue with their unique experiences.
The session concluded with an interactive discussion and closing remarks by Dr. Palit and Dr. Silva, setting the stage for future talks to foster a deeper understanding of regional trade dynamics and integration. This webinar marks the beginning of a series intended to enhance cooperation and insight among RCEP stakeholders, paving the way for future engagements that will continue to explore and discuss the complexities of economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region.
