Unpacking the RCEP Agreement: Public-Private Dialogue Series #3

Programmes

As a leading international research organization, ERIA is actively conducting quality research on numerous issues. With its partnership network of organizations and strong relations with governments in the region, ERIA is well positioned to support regional initiatives for sustainable growth and quality of life for the people in ASEAN and East Asia

Events

Date	Event
6 May 2025	E-DISC Innovate Bridge

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Unpacking the RCEP Agreement: Public-Private Dialogue Series #3 - Trade in Services

Completed

Unpacking the RCEP Agreement: Public-Private Dialogue Series - Dialogue #3

ERIA’s Capacity Building Programme is organising a series of five Public-Private Dialogues, 'Unpacking the RCEP Agreement'. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) marks the establishment of a free trade agreement amongst the 15 member states. RCEP will create new business opportunities and change the shape of trade in the region. Dialogue 3 will discuss the ‘Trade in Services’ and how it will also facilitate the cross-border trade and speeds up delivery amongst RCEP participating countries.

With Trade in Services, RCEP will opens up services amongst member countries for professional services for instance telecommunications and financial services. There will also be mutual recognition of professional qualifications, with obligations and frameworks for increased cooperation. This sector has also become the largest recipient of the inflow for foreign direct investment (FDI) across ASEAN Member States (AMS) over the past 15 years with 38% to 69% contribution of gross domestic product (GD) of AMS. Glean insights with us to unlock its utmost potential of how RCEP could leverage the growth of trade in services in Cambodia.

9:00 – 9:10	Opening Remarks: Mr Jeremy Gross, Director of Capacity Building, ERIA H.E. Sim Sokheng, Secretary of State, Ministry of Commerce, Cambodia
9:10 - 09:40	Session 1: Setting the scene: The RCEP Trade in Services Provisions Moderator: Mr Sven Callebaut, International Trade Consultant, CBP, ERIA Presenters: Ms Deborah Elms, Executive Director, Asian Trade Center Mr Clint O’Connell, Partner and Head of Tax and Customs, DFDL Q&A with the audience. This session will provide a precise description of what the RCEP provisions are and whether Cambodia’s legal and regulatory system is ready for the trade in services.
09:40 – 11:00	Session 2: Private Sector Perspectives on Opportunities for Cambodia in RCEP Moderator: Mr Sven Callebaut, International Trade Consultant, CBP, ERIA Mr Kay Lot, Entrepreneur, Business Owner Ms Phurik Ratana, Private Sector and Investment Specialist Mr Harrison White, CEO, CIR Media Mr Ashley Irving, Principal, IDP Cambodia, Vice-President Auscham Cambodia Q&A with the audience. This session will enable different business interests to assess their level of preparedness and understanding of how the RCEP trade in services could be a game changer in the services industry.
11:00 -11:15	Session 3: Summary of discussions and key items of a continued Public-Private Dialogue on Trade in Services HE Sok Siphana, Senior Adviser to the Royal Government of Cambodia Q&A with the audience.
11:15 – 11:30	Closing remarks by MoC and ERIA