Jakarta, 8 January 2024: President Tetsuya Watanabe welcomed a delegation from Zhejiang University, China, led by Professor Gong Sen, on 8 January 2024. The visit aimed to foster collaboration and exchange ideas on research and capacity-building activities focused on the digital economy, start-up ecosystems, and sustainability in the ASEAN region. Zhejiang University, located in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, is one of China’s leading institutions, renowned for its School of Economics and Management, which conducts cutting-edge research and offers education in economics and management.

During the meeting, President Watanabe and ERIA researchers – including Dr Venkatachalam Anbumozhi, Dr Lili Yan Ing, and Kentaro Machii – engaged in productive discussions with the seven-member Chinese delegation, which included Professor Gong Sen, Xianbin Yao, Lu Jing, Li Jia, Yao Chen, Liu Dantong, and Zhong Zongfu. Key topics included:

• Digital Economy Development in ASEAN:
  The discussions highlighted the current state of digital economy development across ASEAN Member States, identifying challenges and opportunities. The dialogue emphasised areas such as digital infrastructure, digital skills development, and the regulatory frameworks necessary for fostering a robust digital economy.
• Start-up Ecosystems:
  Participants shared insights into creating vibrant start-up ecosystems in ASEAN. Topics included access to funding, mentorship programmes, and policies that encourage start-up growth and innovation.
• Research Collaboration:
  Both ERIA and Zhejiang University expressed strong interest in pursuing joint research. Potential projects could include comparative studies on digital economy advancements in ASEAN, China, the Republic of Korea, and Japan; analysis of the impact of digital technologies across various sectors; and the formulation of policy recommendations to advance smart cities and start-up ecosystems.
• Capacity-Building Initiatives:
  The delegation discussed potential workshops, seminars, and training programmes for policymakers, researchers, and industry professionals. These activities would aim to enhance understanding of digital economy trends and equip stakeholders with the tools to address sustainability challenges and opportunities.

Prof. Gong Sen praised ERIA’s E-DISC initiatives, recognising their importance in promoting regional collaboration. He emphasised the critical role ERIA plays in addressing the challenges and harnessing the opportunities of the digital economy, reaffirming the importance of international partnerships in driving sustainable growth.