Bandar Seri Begawan - 11 October, 2013: The leaders attending the 8th East Asia Summit (EAS) called on the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) to continue its extensive research activities to promote economic integration of ASEAN and East Asia.

The Chairman's Statement of the 8th EAS issued today welcomed the Jakarta-based international research organization for its multidimensional works related to small and medium-size enterprise, energy, connectivity, trade and economics and the Myanmar Comprehensive Development Vision. The East Asian Countries' Leaders also welcomed the Statement of ERIA's 6th Governing Board Meeting issued on 4 May 2013, which expressed ERIA's strong will to formulate effective region-wide policy recommendations to achieve greater connectivity and to address the global issues, and anticipates closer communication with policy makers.

The EAS leaders also took note of ERIA's strong determination to assist region-wide efforts to tackle global economic issues including the connectivity issue in EAS countries. In all ERIA research activities, clear recommendations for policy makers are included.The ERIA's annual review of the CADP (Comprehensive Asia Development Plan) and the Outcomes and Recommendation of the UOB-ERIA-Harvard Symposium held on 14 September were distributed at the East Asia Summit.

"ERIA will continue to provide valuable inputs to accelerate the economic integration of ASEAN and East Asia," commented Prof Hidetoshi Nishimura, Executive Director of ERIA. Prof. Nishimura also reiterated that ERIA will work closely with the new ASEAN Chair, Myanmar, which will take up the leading role in ASEAN in January.Myanmar has already asked ERIA for assistance in capacity-building in various areas related to the ASEAN Economic Community. This year, the Capacity Building Program in Myanmar includes the one day seminar focusing on the PPP and three day seminar focusing on RCEP, SME, competition law, consumer protection, and IPR. The Program supporting Myanmar have been conducting since 2008.