Office of the Chief Economist, East Asia and Pacific

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Services Unbound: Digital Technologies and Policy Reform in East Asia and the Pacific

The dramatic diffusion of digital technologies and partial policy reforms in services are transforming East Asian economies. The result is higher productivity and changing jobs in the services sector, as well as in the manufacturing sectors that use these services. However, a region that has thrived through openness to trade and investment in manufacturing still maintains innovation-inhibiting barriers to entry and competition in key services sectors. Deeper domestic reforms and greater international cooperation could unleash a virtuous cycle of increased economic opportunity and enhanced human capacity that would power development in the region. Read More »

Jobs and Technology: East Asia and Pacific Economic Update October 2024

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Jobs in the Age of AI

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Image How Is AI Transforming Firms Event

How is Artificial Intelligence Transforming Firms?

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Firm Foundations of Growth: EAP Economic Update April 2024

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The Office of the Chief Economist conducts economic analysis and provides guidance on strategic economic priorities in the East Asia and Pacific Region (EAP). This mission is accomplished through a wide-ranging analytical program that takes on new, topical and controversial issues, provides region-wide and cross-sectoral analysis, and addresses the policy priorities of EAP’s fast-growing and diverse economies. The Office also serves as the principal spokesperson inside and outside the Bank on economic issues facing the region.

EAP CHIEF ECONOMIST EVENTS

Global Launch: Jobs and Technology - EAP Economic Update, October 2024
This event and the report presented the new Economic Update Report. The region continues to grow relatively fast, and the benefits are widely shared. But the region also faces challenges.
Conference: Jobs in the Age of AI
How will AI transform the job market? What new skills will workers need? What should be the role for regulation? This event brought together industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers to delve into these questions.
Global Launch: Firm Foundations of Growth - EAP Economic Update, April 2024
This event presented the economic outlook of the region and the importance of firms and productivity for sustained long-term growth.
Conference: How is Artificial Intelligence Transforming Firms?
How is AI being used by firms? What is the impact? What are the impediments to the use of AI? This second conference in our AI in Action Series addressed these questions and more, featuring experts from industry, academia and policy institutions.
Global Launch: Services for Development - EAP Economic Update, October 2023
This event presented the new Economic Update Report. Most economies in developing EAP are continuing to grow, albeit at a slower pace. Digital technologies and policy reforms in the services sector are posed to create opportunities.
Global Launch: Fixing the Foundation
This event presented the new flagship report on basic education in the East Asia and Pacific Region. Empowering teachers, through a combination of training and technology, is key to strengthening basic learning outcomes.