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LKI was fortunate to have Dr. Ganeshan Wignaraja, Advisor in the Office of the Chief Economist of the Asian Development Bank in Manila, present at a LKI foreign policy round table on ‘Asia’s Trade Slowdown: Implications for Sri Lanka.’

Dr. Wignaraja shared his views on the changing patterns of trade and global value chains in post-crisis Asia. His presentation compared and contrasted trade patterns during pre and post-crisis periods, focusing on export growth during these periods. He mapped and explained the export slowdown, and considered several implications for Sri Lanka, including new opportunities in trade.

The presentation was followed by an engaging discussion on topics ranging from the share of the services sector in total exports, pre and post-crisis trade patterns and the contribution of SMEs and large firms to supply chain trade in Asia.

This LKI foreign policy round table brought together a wide spectrum of senior policymakers and experts, including the Hon. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Harsha de Silva, and officials of the Ministries of Finance, National Policy and Economic Affairs, Industry and Commerce, and Development Strategies and International Trade. Representatives from the Board of Investment, Department of Commerce, the Prime Minister’s Office, Asian Development Bank, the Harvard Center for International Development, and leading think tanks and private sector companies also contributed to the discussion.

Click here for the key takeaways of the round table.

Photos: Fluke, by Ruvin de Silva

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