Laos’ integration into the international economy: the role of production networks, technology and SMEs
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PhD Seminar (Econ)
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The emergence of production sharing has shifted the centre of gravity of trade towards East Asia including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Production networks, measured by components and final assembly exports, made up around 80 per cent of ASEAN manufacturing exports. The region’s engagement in production networks varies by individual countries, reflecting not only their levels of incomes but also differences in technological and institutional capacities. It is such diverse positions of ASEAN economies in regional production sharing that set the stage for this research. It seeks to understand the contributing factors and whether technology plays a significant role. It will also analyse the determinants of production network participation at the firm level focusing on Laos. Thanks to its economic reforms motivated by efforts to integrate into the international economy, Laos has sustained a robust economic growth over the last two decades. Nevertheless, such growth is very much driven by resource-based exports, with minerals and electricity generating almost 60 per cent of all of its export revenue. This underlines the need for Laos to manage and insulate itself from external vulnerabilities while trying to diversify its economy away from resource dependency.
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