Indonesia is on the cusp of transformative take-off, poised to become a major economic power not just in Asia, but also on the global-stage. This book is a pioneering attempt in comprehensively assessing all attributes, conditions and policies for 33 Indonesian provinces and Indonesia's trajectory as an emerging middle power. It contains papers and data-sets presented in July 2012, at ACI's signature Annual Conference. The information that was shared at the conference and presented in the book posit a future where tens of millions of Indonesians will be lifted out of poverty to become a self-sustaining middle-class, which will in turn drive the country into a global leadership role in the 21st century. It is a compelling value-added proposition for policy simulations enabling policy-makers to identify relative weaknesses, strengths, threats and opportunities of individual 33 provinces, guiding them to prioritise areas in crafting policies and development strategies.
Sample Chapter(s)
Foreword (24 KB)
Chapter 1: Overview: Competitiveness Analysis and Development Strategies for 33 Indonesian Provinces (1,728 KB)
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_fmatter
The following sections are included:
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0001
The following sections are included:
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0002
This chapter explores the challenges and responses of the province of Aceh in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In Section 1, an introduction and background to the province including major economic sectors and infrastructure are presented. Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). In Section 3, the policy themes from official policy of the province, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies are deliberated. Finally, Section 4 concludes this chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0003
This chapter explores the challenges and responses of the province of Bali in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In Section 1, an introduction and background to the province including major economic sectors and infrastructure are presented. Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). In Section 3, the policy themes from official policy of the province, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies are deliberated. Finally, Section 4 concludes this chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0004
This chapter explores the challenges and responses of the province of Banten in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In Section 1, an introduction and background to the province including major economic sectors and infrastructure are presented. Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). In Section 3, the policy themes from official policy of the province, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies are deliberated. Finally, Section 4 concludes this chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0005
This chapter explores the challenges and responses of the province of Bengkulu in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In Section 1, an introduction and background to the province including major economic sectors and infrastructure are presented. Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). In Section 3, the policy themes from official policy of the province, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies are deliberated. Finally, Section 4 concludes this chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0006
This chapter explores the challenges and responses of the province of DI Yogyakarta in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In Section 1, an introduction and background to the province including major economic sectors and infrastructure are presented. Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). In Section 3, the policy themes from official policy of the province, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies are deliberated. Finally, Section 4 concludes this chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0007
This chapter explores the challenges and responses of the province of DKI Jakarta in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Following Section 1 as introduction and background with major economic sectors and infrastructure, Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). Section 3 on policy themes has the official policy, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies. Section 4 is for concluding remarks.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0008
This chapter explores the challenges and responses of the province of Gorontalo in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In Section 1, an introduction and background to the province including major economic sectors and infrastructure are presented. Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). In Section 3, the policy themes from official policy of the province, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies are deliberated. Finally, Section 4 concludes this chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0009
This chapter explores the challenges and responses of the province of Jambi in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In Section 1, an introduction and background to the province including major economic sectors and infrastructure are presented. Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). In Section 3, the policy themes from official policy of the province, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies are deliberated. Finally, Section 4 concludes this chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0010
This chapter explores the challenges and responses of the province of Jawa Barat in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In Section 1, an introduction and background to the province including major economic sectors and infrastructure are presented. Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). In Section 3, the policy themes from official policy of the province, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies are deliberated. Finally, Section 4 concludes this chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0011
This chapter explores the challenges and responses of the province of Jawa Tengah in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In Section 1, an introduction and background to the province including major economic sectors and infrastructure are presented. Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). In Section 3, the policy themes from official policy of the province, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies are deliberated. Finally, Section 4 concludes this chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0012
This chapter explores the challenges and responses of the province of Jawa Timur in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In Section 1, an introduction and background to the province including major economic sectors and infrastructure are presented. Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). In Section 3, the policy themes from official policy of the province, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies are deliberated. Finally, Section 4 concludes this chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0013
This chapter explores the challenges and responses of the province of Kalimantan Barat in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In Section 1, an introduction and background to the province including major economic sectors and infrastructure are presented. Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). In Section 3, the policy themes from official policy of the province, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies are deliberated. Finally, Section 4 concludes this chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0014
This chapter explores the challenges and responses of the province of Kalimantan Selatan in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In Section 1, an introduction and background to the province including major economic sectors and infrastructure are presented. Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). In Section 3, the policy themes from official policy of the province, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies are deliberated. Finally, Section 4 concludes this chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0015
This chapter explores the challenges and responses of the province of Kalimantan Tengah in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In Section 1, an introduction and background to the province including major economic sectors and infrastructure are presented. Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). In Section 3, the policy themes from official policy of the province, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies are deliberated. Finally, Section 4 concludes this chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0016
This chapter explores the challenges and responses of the province of Kalimantan Timur in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In Section 1, an introduction and background to the province including major economic sectors and infrastructure are presented. Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). In Section 3, the policy themes from official policy of the province, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies are deliberated. Finally, Section 4 concludes this chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0017
This chapter explores the challenges and responses of the province of Kepulauan Bangka Belitung in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In Section 1, an introduction and background to the province including major economic sectors and infrastructure are presented. Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). In Section 3, the policy themes from official policy of the province, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies are deliberated. Finally, Section 4 concludes this chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0018
This chapter explores the challenges and responses of the province of Kepulauan Riau in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In Section 1, an introduction and background to the province including major economic sectors and infrastructure are presented. Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). In Section 3, the policy themes from official policy of the province, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies are deliberated. Finally, Section 4 concludes this chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0019
This chapter explores the challenges and responses of the province of Lampung in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In Section 1, an introduction and background to the province including major economic sectors and infrastructure are presented. Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). In Section 3, the policy themes from official policy of the province, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies are deliberated. Finally, Section 4 concludes this chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0020
This chapter explores the challenge and response of the province of Maluku in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Following Section 1 as introduction and background with major economic sectors and infrastructure, Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). Section 3 on policy themes has the official policy, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies. Section 4 is for chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0021
This chapter explores the challenge and response of the province of Maluku Utara in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Following Section 1 as introduction and background with major economic sectors and infrastructure, Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). Section 3 on policy themes has the official policy, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies. Section 4 is for concluding chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0022
This chapter explores the challenges and responses of the province of Nusa Tenggara Barat in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In Section 1, an introduction and background to the province including major economic sectors and infrastructure are presented. Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). In Section 3, the policy themes from official policy of the province, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies are deliberated. Finally, Section 4 concludes this chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0023
This chapter explores the challenge and response of the province of Nusa Tenggara Timur in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Following Section 1 as introduction and background with major economic sectors and infrastructure, Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). Section 3 on policy themes has the official policy, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies. Section 4 is for concluding remarks.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0024
This chapter explores the challenges and responses of the province of Papua in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN). In Section 1, an introduction and background to the province including major economic sectors and infrastructure are presented. Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). In Section 3, the policy themes from official policy of the province, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies are deliberated. Finally, Section 4 concludes this chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0025
This chapter explores the challenges and responses of the province of Kepulauan Riau in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN). In Section 1, an introduction and background to the province including major economic sectors and infrastructure are presented. Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). In Section 3, the policy themes from official policy of the province, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies are deliberated. Finally, Section 4 concludes this chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0026
This chapter explores the challenges and responses of the province of Riau in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In Section 1, an introduction and background to the province including major economic sectors and infrastructure are presented. Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). In Section 3, the policy themes from official policy of the province, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies are deliberated. Finally, Section 4 concludes this chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0027
This chapter explores the challenge and response of the province of Sulawesi Barat in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Following Section 1 as introduction and background with major economic sectors and infrastructure, Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). Section 3 on policy themes has the official policy, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies. Section 4 is for concluding chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0028
This chapter explores the challenges and responses of the province of Sulawesi Selatan in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In Section 1, an introduction and background to the province including major economic sectors and infrastructure are presented. Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). In Section 3, the policy themes from official policy of the province, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies are deliberated. Finally, Section 4 concludes this chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0029
This chapter explores the challenges and responses of the province of Sulawesi Tengah in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In Section 1, an introduction and background to the province including major economic sectors and infrastructure are presented. Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). In Section 3, the policy themes from official policy of the province, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies are deliberated. Finally, Section 4 concludes this chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0030
This chapter explores the challenge and response of the province of Sulawesi Tenggara in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Following Section 1 as introduction and background with major economic sectors and infrastructure, Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). Section 3 on policy themes has the official policy, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies. Section 4 is for concluding remarks.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0031
This chapter explores the challenges and responses of the province of Sulawesi Utara in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In Section 1, an introduction and background to the province including major economic sectors and infrastructure are presented. Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). In Section 3, the policy themes from official policy of the province, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies are deliberated. Finally, Section 4 concludes this chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0032
This chapter explores the challenges and responses of the province of Lampung in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In Section 1, an introduction and background to the province including major economic sectors and infrastructure are presented. Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). In Section 3, the policy themes from official policy of the province, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies are deliberated. Finally, Section 4 concludes this chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0033
This chapter explores the challenges and responses of the province of Sumatera Selatan in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In Section 1, an introduction and background to the province including major economic sectors and infrastructure are presented. Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). In Section 3, the policy themes from official policy of the province, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies are deliberated. Finally, Section 4 concludes this chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_0034
This chapter explores the challenge and response of the province of Sumatera Utara in economic development as Indonesia1 joins other emerging economies and assuming its rightful competitive place in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Following Section 1 as introduction and background with major economic sectors and infrastructure, Section 2 assesses relative competitiveness with analyses of median and maximum competitiveness and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT). Section 3 on policy themes has the official policy, a simulation what-if competitiveness analysis and development strategies. Section 4 is for concluding remarks.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814504867_bmatter
The following sections are included:
“This rare book weighs provincial competitiveness in Indonesia and makes a very important contribution to studies on economic decentralization. It is a resource for governments and policy-makers seeking to accelerate economic growth and poverty alleviation. Overall, the book is an excellent introduction to the current and future competitiveness of Indonesia's provinces. The reader should approach the rankings with an appropriate knowledge of Indonesia's political and economic history.”
“Despite the complexity of the calculations behind the rankings, the authors present their findings in figures and tables that are easy to read and understand.”
TAN Khee Giap is currently Chair of the Singapore National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation (SINCPEC) and also Co-Director of Asia Competitiveness Institute in Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore. Upon graduating with a PhD from University of East Anglia, England, UK in 1987, he joined the banking sector as a treasury manager and served as secretary to the Assets and Liabilities Committee for three years, there after he taught at the Department of Economics and Statistics, National University of Singapore, 1990–1993. Dr Tan joined Nanyang Technological University in 1993 and was Associate Dean, Graduate Studies Office, 2007–2009.
Dr Tan has consulted extensively with the various government ministries, statutory boards and government linked companies of Singapore government. on policies concerning financial, fiscal, trade, tourism, public housing, labour, telecommunication, tourism, liveable cities, creative industry, media, community development, airport and seaport activities. He has also served as a consultant to international agencies such as the Asian Development Bank, Asian Development Bank Institute, and the United Nations Industrial Development Group among others.
Dr Tan has published in international refereed journals including Applied Economics, Asian Economic Papers, Review of Pacific Basin Financial Markets and Policies, Competitiveness Review in the area of capital flows, economic forecasting, financial sector liberalization and macroeconomic competitiveness. His current research interests include econometric forecasting, Global Liveable Cities Index and competitiveness analysis on 34 Greater China economies in China, 35 states in India and ASEAN-10 economies.
He served in the 2002 Economic Review Committee (ERC), served as Chairman of the Task Force on Portable Medical Benefits (PMB), served as the Deputy Chairman of the IPS Forum for Economic Restructuring (IFER) in 2003 and served as a member of the Resource Panel of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport and Government Parliamentary Committee for Finance and Trade since 2007. Dr Tan is also currently an Independent Director of the publicly listed Artivision Technologies Limited, TCT Treasury China Trust and Breadtalk Group Limited. He is also a Board Member of Human Capital Singapore.
Mulya AMRI is Research Associate at the Asia Competitiveness Institute (ACI), and Ph.D student at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore (NUS). He has 12 years of working experience in the private, public, and non-profit sectors. Before starting his Ph. D studies, Mulya worked in Singapore with HOK, a global planning and architecture consultancy firm, and with Jurong Consultants, the consultancy arm of Singapore's JTC Corporation. Prior to moving to Singapore, Mulya worked with UNDP, UN-HABITAT, and the World Bank on projects related to governance strengthening, housing development, and community-driven development in various Indonesian regions. He was also a cofounder of COMBINE Resource Institution, an NGO based in Yogyakarta working to strengthen community-based information systems. Mulya has written book chapters on intermunicipal cooperation, human settlements, community media, and Corporate Social Responsibility. He graduated with a bachelor's degree from Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Indonesia, and was awarded the Fulbright scholarship to study for a Master's degree in Urban Planning at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Linda Low is Senior Research Fellow at Asia Competitiveness Centre in Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore.
TAN Kong Yam is presently Adjunct Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and Director of the Asia Competitiveness Institute. He is also Professor of Economics at the Nanyang Technological University. From June 2002 to June 2005, he was a senior economist at the World Bank office in Beijing where he worked on issues of macro stabilization, integration of the fragmented domestic market, banking reform, international trade and investment, energy security as well as regional inequality. In 2004, he was a member of the World Bank expert group on the eleventh five year plan (2006–2010) for the State Council in China. The expert group provided analysis and policy recommendations on urbanization, regional inequality, innovation policy, energy and water policy as well as strategy on banking reform to the Chinese government.
Prior to that, he was the chief economist of the Singapore government (1999–2002), Head, Department of Business Policy, Faculty of Business Administration at the National University of Singapore (NUS). He is a graduate of Princeton (1975–79, class of 1931 scholar, Paul Volcker Thesis prize) and Stanford University (1980–83), where he completed his Master and PhD in three years. Prior to joining NUS, he has worked at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, World Bank, the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and was the Director of Research at the Ministry of Trade and Industry in Singapore.
His research interests are in international trade and finance, economic and business trends in the Asia Pacific region and economic reforms in China. He has published five books and numerous articles in major international journals including American Economic Review, World Bank Economic review, Long Range Planning, Australian Journal of Management etc on economic and business issues in the Asia Pacific region. He served as board member at the Singapore Central Provident Fund Board (1984–96) and the National Productivity Board (1989–90). He has also consulted for many organizations including Temasek, GIC, Citigroup, IBM, ATT, BP, ABN-AMRO, Ikea, Bank of China, China Construction Bank, People's Bank of China, EDB, Areva, Capitaland, Guangdong provincial government, Samsung, Mauritius Government, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mobil, Singapore Technology, etc.