Professor Bernadette Andreosso-O’Callaghan

Professor Bernadette Andreosso-O’Callaghan
University of Limerick, Ireland

Comparing and Contrasting Economic Integration in The Asia Pacific Region and Europe

Abstract:

The main objective of this paper will be to determine the level of de facto and de jure economic integration in the two regions, and to compare the regions along a number of statistical indicators.

In a first section, the milestones of government led economic integration in both the EU and the East Asian region will be presented. In the case of Asia, this will be done with a focus on hubs of economic integration such as the ASEAN and ASEAN + 3. An analysis will follow. In a second section, the degree of structural similarity within the two regions will be assessed. After reviewing a few theoretical inputs, we will measure structural similarity in the EU-15, EU-25, as well as in the East Asian region. These data and measurements will thoroughly be analysed.

A third section will place the emphasis on the two tenets of economic integration: i.e. trade and investment. In a first sub-section, issues such as intra-EU trade (including the new member states) and intra-East Asian trade will be assessed; the sub section will also look at bilateral trade intensity indices and trade complementarity indices (that will be calculated and analysed). In a second sub-section, a short analysis of intra regional trade at several levels of geographical analysis in the East Asian region (Intra ASEAN and intra ASEAN + 3) will be proposed. The second sub-section will be devoted to the issue of foreign direct investment (FDI), and will cover intra EU FDI as well as the topical issue of the catalytic role of FDI in the East Asian Region (including the role of Singapore as a gateway, and the re-routing effect from Hong Kong). The role of China, as the country that has recently taken over the USA as the world recipient of FDI will be highlighted. The fourth sub-section will delve into other initiatives such as economic cooperation, development aid (in East Asia), etc., and conclusive avenues will finally be proposed.

Biographical note:

Prof. Bernadette Andréosso-O'Callaghan is Jean Monnet Professor of European Economic Integration and Director of the Euro-Asia Centre, University of Limerick, where she teaches ‘Theory of Economic Integration, Economic Policies of the EU, and Industrial Economics’. Her main areas of research are: Economic Integration; Technology Transfer; Structural Change; EU-Asia Economic Relations. Other areas of interest include Input-output analysis; Development economics; Local economic development; and Agricultural economics. She has been on the Advisory Board of the Asia Europe Journal since its inception.

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