AFDC launches distance learning seminar series on Improving Investment Environment for Asia-Pacific
Infrastructure is at the core of regional connectivity and integration as it can boost productivity and growth, facilitate trade and investment, and enhance mobility of people and ideas. Thus, building world class infrastructure is critical for growth. However, many developing countries fall behind in infrastructure development due to the lack of capital, technology, expertise, favorable environment, etc. Among all these challenges, the short of capital is obviously an urgent and important one.
In this context, recently, the Asia-Pacific Finance and Development Center (AFDC) in collaboration with the World Bank, KDI School (Korea), Institute of Financial Training (Vietnam Ministry of Finance) and Tokyo Development Learning Center launched a special distance learning seminar series on Financing Growth: Improving the Investment Environment through Infrastructure Development for Asia-Pacific via the Global Distance Learning Network.
The first seminar of this series with the theme of Urban Infrastructure Development and Financing was held on April 19. Nearly 130 participants attended the seminar via videoconference connecting seven sites in Ulan Bator, Tokyo, Seoul, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Shanghai and Beijing.
The seminar, which lasts for three hours, includes three case studies. The first is a presentation by Prof. Byungho Oh who is a visiting professor of KDI School of Public Policy and Management. He introduced the infrastructure for economic development, how to financing infrastructure project and Korean experience. Following that, Prof. Do Duc Minh, director general of the Institute of Financial Training of Vietnam, shared with participants Vietnam’s Financing Policies for Urban infrastructure development, the current status of infrastructure system and financing structure in Vietnam. Then Mr. Liu Hanyong, Director of International Division of Shanghai Municipal Finance Bureau gave an overview of urban infrastructure financing in China and then focused on the case of Shanghai, he also shared two specific cases of urban infrastructure financing in two different sectors.
In the Q&A session, participants raised questions on details of the cases in each country, among others, to discuss with experts.
Participants of the seminar are government officials in departments of finance, business and trade, as well as academics, and private sector business practitioners. By sharing experience and promoting lessons learned, participants grasp a better idea of the importance of urban infrastructure in improving investment environment and the financing status of infrastructure development in each country.
The second seminar of this series with the theme of Transport Infrastructure Development and Financing will be held on June 14.
