(From left to right)  Deputy Vice Chancellor and Head of Singapore Campus Dr. Dale Anderson, General Manager Asia, for National Australia Bank Mr Neil Parekh, Vice Chancellor and President Professor Sandra Harding, Senior Lecturer in Business Dr. Jacob Wood, Chancellor Mr. Bill Tweddell and the Australian High Commissioner HE Bruce Gosper

The Centre for International Trade and Business in Asia at James Cook University in Singapore brings together expertise in international trade, business, economic development, banking and finance, and sustainable urban planning, to successfully carry out research and consultancy projects throughout Asia that helps our stakeholders harness the opportunities that exist in the region.

The Chancellor of James Cook University, Mr. Bill Tweddell said, “With the rapid population and economic growth, our region’s influence is set to rise dramatically and there is a need to bring together scholars and practitioners to look at how businesses and industries in our region can help meet Asia’s import needs and nurture new commercial opportunities – to both Australia’s and Singapore’s benefit”.

The CITBA is the first centre focused on business and trade in JCU and portends a new chapter in Singaporean/Australian academic cooperation.

“Our international business research team supplies management and organizational solutions to help international ventures into and from emerging economies.  Researchers in international trade provide a deep understanding of non-tariff barriers and neo-protectionist trade policy, and their potential impacts on Asian businesses and economies. Our team in urban planning and design bring together the best of academia and industry to develop urban policies for the design of smart and sustainable urban habitats”, said Dr. Jacob Wood, Senior Lecturer in Business and Director at CITBA.

Mr Neil Parekh, General Manager, Asia, for National Australia Bank, delivered an insightful keynote address at the event to launch the centre. Mr Parekh congratulated JCU on taking the initiative to establish the centre in Singapore, and said Singapore plays an important role in the Asian region as a major trading hub.

“Singapore continues to thrive and prosper as a leading trading hub, and remains proactive in riding the wave of technological change to create an innovation-driven economy with a continued focus on trade,” Mr Parekh said.

Professor Sandra Harding, Vice Chancellor and President of James Cook University said, “The launch of the Centre for International Trade and Business in Asia further demonstrates our commitment to Singapore and to deliver research and insight that will assist our industry stakeholders and others to better understand the changing economic landscapes in which they operate as well as the challenges and opportunities presented by an increasingly integrated marketplace”.

For further information on current research areas of research and future collaborative opportunities, visit https://www.jcu.edu.sg/citba or watch the video here

Contacts

CITBA: Professor Dean Jerry [email protected]
Media: Pinky Sibal [email protected]