ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office

AMRO Director Yasuto Watanabe paid a courtesy visit to ADB President Masato Kanda on June 5 at the ADB Headquarters in Manila.

President Kanda warmly congratulated Director Watanabe on his new role at AMRO. The meeting reaffirmed the long-standing partnership between ADB and AMRO, now further strengthened under the new leadership of both institutions.

Amid growing global and regional uncertainties, both leaders underscored the importance of deepening regional cooperation and integration. They expressed a shared commitment to enhancing collaboration in key areas, including research, regional financing arrangements, and capacity building.

During his first official visit to Japan, AMRO Director Yasuto Watanabe paid courtesy calls on Minister of Finance Katsunobu Kato and Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs Atsushi Mimura. Their discussions focused on deepening ASEAN+3 financial cooperation and AMRO’s role in safeguarding the region’s macroeconomic and financial resilience and stability amid global uncertainties.

Director Watanabe also met with Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda, sharing updates on AMRO’s economic surveillance and research initiatives, and exchanging views on the regional outlook and challenges.

In his meeting with Japan Bank for International Cooperation Governor Nobumitsu Hayashi, they explored potential areas for future collaboration to promote sustainable growth and stability across the region.

These engagements underscore AMRO’s strong partnership with stakeholders and reaffirm its continued commitment to fostering regional dialogue and cooperation.

On February 10, AMRO Director Kouqing Li and Deputy Director Dong-ick Kim had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Sung Hwan Shin, a distinguished member of the Bank of Korea’s Monetary Policy Board, to the AMRO office.

In an insightful exchange, AMRO provided key updates on the ASEAN+3 region’s economic outlook, while Dr. Shin shared his expert perspectives on the region’s evolving economic landscape. The discussion underscored a shared commitment to deeper collaboration, knowledge exchange, and policy dialogue—essential pillars in advancing regional economic and financial stability.

On January 13, AMRO Director Kouqing Li met with Dato Zamzuri bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Secretary of Malaysia Ministry of Finance in Langkawi, Malaysia.

Dr. Li highlighted AMRO’s key priorities for the year and reiterated AMRO’s support to Malaysia, Co-chair of the 2025 ASEAN+3 Finance Process. Dato Zamzuri emphasized Malaysia’s commitment to deepening collaboration with AMRO to advance regional financial cooperation.