Jakarta. The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) should aim to become a credible think-tank as it celebrates its 15th anniversary, according to Former Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita.

Since its founding in 2008, ERIA has provided policy recommendations aimed at driving economic integration, among others, in the region. The international research organization played a role in the conclusion of the world’s largest trade pact Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Not to mention ERIA's role in helping with the success of ASEAN chairmanships.

Enggartiasto added ERIA had given inputs for the joint declaration that the G20 leaders adopted when Indonesia hosted the group last year. Countless ASEAN and East Asian ministerial statements have cited ERIA’s findings. However, those are “just the beginning”.

“In the current multipolar world setting, ERIA should aim to be a credible international think tank working with a focus on ASEAN and East Asia. A credible think tank that will not entertain political leaders nor political parties,” Enggartiasto said at ERIA’s 15th-anniversary reception in Jakarta on Wednesday evening.

Enggartiasto, who is also the Executive Chairman of B-Universe Media Holdings, urged ERIA to be a credible think tank that does not measure its success by the number of publications but by their quality.

“A credible think tank that will not merely focus on whether variables are statistically significant or not, but provide policy recommendations that will bring positive impact to our society,” Enggartiasto said.

Speaking to B-Universe on the sidelines of the reception, ERIA's newly appointed president Tetsuya Watanabe spoke of the think-tank's contribution to Indonesia's ASEAN chairmanship.

"We are already contributing to [issues related] to food security, energy security, a flagship project of the Indo-Pacific Forum, as well as the blue economy. Digitalization is also one of our main focuses," Watanabe said.

Watanabe also unveiled ERIA's plans to launch a digital innovation center this September. The center is expected to bring different perspectives to promote digital transformation and sustainable development.

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