03 May 2013 (2:00 pm-3:30 pm, Hall 8, Room 3)

A robust industrial sector characterizes virtually every Asian economy that has been successful in transforming its structure of production and employment, from one based heavily on traditional agriculture to one based on modern activities, especially in manufacturing.

In contrast, many of today's developing economies in Asia - including the fast-growing ones such as India - are experiencing a structural transformation that is either bypassing manufacturing or not particularly reliant on it.

Does such a structural transformation serve as a basis for sustainable growth? What are the relevant takeaways for Asia's policymakers from recent experience of the developed and the developing world? If a dynamic manufacturing sector is critical for successful economic development, what role can industrial policy play? What is the new academic thinking on the efficacy and design of industrial policy?

What are the key job challenges under conditions of industrial diversification and/or structural transformation that broadens the role of services? What are the complementary roles of other policies that could promote growth and generate good jobs under different forms of transformation and globalization?

Leading experts, including CEOs of leading manufacturing sector firms from around the region, will provide their perspectives on these questions.

Opening Remarks:

Bindu N. Lohani
Vice-President, Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development, ADB

Panelists:

François Bourguignon
Professor/Director Paris School of Economics

Kapil Kapoor
Director of Strategy, African Development Bank

Danny Leipziger
Managing Director of the Growth Dialogue

Arvind Virmani
President of Chintan (Empowerment Through Knowledge) and adviser to the Indian Government

Moderator: Anil Padmanabhan
Deputy Managing Editor, Mint Delhi Office