CITBA About Us

About Us

Acknowledgement of Country

CITBA acknowledges Australia’s First Nations Peoples, the First Australians, as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land. We pay respect to their Elders, past and present, and through them, to all Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.


About CITBA

The Centre for International Trade and Business in Asia (CITBA) is a research center at James Cook University (JCU), dedicated to advancing sustainable economic development, trade, and business resilience. With headquarters in Australia and as the only research center within the College of Business, Law, and Governance (CBLG) at JCU, CITBA leads impactful research that addresses global economic transitions, environmental challenges, and industrial transformations.

Since its establishment in 2018, CITBA has grown into a multidisciplinary research hub, comprising over 50 scholars across JCU Australia and JCU Singapore. Our research spans key areas such as:

  • Sustainable economies, circular business models, and decarbonization strategies.
  • Trade, business, and economic development in the Asia-Pacific region.
  • Industry resilience, innovation, and transformation in response to climate, environmental, and social changes.
  • Regional competitiveness and global economic ties between Australia, Singapore, and Asia.

CITBA actively supports industry, government, and community collaborations to create nature-positive economies and drive sustainable growth in trade and business.


Our Research & Engagement

CITBA's research efforts drive real-world impact through:

✅ Research Projects – Investigating trade, business, sustainability, and economic resilience. ✅ Workshops & Conferences – Facilitating industry-academic dialogues on economic transformation. ✅ Public Engagement – Publishing policy briefs, reports, and community resources. ✅ Collaboration – Partnering with government agencies, industry leaders, and international research networks. ✅ Strategic Partnerships – Working with universities and industry stakeholders to advance sustainable business and trade models.


Our Mission

CITBA is committed to being a leading center for research, collaboration, and innovation, supporting businesses and industries in their transition to sustainable and resilient economic models. We achieve this by:

  • Enhancing research excellence at JCU through impactful interdisciplinary studies.
  • Supporting firms and industries to navigate economic transitions and adopt circular economy and low-carbon business strategies.
  • Partnering with government, businesses, and policymakers to develop evidence-based, sustainable economic solutions.
  • Aligning with JCU’s research priorities, particularly in nature-positive economies, industry innovation, and resilient economic structures.

Our Objectives

CITBA is dedicated to fostering sustainable, inclusive, and resilient economic growth through its research, with a strong focus on nature-positive economies, circular business models, decarbonisation, and industrial transformation to support long-term economic and environmental sustainability:

1️⃣ To conduct high-quality, interdisciplinary research on international trade, business, and economic resilience, with a particular focus on the Asia-Pacific and the Asian Tropics.

2️⃣ To provide expertise and knowledge that supports businesses, governments, and other stakeholders in navigating global economic shifts and enhancing their competitiveness in the international market.

3️⃣ To foster collaboration and partnerships between scholars, industry leaders, policymakers, and research institutions to drive innovation, sustainability, and economic development across regions.

4️⃣ To enhance the research performance and impact of James Cook University by offering faculty and students opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research, capacity-building initiatives, and cross-sector collaboration that contribute to sustainable economic transitions.


Get Involved

For more information on how CITBA can support your organisation, industry, or research, please contact us at CITBA@jcu.edu.au.

We look forward to collaborating with businesses, governments, and researchers to drive sustainable, competitive, and nature-positive economic futures.