About Us

What is CITBA?

Established in 2018, CITBA has developed a research focus that is centred around the key research areas of Tropical ecosystems, conservation and climate change; Industries and economies in the tropics; and People and societies in the tropics. Since launching CITBA has grown to include more than 50 scholars from both JCUA and JCUS. CITBA was founded with the purpose of increasing and sharing knowledge about the past, present and future opportunities that exist in the economic development, business and international trade spaces throughout Asia and the Asian Tropics. With its headquarters based in Singapore, the centre recognises the need to be an active advocate for research and industry engagement in the world’s leading business and international trading hub. However, with teams at JCUA’s Brisbane, Cairns, and Townville campuses, CITBA works hard to foster stronger research and economic ties between Australia and Singapore. As countries with strong friendships and long-held political, economic, and social ties, CITBA works with industry to provide answers for businesses wanting to operate in either country.

CITBA’s modus operandi is to include the finest scholars, both early career and more established, from James Cook University’s Australian and Singaporean Campuses in collegial inter-disciplinary teams that foster an environment that encourages innovative thinking and supports research excellence. With a focus on Asia and the Asian Tropics, research at CITBA is structured to provide businesses, governments, and partner universities expertise and knowledge across a range of research clusters, including corporate social responsibility, circular economy, sustainable tourism, waste management, trade negotiations and non-tariff barrier analysis. Each is led by a senior scholar. These clusters hold regular seminars, workshops, reading groups and conferences, providing the settings for critical engagements and exchanges between scholars with allied intellectual interests but different disciplinary pedigrees and methodological inclinations.

For further information about how CITBA can support your institution, please contact us at CITBA@jcu.edu.au, or for more specific industry engagement enquiries in Singapore please contact A/Prof Jacob Wood. For all Australian inquires please contact A/Prof Taha Chaiechi. We look forward to working with you soon.

Hello and welcome to CITBA,

Since launching in 2018, the Center for International Trade and Business in Asia (CITBA) has provided practical economic, social-cultural and environmental solutions for businesses and governments alike. With a strong collegial focus on research excellence and industry engagement in Asia and the Asian Tropics, CITBA has helped to path the way for new exciting research opportunities at James Cook University.

Given the rapid economic rise of Asia and the Asian Tropics the socio-political transformation we are witnessing today make the study of this region more important than ever. New issues and challenging problems concerning the region require deep, thorough and careful analysis. With our capable team of researchers, CITBA is in a very good position to perform this role, through the many programs it offers and research clusters it has formed.

We welcome you to visit this website and to participate in the activities that are organised by the centre.

Kind regards,

Dr. Jacob Wood

Director of CITBA