The Service Revolution in South Asia

(Oxford University Press, 2010)

Book Forum
September 8, 2010 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM EDT

1st floor/Wintergarden

Featuring the editor and chief author Ejaz Ghani, Economic Advisor, South Asia Poverty Reduction and Economic Management, World Bank; with comments by Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar, Research Fellow, Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity, Cato Institute and columnist for the Times of India; moderated by Daniel Griswold, Director, Center for Trade Policy Studies, Cato Institute.

South Asia, especially India, has attracted global attention because of its success in service exports. Challenging the "iron law" of development that industrialization is the only route to rapid growth, Ejaz Ghani explores the revolutionary opportunities that the globalization of services opens up for developing countries. Swami Aiyar will question how deep the service revolution is, and whether it can be replicated widely. What exactly is a service revolution and what has contributed to it? Are services as dynamic as manufacturing? Why have some countries succeeded and others failed? What can we learn from the experiences of India, China, and other South Asian countries? Join us as we discuss this timely and provocative book.