In Singapore, specially in that area around the Heng Mui Keng Terrance it is not unusual to walk past several international organizations and think tanks within just a few blocks. There are APEC, the Asia Europe Foundation, ISEAS, WIPO, and of course the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC). For a young graduate student interested in economic development, cooperation and trade, that ecosystem feels like stepping into the heart of regional policy dialogue and as one may say, where things happen. In 2013, during my Master in Public Policy at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore (NUS), I had the opportunity to experience that world firsthand through an internship with PECC.

As part of the MPP program, students were required to complete a Policy Analysis Exercise instead of a traditional thesis. This meant collaborating with an organization involved in public policy and developing a project relevant both to the institution and to our academic training. Knowing that PECC International Secretariat was in Singapore, I reached out to explore the possibility of working with the organization for my project. PECC agreed to host my policy project but also welcomed me as an intern.

Working at PECC placed me within this ecosystem of regional cooperation institutions. Being exposed to that environment helped me better understand how regional governance works in practice and how policy dialogue contributes to economic integration and be able to contribute with my work and experience.

During my time at PECC, I had the opportunity to contribute to several initiatives. One of the most meaningful was supporting research for the State of the Region Report, PECC’s flagship publication. My work involved gathering and analyzing data on economic trends shaping the region. I also contributed to the development of indicators related to mobility and connectivity, two themes that remain central to regional integration. This internship also provided me with the chance to attend international meetings organized by PECC in Singapore and Indonesia.
Beyond the professional experience, what made the internship particularly valuable was the people. I had the privilege of working with a dedicated and supportive team at PECC while also interacting with fellow interns and young professionals from across the Asia-Pacific region, including China, Hong Kong, and Indonesia.

After returning to Colombia, I continued working on issues related to economic integration and the Asia-Pacific. Just arriving back home, I got opportunity to work at Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia as one of the members of the staff working in Colombia’s strategy toward the Asia-Pacific region. From there, I moved to ProColombia, the national agency responsible for promoting trade, investment, and tourism, supporting initiatives aimed at fostering Colombia’s economic ties with Asia.

For the past ten years, I have been part of Universidad EAFIT in Medellín, Colombia, where I lead the Global Management team and as a professor in International Business. My work focuses on international business, international relations, and international political economy. This has allowed me to serve as professor in both undergrad and graduate levels and as an Associate Researcher at the Asia Pacific Studies Center, a think tank created two decades ago to promote links Colombia and the Asia-Pacific.

Through teaching, research, and partnerships with companies and public institutions, I have had the opportunity to work with many entrepreneurs, policymakers, and students interested in building stronger ties with Asia. Many of my former students now work in companies engaged with Asian markets, in government institutions focused on international trade, or have pursued further studies in universities across the region.

Looking back, my experience at PECC played an important role in shaping this path. My time in PECC helped me better understand the importance of regional cooperation and the value of connecting different sectors of government, academia, and business across the Pacific. For present and future interns at PECC, my message is simple: continue working hard and pursue your education with passion. The experiences you gain today will shape the opportunities you have tomorrow. Wherever your careers take you, whether in the private sector, government, or academia, there will always be opportunities to contribute to stronger cooperation and economic ties between your home economy and the economies of the Asia-Pacific region.

Camilo Pérez-Restrepo
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Colombia