The leaders of Japan, China and South Korea are planning on enhancing trade in Asia by moving forward with discussions on a potential free-trade deal, according to the BBC.
 
Studies on this pact are due to be completed this year; a year earlier than expected.  Once completed, these studies would set in motion the trade-free negotiations.
 
Beijing and Seol have committed to paving the way for open talks to support Japan’s post earthquake reconstruction efforts.
 
With Japan’s economy taking a hit from the earthquake and the associated nuclear crisis, the possibility for a free-trade deal could help boost its economy, and thus the job market.
 
As a beginning, China has agreed to relieve some restrictions on food imports from Japan.
 
What does this mean for jobs?
 
If the free-trade deal goes ahead, talented executives with experience in supply chain management will be in demand, due to an increase in jobs in this industry in Japan, China and South Korea.
 
With the anticipated increase of products being imported and exported, executives to oversee this increase will be required. This free-trade deal will also produce job opportunities in importing and exporting in these countries.
 
These three countries already account for around a fifth of the world’s trade, therefore this increase in trade in Asia bodes well for these emerging market economies, and as a result, for jobs too.

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This article was written by Bella Barda, Emerging Markets Assistant for the Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC).

BlueSteps is the exclusive service of the AESC that puts senior executives on the radar screen of over 6,000 executive search professionals in over 70 countries. Be visible, and be considered for up to 50,000 opportunities handled by AESC search firms every year. Find out more at www.BlueSteps.com.