The world is undergoing an economic shift and most economists keep getting things wrong. Why? In this friendly yet in-depth conversation, Chairman Dr. Virak Prum entertained one of the world renowned economists Prof. Michael Pettis on many issues ranging from the advantage of running trade deficits, the correct way of looking at export-oriented growth model, the need to boost local consumption, the Sri Lankan situation, why China keeps lending to the US and much more. In fact, surplus is not, in and by itself, a good thing. It all depends on the conditions facing a particular economy. One trick for continuing to absorb deficits, though, is by ensuring that imported savings (i.e. FDI) are actually funding productive investments. Oh, a completely free flow of capital? A bad idea indeed! After listening, you will learn about real-life economics faster than by reading several books on the subject.