Business & Money | Thursday 8 December, 2016 9:47 am |

Hon. Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Najib Razak, will inaugurate The Economic Times Asian Business Leaders Conclave as an ascendant Asia takes centre stage

One of the most important economic phenomena that our generation has been witnessing is the emergence of Asia as an economic force on the global arena. While the Western world has traditionally been at the forefront of economic change, it is now Asia that is coming under the spotlight with the world looking up to the region as it seeks to understand “what’s next”. A key factor behind Asia’s burgeoning influence is the size of its collective economy which is growing rapidly. Asia’s share in world GDP in real US$ Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) was 23.2 per cent in 1990, with Oxford economists projecting this to grow to nearly 45 per cent by 2025.

Over the past decade, Asia has been home to some of the world’s fastest-growing economies and can now boast of major contributions to global growth. This clearly establishes the region as a predominant player of the world economy, with China flexing its economic might and other Asian countries such as India, UAE, Singapore and Saudi Arabia also demonstrating strong growth. As such, the region’s ascendancy in the global economy is likely to continue with regional businesses making their impact felt worldwide.

With regional co-operation getting further established, The Economic Times brings together iconic and upcoming leaders of Asia Inc. under one roof at the inaugural edition of The Economic Times Asian Business Leaders Conclave, taking place on the 14th and 15th of December in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This exclusive gathering of the heads of the most successful corporations in the region aspires to become the seminal annual event for deliberating the course businesses need to take as they seek to make Asia the business hub of the world.

Over 400 C-level executives from all across Asia and around the globe will gather to discuss trending leadership topics such as the need for Asia Inc. to come together, understanding the route needed to take Asian businesses global, understanding the unique financial models needed to fuel future growth and setting the framework for sustainable and continuous growth. It also shines a light on ASEAN, a key Asian organization that drives inclusive growth opportunities and serves as a beacon for the experts in attendance. Together, they will ponder upon ways to successfully assert Asia’s position as the torchbearer of the global economy.

There will additionally be a pair of industry specific round tables focused on healthcare, hospitality & tourism, banking & finance and infrastructure, all of which are vital to the economic and social growth of the region at large. Ambassador Ong Keng Yong (Former Secretary-General, ASEAN & Executive Deputy Chairman, S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) and Dang Thi Hoang Yen (President, Tan Tao University & Member, ASEAN Business Advisory Council) will also highlight how ASEAN is a global fulcrum of manufacturing and trade in addition to being one of the fastest-growing consumer markets in the world. With regional businesses seeking to deepen ties and capture an even greater share of global trade, its economic profile is rising, making a crucial piece of the global economic jigsaw.

Through a series of interactive panel discussions, candid unconferencing sessions, live talks and interviews with the most influential leaders and networking meetings, the conclave will provide a much needed platform for Asian business leaders to voice their concerns and share best practices. Cumulatively, this is a platform that strives to help cement Asia’s position as the most sought after business destination on the global map.

This is inarguably an exciting time for the region economically, and the conclave seeks to shine a light on the regional hubs that have propelled Asia into prominence, namely, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, the People’s Republic of China and South-east Asia

The Economic Times Asian Business Leaders Conclave will witness a confluence of power-packed names, with the Chief Guest address being delivered by the Hon. Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Sri Haji Mohammad Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak and Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed, Hon. Minister of International Trade and Industry, Malaysia taking his place as the Guest of Honour amidst a galaxy of upcoming and established stars of Asia Inc., such as Bo Lingam (President & Group Chief Operating Officer, Air Asia), Tan Sri Dato' Seri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun (Founder & Advisor, Berjaya Corporation, Malaysia), Guru Gowrappan (Global MD, Ali Baba, China), Saleh Al Turki (Chairman & President, Nesma Holding, Saudi Arabia), Ambassador Ong Keng Yong (Former Secretary-General, ASEAN & Executive Deputy Chairman, S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Anson Chan (Chairman & CEO, Bonds Group of Companies, Hong Kong), Suneeta Reddy (MD, Apollo Hospitals Groups), Dang Thi Hoang Yen (President, Tan Tao University & Member, ASEAN Business Advisory Council), A Vaideesh (Managing Director - India and VP - South Asia, Glaxo Smith Kline, India), Amit Midha (President, APJ Commercial, Dell EMC, Singapore), and Vijay Karia (Chairman & Managing Director, Ravin Group of Companies, India) amongst many others.

The forum will consist of some of the most immersive, engaging and interactive conferencing formats, such as keynote presentations, networking meetings, unconferencing sessions, round table discussions and fire side chats all of which are sure to see fascinating insights come to the fore. The conclave will also be commemorated by the launch of two coffee table books, The Economic Times Most Influential Business Leaders of Asia and The Economic Times Most Promising Business Leaders of Asia, both of which promise to immortalize the achievements of Asia’s upcoming and established business leaders.

Speaking ahead of the occasion, Deepak Lamba (President, Times Strategic Solutions), shared his thoughts, stating “The Asian market is growing exponentially, and skillful, collaborative management is needed to ensure that Asian companies enhance their competitiveness on the world stage. Now more than ever, it is critical for these captains of change to collaborate and work towards a stronger and economically independent, but not isolated Asia, and The Economic Times Asian Business Leaders Conclave fills this modern-day need.”

The event has the endorsement and full support of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), which is responsible for policies covering international trade, industry development and investment in Malaysia. The event is further supported by the Consortium of Indian Industries in Malaysia (CIIM), ASEAN INDIA Business Council, and the Malayasia India Business Council (MIBC).  

As such, the Economic Times Asian Business Leaders Conclave is a powerhouse platform that promises to keep Asia in the Ascendancy.

About ET Edge:

Times Strategic Solutions Ltd., functional under the brand name ET Edge, is an Economic Times initiative founded to empower multiple industries and segments by sharing critical business knowledge through focused exhibitions and strategic conferences and summits. Encompassing the business vista, ET Edge strives to bring together visionaries and key leaders on its knowledge platforms to create social and business environment conducive to the positive changes required by the industry. The main aim of this initiative is to channel global business intelligence through exhibitions, summits and conferences in overarching lectures, hands-on workshops, panels, roundtables and case studies and more.