Bangkok--18 Jul--Nation Group
CEOs from some of Asia’s leading corporations will share their visions and ideas on how businesses can move forward in an increasingly uncertain global economy at Nation Group’s 43rd anniversary conference this morning.
The fully-booked day conference and gala dinner talk with CEO speakers from 10 Asian countries will open with a keynote address by Bank of Thailand Governor Dr. Prasarn Trairatvorakul on the topic of “Asian and Thai economies in a volatile world”.
In his view, although Asian economies over past years have proved to be relatively resilient to the volatility of the global markets, the protracted external demand slowdown has exposed Asia to structural weaknesses that could dampen growth in the periods ahead.
Regional economic cooperation has promising potential to relax some structural constraints faced by many countries in the region, but realizing these opportunities will not be easy, nor will they be automatic, will be the challenging message from the Thai central bank chief.
The “Asia Driving the World” conference will be attended by more than 500 top international and Thai business executives at the Plaza Athenee Hotel. The event is being co-hosted by Bangkok Bank, Toyota, Holcim Ltd, AIS and Thai Airways International in association with Asia News Network, an alliance of 22 media in 19 Asian countries.
Speakers are CEOs from Japan, Singapore, China, Myanmar, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia,and Thailand. The evening will be capped with a gala dinner address on “The Future of Asia” by Dr Surakiart Sathirathai, former Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, and Chairman of the Asian Peace and Reconciliation Council.
The day conference is divided into two sessions — the first on ‘Business Visions 2020’ moderated by Suthichai Yoon, Chairman of Nation Multimedia Group Plc, and the second on ‘Asia: Sustainable Business Models’ moderated by Meidyatama Suryodinigrat, Member of the Board, Asia News Network and Chief Editor, The Jakarta Post, Indonesia.
Kyoichi Tanada, Managing Officer, Toyota Motor Corporation, in his talk will outline the dynamic of Toyota and hint at what lies ahead for the region in terms of investment and the future of the auto industry. Chartsiri Sophonpanich, President of Bangkok Bank, will divulge what he sees as the dynamic of the Asean Economic Community.
Other CEOs in this session are Dato Paduka Timothy Ong Teck Mong, Chairman, Asia Inc Forum, Brunei Darussalam; Ngo Thanh Tung, Chairman, Vietnam International Law Firm, U Zaw Zaw, Chairman, Max Myanmar Group; and Paul Blanche-Horgan, CEO, Ezecom Corp, Cambodia.
In the second roundtable, Dr Sorajak Kasemsuvan President, Thai Airways International, will lead the discussion on the carrier’s business model continuing with Paul Hugentobler, Member of Executive Committee South Asia and Asean, Holcim, looking at the growth momentum of Asian and Asean infrastructure development. Ho Kwon Ping, Executive Chairman, Banyan Tree Holdings, will divulge his views on the hospitality business of the future.
Other speakers in this session are Oudet Souvannavong, Vice President, Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Vientiane, Laos; Mr Yeap Swee Chuan, Chairman and CEO AAPICO Hitech Pcl, Kuala Lumpur/Bangkok; and Professor Edward KY Chen, Chairman, Advisory Council of Hong Kong Institute of Monetary Research, Hong Kong Monetary Authority and Former Chairman, Hong Kong Committee of Pacific Economic Cooperation.
Dr. Surakiart will cap off the evening with his special talk on “The Future of Asia” including the progress made by the Asian Peace and Reconciliation Council which was formed with eminent personalities to forge peace in conflict areas of Asia.
The conference will be opened by Mr. Felix Soh, Chairman of the Board of Editors, Asia News Networkand Editor, New Media, Singapore Press Holdings.