Asean takes limelight at HK finance forum

Senior Asean leaders and Asean-related themes will figure prominently at the upcoming Asian Financial Forum (AFF) in Hong Kong, to be organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Hong Kong SAR government on Jan. 19 and 20.

Leading Asean speakers include Cesar V. Purisima, secretary of finance of the Philippines; Kasit Piromya, foreign affairs adviser to the Democrat Party Leader of Thailand (also former Thai minister of foreign affairs), Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Abu Bakar Suleiman, chair of IHH Healthcare Berhad; Teresita Sy-Coson, vice chair of SM Investments Corp., and Tony Tan Caktiong, chair of Jollibee Foods Corp.

“Asia, with Asean at its core, has emerged as the global leader in growth creation, thanks to the concerted efforts of the region’s economies in facilitating business and investment opportunities,” said HKTDC deputy executive director Raymond Yip. “The Asian Financial Forum will examine Asia’s path to sustaining the momentum and shaping the global macro-economic and financial agenda for the year ahead.”

Sy-Coson and Tan Caktiong will join the panel discussion on Asian development on Jan. 19, which will examine the opportunities and challenges facing international investors in Asia and Asian enterprises seeking global success and recognition. Tan will also host an individual dialogue to share his insights and vision on entrepreneurship.

On Jan. 20, Tan Sri Dr Michael Yeoh, co-founder and chief executive of Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute, will speak at a separate session on the emerging dynamics between China, Asean and the New Silk Road, while Li Yao, CEO of China-Asean Investment Cooperation Fund, will join another session examining the new wave of international finan     cial institutions such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman of Princeton University will share his insights on global growth prospects for the year ahead. Krugman is among the world’s most respected economists, known for his ground-breaking work on international trade and economic geography. He was one of Bloomberg’s 10 Most Influential Thinkers in 2013 and one of Foreign Policy’s Top 100 Global Thinkers for four straight years (2009-2012).