Business Leaders From 34 Countries To Convene At The World Economic Forum’s Asia Roundtable In Singapore

The World Economic Forum released more details today on its Asia Roundtable, which starts in Singapore in just one week’s time. More than 250 leaders from business, government, civil society and the media from 34 countries will convene in Singapore on 28 and 29 April to identify critical issues and generate insights necessary to develop the right strategic response to the region’s growing global economic and political influence. Under the working theme, “Tilting the global balance: the strategic implications of Asia's growth”, the Asia Roundtable will be conducted in a highly interactive manner aimed at promoting a candid exchange of views and knowledge among participants. The Roundtable is hosted in partnership with Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).

The programme of the Asia Roundtable will be focused around the following sub-themes:

• The business impact of the geopolitics of Asia
• The impact of China and India on Asian competitiveness and future growth
• The future supply of key natural resources and its impact on regional relations
• The growing trade and investment ties between the Middle East and Asia
• Prospects for Asia’s financial integration and strategies to address the possible revaluation of the Chinese yuan

With the full support of the government of Singapore, Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lee Hsien-Loong will host a welcome reception at the Istana on the first evening. A special “conversation with Minister Mentor Lee Kuan-Yew” will take place at the closing plenary. Minister Raymond Lim Siang Keat, Second Minister for Finance and for Foreign Affairs, as well as Minister Lim Hng-Kiang, Minister for Trade and Industry, will also be speaking at the Roundtable. Other prominent public figures who have confirmed their participation so far are:

• His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, who will lead the senior delegation of prominent political and business leaders from the Middle East joining the Roundtable to discuss the burgeoning trade and investment ties between the two regions.
• Prime Minister Tsakhiagiyn Elbegdorj of Mongolia, whose country today is experiencing a mining boom, will once again take part actively in the Roundtable.
• Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson of the European Commission will address “Asia’s New Trade Growth” session.
• From Japan, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Ichiro Aisawa will address the session on “The Strategic Impact of Asia’s Economic Growth”.
• From the Republic of Korea, Minister of Trade Kim Hyun-Chong will address the session on “The Keys to Asia’s Success”.

Chua Taik Him, Assistant Managing Director, Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), said, “The World Economic Forum is a long-time partner of Singapore, having held several of its East Asia Economic Summits here for over a decade. This year marks the first time that Singapore is hosting the Forum's Asia Roundtable, welcoming key leaders in business, government and society from all over the world. This year’s theme is particularly relevant as the changes in Asia are likely to affect developments in the entire world.”

“This year’s Asia Roundtable in Singapore is clearly timely. The excellent participation from both the private and public sectors reflects the need for leaders from all sectors to begin addressing the key strategic issues that are directly linked to Asia’s future growth and integration. The goal of the Roundtable is a frank exchange on both the challenges and opportunities that will be the focus of the coming months,” said Lee Howell, Director, Asia, World Economic Forum.

Co-Chairs of the Roundtable are: Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties, United Arab Emirates; Jiang Jianqing, Chairman and President, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China; John Chen, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, Sybase, USA; Michael Hawker Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Insurance Australia Group (IAG), Australia; and Koh Boon-Hwee, Chairman, Singapore Airlines, Singapore. A list of participants is attached.