Emcee Singapore: Charmaine hosted the seventh edition of the Asean Conference 2023 graced by Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Trade & Industry. 

During the engaging in-conversation dialogue with Mr Gan Kim Yong, he shared valuable insights on the latest economic trends, supply chain and free trade agreements, sustainability and digitalisation topics, which are pertinent to Asean. 

Green energy is an area where the Asean nations are complementary, as some countries have excess green energy while others are short of green energy, creating trade and investment opportunities, said the minister.

This year’s Asean Conference is special, as Singapore commemorates Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s birth centenary and we also pay tribute to Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s contribution to the formation of Asean in 1967. A special video was screened to share the formative years of Asean under the leadership of Mr Lee and the other pioneering Asean leaders, and how the region has grown into a cohesive bloc over the years. 

Singapore Business Federation (SBF) signed two strategic partnership MOUs with partners – UOB and Y3 Technologies, which is part of the YCH Group. These two MOUs aim to help Singapore companies in their internationalisation journey, particularly for the Asean region. 

For SBF and UOB, this is a refreshed MOU which is designed to elevate the strategic partnership to a more comprehensive level, covering collaboration in areas of latest information exchange on economic developments, provision of business advisory, support each other’s business events such as seminars, webinars and business networking sessions that will be held in Singapore or overseas. 

For the SBF and Y3 Technologies MOU, the main objective is to assist Singapore companies in offering solutions for their overseas expansion through ecommerce digital sales, including e-marketplace channel management, logistics and fulfilment in key Asean markets. 

In line with the theme of “Forging a Digital and Sustainable Asean – Towards Prosperity, Resilience and Sustainable Growth – In commemoration of LKY100”, the expert speakers offered invaluable insights into the opportunities and challenges for businesses in the region. 

The 3 plenary discussion topics included how to build human capital, how businesses can position themselves for the shift in Asean’s global supply chain, ways to achieve balanced economic growth through digitalisation, as well as how to devise actionable strategies to stay competitive. ​

The first plenary discussion covered “Driving Innovation and Sustainability through Human Capital” moderated by Mr. Tay Woon Teck, Partner, Head of Private Client Services at RSM Singapore, and distinguished panelists.

The second plenary touched on “Positioning for the Shift in ASEAN’s Global Supply Chain” moderated by Ms. Kala ANANDARAJAH, Head of Competition & Antitrust and Trade at Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP.

The final plenary discussion titled “Asean’s Road to Sustainable Digitalisation – Balancing the Odds” was moderated by Mr. Wong Wai Meng, Chief Executive Officer (Data Centres) Keppel Data Centres and Networks Division, Chairman of SGTech and Chair of SBF Digitalisation Committee. The conversation among the panelists revolved around how Asean can achieve sustainable growth while balancing the opportunities and challenges of digitalization. 

Charmaine rounded up this year’s enlightening and fruitful conference, summarizing key takeaways, highlighting successful strategies, and emphasizing the importance of the two interconnected themes of digitalization and sustainability in the Asean region. 

For more information, please check out:

S’pore companies to get more help with breaking into Asean markets | The Straits Times

Diversity among Asean members is a strength: Gan Kim Yong, ASEAN Business – THE BUSINESS TIMES