2nd Asian Business Conference explores readiness of businesses to 2015 integration

MANILA, Philippines - The Asian Institute of Management (AIM) and the AIM Alumni Association are organizing the 2nd Asian Business Conference, which explores the readiness of businesses to the 2015 ASEAN integration. This will be on June 26 and 27at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel and the AIM campus, both in Makati City.

With the theme “2015 Approaching: Priming for ASEAN Integration”, the conference also examines the key drivers and challenges in the lead-up to the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015, which envisions members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) forming a single market and production base.

The two-day conference will also explore various facets and implications of AEC through several track sessions: Harnessing Banking and Financial Markets; Realizing ASEAN’s Full Human Capital Potential; Strengthening Connectivity; Strengthening Leadership and Governance; and Building a Resilient ASEAN Economic Community. 

“The discussions in the conference will examine the assumptions of benefits brought about by economic integration, and how these will actually give rise to a cohesive and vibrant ASEAN that is capable of competing with the larger economies on the global stage,” explains AIM president Dr. Steven J. DeKrey. “On the conceptual level, AEC means a free flow of goods, services, investments, and capital, as well as equitable economic development and reduced poverty and inequality—but what would all these mean if majority of ASEAN’s 600 million people are unaware of or unprepared for an ASEAN AEC?” 

Dr. DeKrey further points out that AEC’s vision of having a single market and production base rests largely on the region’s people. “ASEAN needs to harness its diversity and size to help achieve the goals of economic integration,” he remarks. “Beyond awareness, we must be able to bring out the creativity and innovation across different populations to diversify industries and boost competitiveness, especially for small and medium enterprises, which make up over 90 percent of businesses in ASEAN.”

He adds that there are compelling reasons to do business in ASEAN. “We are in developing countries that are growing. That is exciting. We are in developing countries that are integrating. That is unique,” he says, adding that there should be motivation to do more at a quicker pace, as 2015 is coming very soon.

“The conference aims to bring together representatives from various sectors to engage in a dialogue with business leaders, ask the right questions, and determine the ways forward for us to collectively benefit from AEC,” Dr. DeKrey notes. 

Among the featured guest speakers are: Dr. Nalinee Taveesin, minister and permanent representative of the Royal Thai government; Dato Timothy Ong, chairman and founder of Asia Inc. Forum; Serge Pun, executive chairman of Yoma Strategic Holdings; Dr. Suthad Setboonsarng, senior adviser of BowerGroupAsia; Sir David K. Newbigging, OBE, chairman of Kennedy Financial Services Limited; Diosdado Banatao, Founder and managing partner of Tallwood Venture Capital; Paulinus Kuncinas, regional editor, Asia, Oxford Business Group; Rodolfo Severino, head of ASEAN Studies Centre, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies; Bob Hekkelman, CEO of JWT Southeast Asia; Iwan Azis, head of the Office Regional Economic Integration, Asian Development Bank; N.R. Narayana Murthy, chairman and chief mentor officer of Infosys Technologies Limited; and Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, chairman and CEO of Ayala Corp. 

Business leaders, entrepreneurs, public servants, the academe, and members of civil society are encouraged to register and contribute to the discussions in the conference. Early bird registration (for payments received on or before April 30, 2014) is P8,500 or $215. Regular registration (for payments received from May 1 to 31, 2014) is P10,000 or $250. Discounts apply to AIM alumni and group registrations (four or more representatives from the same organization).

Interested participants may register online at http://asean.aim.edu or contact the Conference Secretariat at (632) 465 1847.