Programme

0800-0900

Registration

0910-0920

Welcome Remarks

Associate Professor Simon Tay, Chairman, Singapore Institute of International Affairs

0920-1000

Resilience in Innovation: Capitalising on New Global Disruptors

Singapore’s ASEAN Chairmanship comes at a time of rapid transformation and challenges on many fronts. The region is in need of funding to address its massive infrastructure gaps and China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) offers some promising solutions. Technological advances are redefining global value chains and the broader trade ecosystem. At the same time, growing transboundary threats – such as terrorism, climate change and cybersecurity – are calling into question how ASEAN economies can simultaneously stay competitive, build resilience and develop in a sustainable manner.

• How are new technological trends and the BRI impacting the global trade and financial ecosystem?
• What are the emerging demands of the future economy and how can Singapore and ASEAN meet these challenges?
• How can Singapore, as a financial centre, set an example for ASEAN by ensuring more capital flows to green projects such as renewable energy and green buildings?

 

In conversation with Mr. Heng Swee Keat, Minister for Finance, Singapore

Moderator: Associate Professor Simon Tay, Chairman, Singapore Institute of International Affairs

1000-1100

Panel 1: Powering ASEAN’s Infrastructure through Green Finance

Singapore, as a leading financial centre, is facing growing pressure to consider sustainability in its financing activities. While the infrastructure sector presents huge opportunities in ASEAN – an estimated $1.7 trillion per year until 2030 – there remains much room for private financing. In the face of possible high environmental and social costs, green finance offers a promising solution by addressing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) risk factors at the early stages. In serving the region’s financing needs, Singapore can play a pivotal role to mainstream green finance and facilitate more capital flows into sustainable infrastructure.

• What challenges do businesses face when developing infrastructure projects in ASEAN and how can governments address them?
• How can Singapore-based financial institutions balance between short-term profit considerations and long-term sustainability outcomes?
• What are some of the incentives needed to encourage more financial institutions in Singapore to adopt sustainability frameworks (e.g. Equator Principles)?

Panelists

1. Ms. Rana Karadsheh-Haddad, Country Manager – Singapore, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
2. Mr. Colin Chen, Managing Director, Head of Structured Finance Asian Investment Banking Division, MUFG Bank
3. Mr. Harold Tjiptadjaja, Managing Director and Chief Investment Officier, Indonesia Infrastructure Finance (IIF)
4. Mr. Tan Cheng Guan, Head, Renewables & Environment Business, Sembcorp Industries Ltd

Moderator:

Associate Professor Simon Tay, Chairman, Singapore Institute of International Affairs

1100-1130

Networking Brunch

1130-1230

Panel 2: ASEAN 4.0 –Making Disruption and Digitalisation Work in ASEAN

Industry 4.0 is expected to unlock ASEAN’s next growth chapter. As a new engine for long term economic growth, the digital economy is set to transform the region, generate jobs, create new sectors and promote inclusive growth across the region. Although this next phase of growth will result in ASEAN economies becoming more competitive and resilient, the task at hand is considerable. ASEAN’s uneven regulations, digital divide and large connectivity deficits continue to present huge roadblocks.

• Why is ASEAN’s digital economy growing and how can ASEAN leaders balance between the new risks and opportunities it presents?
• How can governments work with businesses to create incentives to improve ASEAN MSMEs’ participation in emerging global value chains?
• What role can financial institutions play in promoting better banking experiences for consumers shopping online?

Panelists:

1. Mr. Peter Ong Boon Kwee, Chairman, Enterprise Singapore
2. Mr. Ang Choo Pin, Senior Director, Government & Corporate Affairs, Asia, Expedia Group
3. Mr. Alexis Philippe Lanternier, Chief Executive Officer, Lazada Singapore
4. Mr. Amol Gupte, ASEAN Head and Citi Country Officer, Singapore, Citi

Moderator:

Ms. Chen Chen Lee, Director, Policy Programmes, Singapore Institute of International Affairs

1230-1245

Closing Remarks

Associate Professor Simon Tay, Chairman, Singapore Institute of International Affairs

*Conference programme is subject to changes (updated 29 August 2018)