Programme

09:30 – 09:35

Introduction

Ms. Seraphim Cheong, Director of Outreach and Special Projects, Singapore Institute of International Affairs

09:35 – 09:40

Welcome Remarks

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

09:40 – 09:55

Opening Keynote – Strategies for Recovery Through Stronger Partnerships

A resurgence in COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia due to the new virus variants threatens to derail the recovery prospects for the region. While Singapore has not been unaffected, it has the opportunity to think about the path forward to emerge stronger. Beyond strengthening and refreshing the domestic economy, Singapore can also find new ways to relate across the region to further deepen its partnerships. Stronger collaboration can also be found in the Alliances for Action (AfAs) on ways that the private and public sector can work together to support growth and find new areas of growth.

• What are the key shifts and trends that economies of the future need to adapt to?
• What are the opportunities for partnerships between Singapore, ASEAN and Asia to emerge stronger from the pandemic fallout?
• What are the various ways in which the private and public sector can deepen collaboration?

Keynote Speaker: Mr. Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development, Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration, Co-Chair of Emerging Stronger Taskforce, Singapore

09:55 – 10:10

In Conversation with Mr. Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development, Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration, Co-Chair of Emerging Stronger Taskforce, Singapore

• How has Singapore’s role as a hub evolved through the COVID-19 pandemic?
• What are the initiatives Singapore has to support regional recovery, for instance in digitalisation and green growth?
• How can businesses deepen regional engagement and B2B collaboration amidst the ‘new normal’ of the pandemic?
• What other socio-economic challenges have arisen from the pandemic that we need to tackle?

 

Speaker: Mr. Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development, Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration, Co-Chair of Emerging Stronger Taskforce, Singapore

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

10:10 – 10:25

Fireside chat: Southeast Asia’s Recovery Path: A View from Indonesia

Speaker: Nadiem Makarim, Minister of Education and Culture of Indonesia, Founder of Gojek

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

• What has been the impact of the COVID-19 in Indonesia in economic and social terms?
• How is Indonesia managing the pandemic and what are its plans and prospects?
• How can ASEAN member states and other countries combine efforts to overcome the pandemic?

10:25 – 11:00

Panel 1 – Southeast Asia’s Recovery Path – The Pandemic, Problems and Prospects

The economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have been vast and deep. ASEAN was previously set to become the fourth largest economy by 2030 but will likely encounter several hurdles in achieving its growth potential. Although the region continues to be an attractive destination for supply chain expansion and relocation, businesses and policy makers will face an increasingly complex and uncertain environment. The pandemic will likely exacerbate social tensions within a country and new strategies will be needed to prevent long-term scarring in ASEAN.

• What has been the impact of the pandemic in ASEAN in economic, political and social terms?
• How are key Southeast Asian economies managing the pandemic and what are their plans and prospects?
• Can ASEAN rebound from the COVID-19 disruption and where do business go next from here?

Panelists

• Mr. Tan Chong Meng, Co-Chair, Emerging Stronger TaskForce; and Group CEO, PSA International
• Mr. Suan Teck Kin, Executive Director & Head of Research, United Overseas Bank (UOB)

Moderator:

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

11:00 – 11:10

Break

11:10 – 11:20

Panel Keynote:

Dr Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Communications and Information & Ministry of Health, Government Whip, Minister-in-charge of GovTech, Singapore

11:20 – 12:10

Panel 2 – Advancing digitalisation in ASEAN and Asia

Tensions created by the Sino-American competition have fractured supply chains and squeezed production lines for semiconductors. Yet there is a chance for technology cooperation as many countries seek to advance their own digitalisation plans that are a vital engine for growth. In ASEAN, a surge in internet and mobile users could add as much as US$1 trillion to regional GDP over the next 10 years. However, hurdles to digital integration and connectivity will need to be tackled due to lack of infrastructure, a gap in digital talent and concerns over cross-border data flows. Digitalisation is transforming business, trade and work and decision makers will need to continuously adapt.

• What is the role of digitalisation in the COVID-19 recovery process?
• How can we tackle the challenges to digital integration in ASEAN in areas of infrastructure, talent and data flows?
• How can we balance between strong regulatory frameworks to foster digital growth and allow for space for innovation?

Panelists:

• Mr. Ben King, Country Director, Google Singapore
• Mr. Michael MacDonald, Group Chief Digital Officer and Executive Consultant, Huawei Asia Pacific
• Ms. IIaria Chan, Group Advisor on Tech & Social Impact, Grab

Moderator:

Mr. Ho Suu Wei, Senior Fellow, Singapore Institute of International Affairs and APAC Public Policy and Economic Graph Director, LinkedIn

12:10 – 12:15

Closing Remarks

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

*Conference programme is subject to changes (updated 5 August 2021)