Programme

0830 – 0900 

Registration 

0900 – 0905 

Welcome Remarks

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

0905 – 0935 

Keynote Dialogue: Strengthening ASEAN and Asia Connectivity – Singapore’s Role

Keynote Speaker: Mr. Chee Hong Tat, Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance, Singapore

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

0935 – 1005

Keynote Dialogue: Financing the Future of ASEAN’s Infrastructure Development

Keynote Speaker: Mr. Jin Liqun, President and Chair of the Board of Directors, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

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

1005 – 1035

Keynote Dialogue: Strengthening ASEAN and Asia Connectivity – Indonesia’s role   

Keynote Speaker: Mr. Suahasil Nazara, Vice Minister of Finance, Indonesia

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

1035 – 1125

Panel 1: Regional Connectivity and Supply Chains: Private Sector Perspectives   

Amid escalating geopolitical risks, the global economy is showing signs of growing fragmentation. Amidst this backdrop, ASEAN has seen a rise in foreign trade and investments, bolstering its connectivity and role as a bridge, with more companies relocating their supply chains to this region. Following the keynotes by policymakers, this panel will focus on the private sector perspectives on how businesses are utilising ASEAN as a hub to fortify their global supply chains.

• How are businesses thinking about supply chains amid geoeconomic uncertainties?  
• How can corporates work together with ASEAN governments to strengthen regional connectivity?

 

Panellists: 

1. Mr. Christopher Ong, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, DHL Express Singapore
2. Mr. Jimmy Koh, Managing Director and Head of Network Partnerships and Strategic Marketing, Group Foreign Direct Investment Advisory, UOB
3. Ms. Seow Hwee, Head of Port Ecosystem Business, Southeast Asia, PSA Corporation Limited

 

Moderator: Mr. Nicholas Fang, Director of Security and Global Affairs, Singapore Institute of International Affairs

1125 – 1145

Tea Break

1145 – 1235 

Panel 2: Enhancing Connectivity between Singapore and Malaysia 

The recently signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Singapore and Malaysia marks a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship, setting the stage for a strategic collaboration through the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). The connectivity forged by the JS-SEZ aims to improve the cross-border flows of goods, people and investment, thus building a strategic bridge to elevate economic development for both Johor and Singapore. Public and private actors from both countries can benefit from collaborating to realise the successful implementation of the JS-SEZ. 

• How can both governments create a robust cooperation framework to facilitate effective collaboration and implementation?
• What are the potential gaps and barriers that may hinder a seamless cross-border connectivity?
• What innovative strategies and technologies can help bridge the gaps?

 

Panel Keynote: Dato’ Onn Hafiz bin Ghazi, Menteri Besar of Johor, Malaysia

Panellists:

1. Dato’ Onn Hafiz bin Ghazi, Menteri Besar of Johor, Malaysia
2. Dr. Chua Hak Bin, Regional Co-Head, Macro Research, Maybank Investment Banking Group
3. Ms. Leong Yee May, Managing Director, South Asia, Equinix Singapore
4. Mr. Teo Siong Seng, Executive Chairman, Pacific International Lines (PIL); and Chairman, Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) Singapore Business Working Group (SBWG)

 

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

1235 – 1305 

Keynote Dialogue: Fostering ASEAN Community Post-2025

Keynote Speaker: Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, former Prime Minister of Thailand

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

1305 – 1405 

Lunch

1405 – 1505 

Panel 3: Digital Transformation and Connectivity – Future of ASEAN’s Digital Economy  

ASEAN’s digital economy has witnessed tremendous growth since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by the region’s rapid adoption of digital technologies and the acceleration of digital transformation across industries. With the digital economy increasingly intertwined with the traditional economy, it has become imperative to strengthen digital connectivity and interoperability both within ASEAN and with its partners.  Meaningful progress in various areas of the digital economy will increasingly be threatened by new challenges like the rise of emerging technologies and ongoing geopolitical risks. New strategies and models of collaborations will need to be developed to ensure the region achieves long-term inclusive and sustainable growth.  

• What are the key regulatory challenges hindering ASEAN’s digital transformation?  
• How can ASEAN leverage on its digital transformation to enhance digital connectivity across the region?  
• What role can public-private partnerships play in accelerating digital infrastructure development and enhancing digital connectivity in ASEAN?

Panel Keynote: Mr. Satvinder Singh, Deputy Secretary General for ASEAN Economic Community, ASEAN Secretariat

Panellists: 

1. Mr. Debarun Roy Choudhury, Head, Commercial & Money Movement Solutions, Regional, SEA, Visa
2. Ms. Jamie Ko, Director, Regional Public Affairs and Policy, Grab
3. Mr. Abraham Thomas, Managing Partner, IBM Consulting, ASEAN
4. Mr. Theodore Sutarto, Assistant Deputy Minister, Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Indonesia

Moderator: Dr. Ming Tan, Founding Executive Director, Tech for Good Institute

1505 – 1515 

Closing Remarks 

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

1515 – 1545 

Tea Break

1545 – 1700 

Closed-door Workshop:
Strengthening Connectivity: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities in ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) Negotiations

The launch of the negotiations of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) marks a significant milestone for the bloc. The DEFA aims to establish rules and standards for the region’s digital economy, part of which includes fostering cross border trade and commerce.  

Achieving a substantive agreement will be challenging considering a range of domestic concerns influenced by key shifts in the current consensus towards data flows. Countries are increasingly reassessing their positions on free trade and cross-border data flows, evidenced in the suspension of talks for the trade pillar of the Indo-Pacific Framework Agreement (IPEF) and the US’s policy reversal on cross-border data flows. Despite significant progress in facilitating digital connectivity within ASEAN, these shifts will pose additional barriers to achieving consensus in the region.

 

• What are some of the regulatory barriers hindering ASEAN’s digital economy?  
• What are the challenges facing ASEAN in the substantive conclusion of DEFA? What are some of the key challenges in facilitating interoperability? 
• How can the private sector work with ASEAN governments to strengthen digital connectivity?
  

 

Discussants:

1. Mr. Satvinder Singh, Deputy Secretary General for ASEAN Economic Community, ASEAN Secretariat
2. Ms. Trisha Suresh, Head of Public Policy, LinkedIn
3. Mr. Yip Shue Heng, Managing Director, and Head of Asia Digital Strategy, MUFG Bank Ltd
4. Mr. Matin Mohdari, Head, Public Policy, Government and Corporate Affairs (Southeast Asia and South Asia), Expedia
5. Ms. Chelsea Su, Marketing Expert, Network Solution Marketing and Sales Department, AP Region, Huawei
6. Mr. Darryn Lim, APAC Head of Trade Policy & Competitiveness, Google    
7. Ms. Teresa Tan, Director, Public Policy, ASEAN & SG, ByteDance

 

Moderator: Dr. Ming Tan, Founding Executive Director, Tech for Good Institute

*Conference programme is subject to changes (updated 19 July 2024)