CONFERENCE

ASEAN Integration into the Global Economy Conference 2015

October 14, 2015 in Tower Club Makati, Philippines

Overview:

To ensure that benefits from the ASEAN Community are shared among all ASEAN Member States, it is important to have an understanding of the varying stages of their economic development and the development gaps that exist between and among them. The Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) and Narrowing the Development Gap (NDG) are two of ASEAN’s frameworks that aim to address these development issues. Both frameworks recognize the value of addressing sub regional issues to support ASEAN-wide goals.

The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) shall be the goal of regional economic integration by 2015. AEC envisages the following key characteristics: (a) a single market and production base, (b) a highly competitive economic region, (c) a region of equitable economic development, and (d) a region fully integrated into the global economy.

With a market of over 600 million consumers and combined GDP of nearly US$3 trillion, ASEAN is vibrant and growing, offering a future to its people of increasing prosperity and stability. The AEC is one of the foundations of that future.

This is a significant opportunity for all members, however, with this comes challenges, and companies across the region will have to adapt to the new system - with new local and regional legislation to take into account, as well as changes required all across aspects of business in the region.

ASEAN Integration into the Global Economy Conference 2015 will bring together leading minds from government and private sectors to explore issues in detail, forge partnerships and devise solutions on the legal, business and sustainability challenges of the AEC.

The themes of the conference is as follows:

Comparative Analysis of International & Regional Organizations
ASEAN as home for your investment
Harmonizing ASEAN and mutual recognition arrangement between member countries: Simple Rules, Greater Access
Significance of SME’s in the ASEAN Integration
ASEAN Economic Outlook for 2016
Challenges and Opportunities of Integration: Shared Market, Shared Benefits
ASEAN Professionals on the Move: Best people and best practices

Who should attend?

Board Members
C-Level
Senior Levels
Managers
Department Heads
Global and Local Corporations
Financial Industry Leaders
Institutional Investors
Advisors

Why Attend?

Benefit from the expertise of policy-makers, business leaders, investors and region’s leading authorities on how they are preparing for ASEAN Integration
Discover key concepts and solutions vital to coping with the challenges of integration.
Gain Insights from experts on policies and business strategies required to maximize opportunities
Enjoy access to colleagues and leaders from every facet of the ASEAN Economic Community
Explore new partnership with decision makers in the region’s private and government institution

Tentative Agenda:

8:30AM - 9:00AM Registration & Networking

9:00AM - 9:10AM Opening/Government Address

9:15AM - 9:30AM Keynote Speaker

9:35AM - 9:50AM Special Address

* Mr. Zeno Ronald Abenoja, Director-Department of Economic Research, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

9:55AM - 10:45AM Panel Session: Comparative Analysis of International & Regional Organizations

Understanding of the varying stages of their economic development and the development gaps that exist between and among the members and navigating ASEAN Governance and its successful function that aim to address these development issues.

* Dr. Alan Bollard, Executive Director, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Secretariat

* Mr. Chris Humphrey, Executive Director, EU-ASEAN Business Council

* Mr. Walter van Hattum, Counselor, Head of Economics & Trade Section, Delegation of European Union to the Philippines

* Mr. Jayant Menon, Lead Economist (Trade and Regional Cooperation), ERCI, Asian Development Bank

10:45AM -11:15AM Coffee break and networking session

11:15AM -11:45AM ASEAN Home for your Investment

As ASEAN strives to fully integrate, other surrounding countries are already positioning themselves for the benefits of a single regional market. How transformative will these capital inflows be for the region's economies as a whole? Does AEC better benefits the ASEAN members or are there more benefits to outside investors? What impacts will the ASEAN Economic Community have on the local businesses? What benefit will AEC bring to local business, at what investment?

* Mr. Jayant Menon, Lead Economist (Trade and Regional Cooperation), ERCI, Asian Developement Bank

11:50AM- 12:30PM Panel: Harmonizing ASEAN and mutual recognition arrangments between member countries

Simple Rules, Greater Access

How can ASEAN countries develop common rules and policies despite their differences? What trade facilitation measures have the ASEAN member states organized? Are there agreements, policies and laws that will allow a modern, comprehensive, high-quality and mutually beneficial economic partnership with ASEAN members and its partners?

* National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) - Tentative

12:35PM -1:35PM Networking Lunch

1:45PM - 2:30PM Significance of SME's in the ASEAN Integration (ASEAN Economic Community AEC)

A key component of the AEC is to enhance the competitiveness and expansion of small and medium enterprises . Are SME's able to benefit from the financial facilities and market opportunities available? Will the AEC assist SME's to attain sustainable growth? Can SME's in one country see benefit from synergies with their counterpart in neighbouring states?

*Mr. Paulo Tibig, President and CEO of V Cargo

2:35PM-3:00PM ASEAN Economic Outlook for 2016

Understanding business leaders' assessments of outlooks on business and opportunities in the ASEAN region. The region's overall economic outlook and where ASEAN companies expansion plans.

* Mr. Chris Humphrey, Executive Director, EU-ASEAN Business Council

3:05PM - 3:45PM Challenges and opportunities of integration

Shared market, shared benefits

A number of ASEAN-based & multinational companies have already begun positioning themselves for an ASEAN Economic Community single market. These companies are expanding in specific countries and across the region. Consolidation through mergers and acquisitions is likely, based on other 'single-market' and is expected to accelerate as the AEC is adopted, with competition likely to intensify. What are the key strategic and tactical drivers behind successful AEC campaign in the Global context? What are the potential challenges and opportunities for companies operating in the ASEAN Economic Community? Is your business ready?

* Mr. Stefano Poli, Managing Director and President, TMEIC Asia Pte. Ltd.

3:45PM - 4:00PM Coffee Break & Networking

4:05PM - 4:20PM ASEAN Education System, Human Resources Development & Capacity Building

What do ASEAN Member States’ need to do to make their national higher education programs and the region’s whole higher education system ready and competitive for ASEAN 2016 and beyond, a lot of effort has been made by individual ASEAN Member States: BUT as a region? What is the current strategy and what are the action plans for the Philippine Higher Education program? What are the challenges facing educators as well as the parents and students of 2016 and beyond, right now? How ready is the ASEAN Higher Education system for standardization in 2016?

* Atty. Lily Freida T. Macabangun-Milla, Director of International Affairs Staff of the Commission on Higher Education

4:25PM -5:30PM ASEAN Professionals on the Move

Best people and best practices

The diversity of talent found in the ASEAN member countries offers a major benefit for employers in this region. ASEAN members have agreed with skill standards and a certification framework in order to develop human capital in ICT related jobs. Mutual Recognition Arrangement for certified professionals will change the way careers across the ASEAN region. Can ASEAN member countries create the cohesion by recognizing academic levels and research in technology? How will your government deal with impact of the ASEAN Economic Community on jobs in your country?

* Ms. Liza Mapagu, CEO, HR Avatar Asia