The 2012 ASEAN-BIS is just 4 weeks away and already reports a record number of sponsors and participants. Now in its 9th year, the Business Summit organised by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), is established as the official side-event to the ASEAN Leaders Summit and the East Asia Summit (EAS), where no less than 16 Heads of States and Governments convene in Phnom Penh to meet the region’s private sector.
The program of the 2012 ASEAN-BIS, to be held at the Hotel Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, is closely being coordinated between ASEAN-BAC, Cambodia’s Ministry of Commerce and the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce.
“Interest is particularly strong this year as we are nearing a key point in ASEAN’s history”, says Cambodia’s Neak Okhna Kith Meng, Chairman of ASEAN-BAC in 2012 and President of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC). “The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) 2015 is a major point of interest for companies throughout the world as ASEAN is fast growing into a key global marketplace with enormous potential for the world economy. The business community wants to know what policies are being put in place, what the opportunities are, and how they can be explored”.
The Business Summit this year sets the stage in highlighting the position of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) vis-à-vis the global community. The expected 700 delegates will discuss the potential for renewable energy in ASEAN; inter-ASEAN connectivity and infrastructure developments; how to create more opportunities for entrepreneurs and SMEs; the socialization of the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA), and how to further promote good corporate governance in ASEAN. In addition, the opportunities that arise in the frontier markets of Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar are a key element of the 2-day event.
This year’s Summit includes prominent speakers such as H.E. Samdech Decho Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia; H.E. Cham Prasidh, Senior Minister and Minister of Commerce; H.E. Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary General of ASEAN; Donald P. Kanak, Chairman of Prudential Corporation Asia; Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Chairman of Toshiba Thailand; Gilles Plante, CEO Asia of ANZ Banking Group, and many more.
Conducted successfully for the past nine years, the 2012 ASEAN-BIS continues to serve as a prime platform for knowledge exchange and networking between the regional business community and ASEAN’s political leaders. The summit provides insight into ASEAN developments by leading corporate, governmental and academic experts who are a major driving force for further ASEAN integration.
One of the highlights of the event is the ASEAN Business Awards (2012 ABA), which recognise the “Most admired ASEAN enterprises”. Renowned BBC ASIA journalist and ASEAN expert, Rico Hizon, will moderate the Gala Dinner as well as other key sessions of the Summit.
More information on the program (to be updated during the coming weeks) can be found at www.asean-bis.com
Members of the media are cordially invited to attend the Summit, and to meet with the key decision makers in ASEAN. Please register at http://asean-bis.com/registration/for-media to make sure you receive a media pass. Please note that security is tight and late registrants might not be admitted. Registration closes on November 12th, 12pm APT.
We advice to book flights and hotels in time, as capacities during the weeklong events in Phnom Penh will be at their limits.
For more information on ASEAN’s main business and investment forum, for interview requests and for information on your registration, please contact asean-bis1@asean-bis.com