With over 1000 attendees joining a range of highly informative panels and intense discussions on a range of topics on ASEAN development of the coming years and on the way to achieving the AEC 2015 (ASEAN Economic Community), the 9th ASEAN-BIS in Phnom Penh concluded with a key panel moderated by Cambodia’s Senior Minister, Minister of Commerce and ASEAN Economic Ministers Chair 2012, Cham Prasidh. The discussion, featuring leading economists presenting their institutions’ research visions on the future of ASEAN from 2013 to 2030, gave a lively insight into what will, and what should, be coming for the worlds most attractive investment and business community.
“This Cambodian-hosted ASEAN-BIS Summit raised great interest in ASEAN and its business environment, and the record number of delegates coming to Phnom Penh for these three days is proof that this region remains top of the list for the worlds investment community”, says Neak Oknha Kith Meng, Chairman of ASEAN BAC in 2012. “The global and regional business community places very high hopes on this marketplace and is very curious about its most attractive investment destinations with the greatest growth potentials, such as Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar but of course also its more developed partner markets. Delegates and speakers place a lot of confidence in the opportunities that arise in ASEAN.”
Organised by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) and co-hosted by the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, the ASEAN-BIS is established as an 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 the Cambodian capital.
This year’s ASEAN-BIS included 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; Gilles Plante, CEO Asia of ANZ Banking Group; Dr. Jonathan Choi, Chairman of Sunwah Group, and many more.
Renowned BBC ASIA journalist and ASEAN expert, Rico Hizon, moderated the key sessions of the summit as well as the Gala Dinner and the ASEAN Business Awards (2012 ABA), which recognise the “Most admired ASEAN enterprises” which were handed to 26 outstanding companies, rewarding the most advanced SME’s and large companies in a range of areas such as growth, employment, innovation and corporate social responsibility.
Ruben Hattari, Executive Director of the ASEAN-BAC and the organiser of the annual ASEAN- BIS, is pleased with the strong support of ASEAN Governments and the private sector both from the region and from Cambodia. “This was a very good result with, and the ASEAN-BAC and its members from the 10 ASEAN countries are pleased with the Phnom Penh event.”
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.
More information and photos from the event (uploaded Monday, 19th of November) can be found at www.asean-bis.com.