Sponsored by J.P. Morgan, this half-day symposium is composed of three panel discussions and a lunch where experts will discuss macro issues relating to global competitiveness in Asia. It also sets out to advance thinking and knowledge that enables the global economy to remain productive in the long term.

Despite limited natural resources, Asia’s economic performance and competitiveness has performed well, with Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan in the top 10 ranking of the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index. Indonesia and the Philippines are also rapidly gaining ground, while China leads the BRICS economies by a wide margin as its institutional framework improves and its financial market matures. Those Asian economies with strong institutions and ample innovative capacity have the ability to do better than its neighbors without these assets. This half day symposium aims to address macro issues relating to global competitiveness in Asia, and sets out to advance thinking and knowledge that enables the global economy to remain productive in the long term.


Panel I:

Competitiveness in Asia: Maintaining Innovation for Economic Growth
Asia’s share of the global economy has risen to a third, with an average annual growth rate of close to six percent in the past decade. Yet while the performance and competitiveness of Asian countries improves, the disparities among countries are more pronounced. What are the regional trends for competitiveness and who are the competitive champions?

• Greg Clark, Global Fellow, Metropolitan Programme and Global Cities Initiative, The Brookings Institution
• Michael J. Enright, Sun Hung Kai Properties Professor, Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Hong Kong
• Sun Bae Kim, Professor (Practice) of Economics, Department of Strategy and Policy, National University of Singapore Business School
• Trisha Suresh, Co-Editor, Global City Competitiveness Index, Economist Intelligence Unit (Moderator)

Panel II:

China’s Trajectory and Implications for Asia and the World

As China’s economy evolves, it can no longer rely on cheap labor to advance to the next stage of development. What is China’s model of development and how can China and other nations cooperate to improve regional and global competitiveness?

• Liu Mingkang, Former Chairman, China Banking Regulatory Commission; BCT Distinguished Research Fellow, Institute of Global Economics and Finance, Chinese University of Hong Kong
• Jing Ulrich, Managing Director and Vice Chairman of Asia Pacific, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
• Jonathan Woetzel, Director, China, McKinsey & Company
• Xiao Geng, Vice President of Research & Senior Fellow, Fung Global Institute
• Ronnie C. Chan, Co-Chair, Asia Society; Chairman, Hang Lung Properties (Moderator)

Luncheon Panel Discussion:

Sustainable Solutions to Global Problems: Powering Up G20 for the Emerging Intra-Asia Dynamic

The evolution of a western-dominated G8 to a more inclusive G20 reflects a new equilibrium in which Asia has much greater weight. With Australia chairing the G20 in 2014, what meaningful purpose does the G20 serve and how can macro policies be better coordinated to restore growth?

• Dr. Alan Bollard, Executive Director, APEC Secretariat
• Janaline Oh, Deputy Consul-General of Australia & Former Director of G20 projects in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
• Jesus Seade, Vice-President & Sydney S.W. Leong Chair of Economics, Lingnan University; Former Senior Advisor and Assistant Director, IMF
• Anoop Singh, Former Director, Asia, International Monetary Fund; Managing Director, Regulatory Policy Development and Strategy, Asia Pacific, JP Morgan
• Alejandro Reyes, Consultant, World Economic Forum; Former Project Manager, G20 Business Summit (Moderator)