“Gateway to ASEAN” is an annual regional conference organized by UOB in countries within ASEAN where it has business operations. This year, Vietnam was chosen as the destination for the event because UOB sees the country, with a population exceeding 100 million, as “a shining star” and believes it has the potential to become the fastest-growing economy in the region within the next 3-5 years.

This year’s conference will be held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s most dynamic city, on September 6 at the Thiskyhall Sala Convention Center, 5th Floor, Grand Skylar. Over 600 guests, including economists, government and trade partners, and business leaders from countries and territories within ASEAN such as China, Hong Kong (China), and elsewhere, will attend to discuss the immense potential of ASEAN as a whole and Vietnam specifically.

“Gateway to ASEAN” 2024 introduces the major opportunities and potential of ASEAN and the strong rise of the region compared to other regions around the world such as the EU and the US, etc., and where UOB, with the most extensive trade network in ASEAN, connects the dynamic area with the rest of the world and helps businesses in the region grow stronger.

At this third edition, this year’s conference centers around the theme “ASEAN: Crossroad to the World”. Speakers will discuss key factors driving economic growth in the region, government policies to facilitate cross-border transactions, supply chain diversification, promoting the digital economy, and moving towards net-zero emissions. It also reaffirms UOB’s commitment to ASEAN’s economic development and sustainable growth.

Opening panel discussion: ‘Innovation and Sustainability: The twin engines propelling ASEAN’s continued growth’

In this opening panel, leaders from Hong Kong (China) and Malaysia will share diverse perspectives on the main driving forces behind the dynamic growth of ASEAN. The Fung Group, a pioneer in the consumer goods supply chain, embodies sustainability as its business and global imperative to develop sustainable supply chains and produce sustainable products, while Silverlake Axis champions innovation from finance to fintech, creating technologies to enable the digital economy.

Distinguished speakers:

- Mr. William Fung, Group Deputy Chairman, Fung Group
- Mr. Goh Peng Ooi, Founder and Group Executive Chairman, Silverlake Axis
Moderator: Mr. Heng Koon How, Head of Markets Strategy, Global Economics and Markets Research, UOB

Fireside Chat: ‘ASEAN: The Epicenter of Growth for Trade’

In a Fireside Chat between Mr. Frederick Chin, Head of Group Wholesale Banking and Markets at UOB, and Mr. Kevin Huang, Chief Operating Officer at South China Morning Post, attendees will hear from a banking leader and media veteran as they shine the spotlight on ASEAN as the world’s economic dark horse and how businesses can look to diversify their investments and capture new growth opportunities in the region.

There will also be three panel breakout sessions:

- Breakout Session 1: Growing in ASEAN through Vietnam
- Breakout Session 2: Innovating with Sustainability
- Breakout Session 3: Managing Supply Chains Showcase

The content of these discussions shares perspectives from top brands on how they establish supply chains, expand into Vietnam, and develop sustainably in order to seize opportunities in ASEAN, where the world economy intersects.

The event will be livestreamed directly on VnEconomy’s fanpage (https://www.facebook.com/vneconomy.vn) at 9.15am on September 6, 2024.

Interested readers can find further information on the event at: https://events.searix.net/uobgta/.