MEDIA RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 23, 2003
BUSINESSMEN AND HEADS OF GOVERNMENT TO UNDERLINE TRADE OPPORTUNITIES AND BUSINESS INTERGRATION AT THE ASEAN-BIS SUMMIT
The ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ASEAN-BIS) to be held in Bali, Indonesia from October 4-7 will serve as an ideal platform bringing businessmen and heads of Government together in outlining the creation of business integration amongst the 10 member ASEAN nations.
To date, 11 heads of Governments, have already committed to delivering key note addresses at the inaugural summit organised by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), with topics centred on maximising on investment opportunities between member countries as well as with ASEAN partner nations like China, Japan, Korea and India. The Summit is held in conjunction with the ASEAN Summit that will be from October 6-8.
Those who will speak at the summit include Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Indian Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun.
Dr Mahathir is scheduled to speak on The ASEAN Business Climate, while other topics will underline business opportunities and partnerships between ASEAN and countries like Japan, China and India.
The Sultan of Brunei H.M. Haji Hassanal Bolkiah meanwhile, will speak on The Synergy in ASEAN Diversity, while Philippines President Gloria M. Macapagal-Arroyo will touch on Intra-ASEAN Growth Areas and ASEAN Integration Efforts.
Singaporean Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong will address ASEAN's Global Competitiveness Outlook and Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will elaborate on Integrating ASEAN's National Economies. Also present will be Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai.
Seven key areas identified to creating an integrated and competitive regional economy will also be discussed in greater detail by a panel comprising business leaders, professionals and specialists in their respective fields starting October 4 before the official launch by Megawati on October 5.
The seven focus areas are;
- agriculture, plantations, food and processing, fisheries, timber and wood products
- infrastructure, energy, mining, industrial tools and heavy equipment, transportation, chemicals and plastics
- finance, banking, investments and property
- logistics, tourism and trade
- education, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and herbal medicines
- electronics, information technology and telecommunications and;
- consumer products, textiles, garments, shoes and jewelry.
"While extensive efforts are being made by ASEAN member countries to encourage foreign direct investment there is also a greater opportunity for businessmen from within the region to invest in ASEAN," said Chairman of the ASEAN-BAC Rudy J. Pesik.
"To register even more growth in both FDI and intra-ASEAN trade, there must be an integration of initiatives that would not only facilitate business within the region but also transform ASEAN into a more globally competitive player. That way, FDI will be made even more attractive as foreigners now find themselves dealing with a population of 550 million in ASEAN and not just limited to a population of any one member country.
"This is the objective of the Summit and what the respective leaders of member nations as well as from countries like Japan, India, China and Korea will be there to address."
Also attending the Summit will be a delegation of businessmen from China, India, Japan and Korea as well as representatives from the business community in Algeria, Holland, France, the United States and Mexico.
"At the end of the day, it is the ASEAN-BAC's aspiration that the Summit will serve as a launching pad creating opportunities for businessmen from within the region."
The ASEAN-BAC that concluded their fourth official meeting in Putrajaya today (September 23) will also be forwarding their recommendation to the heads of Government on measures to encourage this.
The decision to form the ASEAN-BAC was taken at the seventh ASEAN Summit in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei two years ago but its formation could only be realised on April 10, 2003. ASEAN-BAC comprises business leaders from member countries who are appointed to enable the private sector's input to be factored into the policy making processes governing economic co-operation.
For registration contact the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit organising committee at tel: 6221-3190-1987, fax: 6221-3190-1620, e-mail to: info@aseanbis.com or visit the website at www.aseanbis.com. Registration closes on September 27, 2003.
