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JULY 2011 EDITION

www.asli.com.my

~ JULY HIGHLIGHTS ~

RECENT EVENTS
ASEAN-China SME Conference 2011. Jointly organized by ASLI and SME Corp. Endorsed by MITI Malaysia. The ASEAN-China SME Conference organized by SME Corp with the collaboration of Asian Strategy Leadership Institute (ASLI) was conceptualized upon the recent implementation of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) in January, 2010. CAFTA is a monumental agreement for both ASEAN and China as both parties are each others biggest trading partners. This is evidenced by trade between ASEAN and China which grew by an average of 26% per annum between 2003 and 2008. June 8th and 9th 2011 witnessed the congregation of leading entrepreneurs, academia, and experts from the ASEAN region at the ASEAN-China SME Conference 2011 in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center. For two days, approximately 400 conference participants were served with a slew of topics, ranging from logistics to trade finance and from rules and regulations to e-commerce. 37 speakers from ASEAN and one from the United States shared their expert views and thoughts with the audience for two days. Topics and objectives of the conference were especially designed to cater to the needs of SME entrepreneurs in various fields. The conference aimed to bring together entrepreneurs and SMEs from the ASEAN region and China to network and establish business linkages that will capitalise on the vast opportunities created by CAFTA. The Conference commenced with Welcoming Remarks by Datuk Ir Dr Mohamed Al Amin Abd Majid, Chairman, SME Corporation Malaysia and a Keynote Address by Y.B. Dato Mukhriz Mahathir, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry, Malaysia. Y.B. Dato Mukhriz, in his address aptly, urged respective industry stakeholders to find ways to enhance capacity of SMEs in ASEAN as Chinas market gives SMEs a comparative advantage, especially in labour intensive production. This was followed by a Special Address by the People's Republic of Chinas Ambassador to Malaysia, Ambassador Chai Xi. Ambassador Chai noted the importance of the conference and sees this as another effort by the Republic of China to bolster cooperation between China and the ASEAN member countries. In his special address, he assured the audience China is not threat, instead China should be seen as a reliable neighbour who is ever willing to extend a helping hand. This in fact true, as the world has witnessed both regions working hand-in-hand to come out stronger from the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, the recent Global Financial Crisis, the Indian Ocean Tsunami, among many other challenges. Mr. Wang Jinzhen, the Vice-Chairman of China Council for Promotion of International Trade illustrated the extent of the economic cooperation between ASEAN and China which he said, largely reflects their buoyant economies. He captivated the audience as he presented Chinas economic growth in the past 30 years. The Ministerial Forum was one of the major highlights of the conference. The panel comprised of vice ministers, permanent secretaries and Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN. This engaging session highlighted the impact of CAFTA and also bilateral trade prior to the implementation of the agreement. The Deputy Secretary General on the other hand, explained the challenges that he foresees and mechanisms that should be in place to overcome this matter. He also noted that it is crucial to simplify the policies for the people as there is still a lack of understanding of the policies and agreements. Day 1 was followed by another three sessions on understanding rules and regulations for doing business with China, strategies for entrepreneurs in the current economic climate, and e-commerce. The first session was extremely pertinent as one would need to understand the rules and regulation on a country before expanding their before there. Prof Feng Xingyuan emphasized that there are various industrial standards in China and the obstacles imposed by the government in China is to deter foreign SMEs from entering Chinas market. However, trade regulations have in been in place by the government and stressed that there are different industrial standards for SME and other businesses to help the economic growth of the SMEs. While Mr. Tan Yew Sing advised that SMEs need to adopt and adapt the right attitude if they wish to trade with China as although there is vast potential in Chinas market, there exists also many traps and hardships. Mr. Marcus Lee gave an overview of policies in China. This session was then followed by another session on Turning Crisis into Opportunity: Strategies for Entrepreneurs in the Current Economic Climate. This session basically saw speakers sharing ideas with the audience on ways to turn crisis into opportunities. The day came to an end with the session on E-commerce. Three speakers were on this panel and they all discussed the importance of capitalizing on E-commerce. Business challenges faced by SMEs today, in the context of trading with China were thoroughly discussed. Both speakers, Mr Li Jiming from China and Mr. Vincent Ler from IBM Malaysia gave overviews of the increase in internet users in Asia and the importance to leverage on the existing platform for faster and easy entry into the E-commerce market, as well as utilization of FTA B2B platform to increase inter-regional trades. e-Procurement in business was also presented by Datuk Fikri and he noted that it is the way forward for businesses given the vast benefits of such a system to SMEs. Day 2 of the conference saw other ASEAN heavyweights making their presence at the conference. Day 2 had 3 sessions; starting with sessions on Logistics and Value Chain System, Trade Finance, and The Way Forward. The session on Logistics and Value Chain System saw three prominent figures from the logistic sector of Malaysia: MASKargo, Century Logistics Holding Bhd, and Konsortium Logistik. All three panelists shared their experiences being in the business, the challenges that they have faced, and ways to overcome those challenges. They highlighted that the notion of logistic has differed significantly, an issue which SMEs generally fails to appreciate, and logistics is about managing the whole supply chain itself.

We moved along into the Trade Finance Session which saw four speakers on the panel: three from Malaysia and one from Thailand. As bankers, they naturally talked about their experience in setting up banks in China and the challenges that they faced. The discussion was also dedicated to RMB trade settlement liberalization. The panelists emphasized the importance to re-denominate currency to RMB and Ringgit is to reduce currency exposure risk and to increase global focus on RMB while creating sensible business relationship between ASEAN and China. Nevertheless, USD is still preferred in the current market trading. The last session, was aptly entitled The Way Forward. In this session, speakers gave general overviews on CAFTA and significant impacts of the development and maturation of the free trade area as well as the far-reaching implications for the economy and trade structure of the whole world. Beyond presenting challenges, panelists provided strategies to overcome those challenges. For instance, multiple strategies for entrepreneurs to develop social enterprises: 1) to adopt a cluster approach in value-chain development in order to gain market capacity and resource accessibility; 2) to gain greater capital access through social enterprise stock exchange, such as the Impact Investment Exchange Asia (IIX); 3) to create sustainable development through fair trade market for social enterprise. Finally the speakers urged SMEs to take up this golden opportunity, not only in China but also in India, given the tendency for the world to look East. The conference was brought to a close by Dato Hafsah Hashim, Chief Executive Officer, SME Corporation Malaysia with a summary of all the presentations. The ASEAN-China SME Conference ended on that note. Dato Hafsah hoped that SMEs will be able to capitalize on CAFTA and thanking ASLI, all speakers, organizers, media and participants for making the conference a success.

Guest-of-honour YB Dato Mukhriz Tun Mahathir and VIPs at the holding room before the Official Opening Ceremony.

Guest-of-honour YB Dato Mukhriz Tun Mahathir and VIPs at the Official Opening Ceremony

Panellists at the Ministerial Forum.

Conference well-attended by more than 600 delegates from 10 ASEAN countries.

CSR & SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT 2011 Faced with increased pressure from internal and external stakeholders, more companies nowadays are measuring and reporting on their social and environmental performance as well as the usual financial reporting measures. The worldwide growth of socially responsible rating systems such as the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and investment policy disclosure requirements have put pressures on companies to make these nonfinancial disclosures. With that in mind, ASLI once again organised the CSR & Sustainability Summit 2011 to discussed key issues and strategies on new insights for businesses, governments, CSR practitioners and NGOs on the latest CSR issues and opportunities to build your organisation sustainable business strategies. The clear message of this years Summit was that companies in Malaysia need to understand what their impacts are, and that all companies also have a role to play in addressing global challenges of climate change. This Summit aims to help stakeholders, practitioners, businesses redefine their objectives and roles to meet the challenges posed by today's global needs," added Puan Sri Susan Cheah in her welcome remarks.

There needs to be a specific drive in educating the construction sector, along with companies from a variety of other sectors to track environmental issues. Environmental considerations need to be incorporated within companies supply chains and where relevant in the life cycle of products or services, such as waste management, said YB Dato Sri Peter Chin Fah Kui, Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water in his Opening Keynote Address. "Fresh ideas are needed in order for us to meet challenges of a multifaceted and unpredictable business and global environment. YB Minister adds on. The summit discussions covered key areas such as towards a responsible and sustainable world, implementing effective CSR programmes in the organisation, how companies can tap into ETP, fostering green development and Bursa Malaysia sustainability index. The summit was officiated by the Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water, Y.B. Dato Sri Peter Chin Fah Kui, who also delivered the summit keynote address this morning at the Putra World Trade Center Kuala Lumpur. Rounding up the panel of distinguished role-players at the summit are Dato Praba Thiagarajah, Founder & Group CEO of Basis Bay, Mr Tay Kay Luan, Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Bankers Malaysia (IBBM), Mr Puvan J. Selvanathan, Chief Sustainability Officer of Sime Darby Berhad, Dato Ghazali Dato Mohd Yusoff, Chairman and MD, Nusantara Technologies Sdn. Bhd. / Board Member, MIDA & Founder, Business Council for Sustainable Development Malaysia (BCSDM), Ms Adelina Iskandar, Vice President Corporate Affairs of Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Mr Andreas Dorn, Director of Asia Mind Dynamics Sdn Bhd, Mr Philip Ling, Corporate Responsibility of DiGi.com Berhad, Prof Datuk Mohd Yusof Kasim, Vice Chancellor & Chief Executive, Asia Pacific University College of Technology & Innovation (UCTI), Datuk Eddy Chen Lok Loi, Group MD of MKH Berhad & Past President of REHDA, Mr Steve McCoy of Counterpoint Sdn Bhd / Sustainability Consultant, Dato Haji Mohamed Iqbal Rawther, Chairman of MIM & Vice President, ASEAN Business Forum and Dr Geoffrey Williams, FRSA, FMIM, Founding Director & CEO of OWW Consulting Sdn. Bhd.

Puan Sri Susan Cheah, Director of ASLI together with YB Dato' Sri Peter Chin Fah Kui, Minister of Energy, Green Technology & Water, Malaysia and Puan Hajah Nor' Aini bt Abdul Wahab, Deputy Secretary General (Green Technology and Water) on stage during the Opening ceremony

YB Dato' Sri Peter Chin delivering the opening keynote address

Mr Puvan Selvanathan, Chief Sustainability Officer of Sime Darby Berhad, Dato' Praba Thiagarajah, Founder & Group CEO of Basis Bay and Mr Tay Kay Luan, Chief Executive Officer of IBBM on the Towards a Responsible & Sustainable World: Where are we with CSR session.

Puan Adelina Iskandar, VP, Corporate Affairs of Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Dato' Ghazali Dato' Mohd Yusoff, Chairman and MD, Nusantara Technologies Sdn Bhd / Board Member of MIDA & Founder of Business Council for Sustainable Development Malaysia, Mr Andreas Dorn, Director of Asia Mind Dynamics Sdn Bhd and Mr Philip Ling, Corporate Responsibility of DiGi.com Berhad on the Implementing Effective CSR Programmes on the Organisation session.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Event Keynote Speaker Date/ Venue Synopsis

: FUTURE ENERGY, SMARTER MOBILITY : YB Dato Sri Peter Chin Fah Kui Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water, Malaysia 8 July 2011 Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa, Malaysia The time now is an era of volatility, uncertainty and shifting perceptions of reality. The way we live our lives is : inextricably intertwined with the energy we consume, and the energy we consume is, sadly, not infinite in its supply. The global energy needs are growing faster than technology can provide. We have to ask ourselves, where is this heading? For the long term, what can we do to address this and secure the sources of energy supply? The Conference aims at compiling a baseline review of future energy and smarter mobility policies, and look towards the future by examining factors that may impact energy policies. The Future Energy, Smarter MobilityAsia Conference 2011 is organised by Shell Malaysia, managed by ASLI and is scheduled to be held on the 8th July 2011 at the Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa. For more information, please contact Ms Ng Yeen Seen at yeenseen@asli.com.my

Event/ Theme Keynote Speaker Date/ Venue Synopsis

: COMMUNICATIONS & CONNECTIVITY FUTURES 2011 Telecommunications Now & Beyond: Evolutions in a Converging Digital World : YB Dato Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim Minister of Information Communications and Culture 28 July 2011 Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa Convergence has been a running theme in telecommunications for several years now, with the dramatic rise : of the Internet and transition of voice, data, video, television and other media services to IP based networks. Mirroring trends in the developed world, broadband and mobile data services in Malaysia continue to be the drivers of growth, in tandem with the demands of a new generation of bandwidth-hungry, nomadic consumers and their digital devices. The rollout of a nationwide fibre optic network and 4G mobile network is expected to fuel accessibility and accelerate connection speed to support applications and content that will unleash the potential of true convergence at work and play. HIGHLIGHTS: Communications and Connectivity Futures Emerging Trends and Roadmap Spectrum Management & Transformation: Reaping the Rewards of Digital Dividend Cloud Computing Opportunities for Telco Players Next-Generation Network Evolution: Broadband Technologies Mobile Insights Malaysian Netizens & Internet Usage

COMMUNICATIONS & CONNECTIVITY FUTURES 2011 will feature: Strategic, Topical and Practical Programme: extensive research into the markets needs ensure the content of the programme is what you want to hear now Extensive Networking Opportunities: forge alliances and partnerships with delegates and role-players from leading telecommunications and ICT based organisations in public and private sectors Interactive Platform for Ideas Exchange: Share your ideas, challenges and collectively brainstorm for practical s solutions as well as identify common grounds for collaboration WHO SHOULD ATTEND? This forum will benefit key personnel such as CEOs, MDs, CTOs, CIOs, and Directors of Operations, Network Planning/Performance, Business Development, Finance & Strategy, Billing and Customer Service from the following organizations: Fixed and Mobile Telecoms/Internet Operators & Carriers Telephony & Network Equipment Vendors Network Security Vendors Content & Application Developers System Manufacturers Network Strategists & Engineers Telecommunications Consultants, Analysts & Lawyers ICT Regulators & Industry Associations Venture capital firms & potential investors in telecom and ICT sectors (For more information, please log on to www.asli.com.my)

Event /

Theme

:MINISTERIAL ROUNDTABLE (Managed by ASLI) (Held in conjunction with International Greentech & Eco-Products Exhibition & Conference Malaysia 2011IGEM2011). Hosted by Ministry of Energy, Green Technology & Water Malaysia and Managed by ASLI A Prosperous Low Carbon Future: Leveraging on Green Growth for a Carbon-Efficient Economy

Speakers :YB Dato Sri Peter Chin Fah Kui, Minister of Energy, Green Technology & Water, Malaysia The Hon. Dr Farooq Abdullah, Minister of New & Renewable Energy, India The Hon. S. Iswaran, Minister in the PMs Office and Second Minister for Trade and Industry Singapore The Hon. Mr. Youcef Yousfi, Minister of Energy and Mines, Algeria The Hon. Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin Bin Haji Umar, Minister of Energy, Brunei Darussalam and many more... Date/ Venue :8 September 2011 Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre

Synopsis :The Ministerial Roundtable is aimed at providing a platform for deliberation and discussion on the adoption and application of green technologies to mitigate carbon emission towards a greener planet. We believe that the Roundtable will be an excellent avenue for dialogue and exchange of ideas between us, who have been charged with the responsibility to transform our countries into green nations. (For more information, please log on to www.igem.com.my)

Event/ Theme

: WORLD WOMEN ECONOMIC FORUM Strengthening Economic Empowerment for Women: A Blueprint for Success (Under the Distinguished Patronage of YABhg. Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor, Wife of the Prime Minister of Malaysia) : YAB Dato Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak (invited) Prime Minister of Malaysia 19-20 September 2011 Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa : Statistics show that women perform 2/3 of the worlds work and the fact further reinforces the powerful impact of women in the economy. However, despite covering a large majority of the worlds works, women only earn 10% of the worlds income. Strengthening the economic empowerment for women will further increase their economic opportunities, access to more and better jobs, a business climate that supports them in starting and doing business, a financial sector that gives them access to financial services tailored to their needs, and having greater livelihood security in times of food and fuel crises. This is especially true for women living in rural areas and vulnerable environments. Indeed womens economic empowerment requires bold and sustained action to advance womens opportunities and rights and to ensure that women can participate and be heard.

Keynote Speaker Date/ Venue Synopsis

WWEF FEATURES: Dialogue with corporate leaders on best practices in public/private sector for advancing womens economic growth; Connect with experts in your industry, and make real contact with people who can advance your career; Plenary sessions which cover business trends regionally and globally; Practical strategies for business growth personal and entrepreneurial developed in different parts of the world; Explore new ways to reach your maximum potential, increase productivity and be a leader in your field; Skills building sessions in four tracks: Leadership Development, Entrepreneurial, Microenterprise Development, and Issues; Inspirational role models by women leaders; Inspire yourself to seek new challenges, motivate those around you, and live an impactful life; and Ample networking opportunities at breakfasts, lunches, and throughout the event. WHAT WWEF OFFERS: A window into the current global economies; Insight into the women driving business growth in the region as consumers and business leaders; Featured best practices in partnerships between business and government to advance women and to promote green initiatives; And numerous sessions to help grow your leadership skills, your business, your network. WWEF INVITES: Women entrepreneurs of businesses of all sizes; Women professional and governmental leaders who want to connect with their counterparts worldwide; Business executives; Women leaders of NGOs focusing on economic development; Heads of Microenterprise development organisations; YOU! WHY ATTEND THE WWEF? To participate in a truly unique global gathering of women influencers and opinion leaders from government and business To be inspired by women from across all continents and all areas of leadership; To expand your global network; To learn from and to share with your peers ways to improve your business, your career, your lifeand the lives of others.

(For more information, please log on to www.asli.com.my)

Event/ Theme Keynote Speaker Date/ Venue Synopsis

: THE 3RD WORLD CHINESE ECONOMIC FORUM Linking East and West in a Globalised World : YAB Dato Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak Prime Minister of Malaysia 3 4 November 19-20 September 2011 Palace of the Golden Horses, Malaysia : The 3rd World Chinese Economic Forum welcomes you on the 3rd and 4th November 2011, at the Palace of the Golden Horses, Malaysia. This is a platform for interchange of views and ideas, as well as to forge business partnerships and linkages. At the 3rd World Chinese Economic Forum, we shall be promoting the concept of a new economic corridor linking China through the 10 countries of Southeast Asia and India to the Middle East, the New Silk Road. Join us, to find out how business ideas and opportunities could be crystallised and implemented! For more information, please contact Ms Ng Yeen Seen at yeenseen@asli.com.my and Mr Max Say at maxsay@asli.com.my

Special Group Discount if you register in a group of 3 persons or more! Registration: please email enquiries to : david.selvan@asli.com.my / aini@asli.com.my / khalil@asli.com.my or contact us at 603 2093 5393
ASLI is now on Twitter (http://twitter.com/ASLI_Malaysia). Do follow us! ASLI is now on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/ASLI/319651169182?v=wall&ref=nf)

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