Thought leaders come together to discuss the rising power of Asian companies, governments and consumers
INSEAD, the leading international business school, today held its 4th Annual Leadership Summit Asia at the school’s Asia campus based in Singapore. More than 300 global leaders from business, government, media and academia gathered for a full day programme to discuss the shifting global economic landscape and the rise of Asia. The Summit, titled, "The Rising Power of Asian Companies, Governments and Consumers", also marked the 10th anniversary of INSEAD’s Asia campus in Singapore.
‘The global economic landscape is undoubtedly shifting at an unprecedented speed and Asian economies are the main engine of change,’ said J. Frank Brown, Dean of INSEAD. ‘INSEAD’s Leadership Summit Asia has brought together some of the top thought leaders from around the world to focus on this historic shift and determine how Asian companies, governments and consumers will propel the region into the next stage of development.’
Dean Brown delivered the opening remarks, which were followed by a faculty presentation by Professor Ilian Mihov titled ‘The Rise of Asia: Trends, Risks, Uncertainties and Opportunities.’ In the session, Professor Mihov, Professor of Economics and Dean of Research at INSEAD, discussed the rapid ascent of several Asian economies and whether growth will be sustainable in these countries. Professor Mihov also highlighted the risk factors that exist for India and China and how these will affect the long-term growth prospects of developing Asia.
Sessions were led by more than 20 speakers and INSEAD faculty members. Sponsored by The World Knowledge Forum, The 2010 Leadership Summit Asia offered thought-provoking panel discussions facilitated by leaders such as David Fernandez, Managing Director, Head of Emerging Research, J.P. Morgan; Harish Manwani, President Asia, Africa, Central & Eastern Europe, Unilever; Frederik Balfour, Asia Correspondent, Bloomberg L.P.; Jason Dean, China News Editor, The Wall Street Journal; and Rajeev Singh-Morales, President, Alcatel-Lucent Asia Pacific, Executive Vice President, Alcatel-Lucent.
Additional panels throughout the day focused on a range of topics, including Asia-style capitalism, bank bailouts and reverse convertibles, China’s transforming economy, and skills and sustainability in Asian economies. Following several panel sessions, Gan Kim Yong, Minister of Manpower, Singapore, presented a closing dialogue with Narayan Pant, professor of Strategy and Director of the Advanced Management Programme at INSEAD.
The INSEAD eLab report on "Skills, Sustainability and Success", outlining which skills Asia needs to sustain growth, was presented in a panel moderated by eLab Director Bruno Lanvin. Mr Lanvin explained the report findings with eLab Associate Director Nils Fonstad.
In celebration of the 10th anniversary of INSEAD’s Asia campus in Singapore, Dean Brown, along with speakers such as Gabriel Hawawini, former INSEAD Dean and The Henry Grunfeld Chaired Professor of Investment Banking at INSEAD, and Lee Hsien
Yang, Chairman, Fraser and Neave, paid tribute to the school’s visionaries and pioneers.
Dean Brown, along with incoming Dean Dipak C. Jain, closed out the full day summit by leading a discussion on ‘Management Education in Asia.’ The session focused on the future role of education in Asia and how INSEAD can play a vital role in providing the management skills that will be necessary to complement Asia’s growth trajectory.
Dean Brown commented: ‘INSEAD has deep roots in Asia and has been part of this profound economic shift as one of the first business schools to establish a fully fledged campus in the region. This year marks the 10th anniversary of our Asia Campus in Singapore and we are honoured to celebrate this occasion at our 2010 Leadership Summit Asia.’
Additional speakers included: Gan Kim Yong, Minister of Manpower, Singapore; Edward Tse, Senior Director and Chairman for Greater China, Booz & Company; Zhuang Juzhong, Deputy Chief Economist, Economics and Research Department, Asian Development Bank; David Arkless, President of Corporate and Government Affairs, Manpower Inc.; Bernard van Bunnik, GE business leader: Deputy CEO and board member, Hyundai Capital & Card, GE Partner; Sadia Khan, Executive Director, Delta Shipping; Kobus van der Wath, Founder & Group MD, The Beijing Axis, Chief Executive, Bateman Beijing Axis; and Lee Hsien Yang, Chairman, Fraser and Neave.
Media partners for the 2010 Leadership Summit Asia are: Bloomberg Businessweek, Wall Street Journal Asia, and CNBC Asia.
