ASIA PACIFIC BUSINESS FORUM 2018
LIST OF CONFIRMED SPEAKERS

Mahbubur Rahman is President of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Bangladesh. He has successfully founded the following family enterprises: ETBL Holdings Limited; Eastern Trading (Bangladesh) Ltd.; ETBL Development Construction Ltd.; ETBL Securities & Exchange Ltd.; Progressive Investments Limited; and Century Cold Storage Limited. He is also Founder Chairman of Eastland Insurance Co. Ltd., and International Publications Limited.

Currently, Mr. Rahman is the Chairman of Bangladesh International Arbitration Centre (BIAC), Sole Arbitrator in Bangladesh for The China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) ; Vice Chairman of Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute (BFTI), Member of the Board of Governors of Institute of Business Administration (IBA) of the University of Dhaka, Founder Member of the Independent University Bangladesh (IUB) and a Director in the Board of Karnaphuli Fertilizer Co. Ltd. (KAFCO)- a multinational company comprising Bangladesh, Japan, Denmark & The Netherlands.

Mahbubur was also the Founding Director and Chairman of National Bank Limited. He also worked in the public sector from 1972 to 1979 when he represented the Government of Sri Lanka in Bangladesh.

Mr. Rahman was President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FBCCI) during 1992-1994, The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) in 1985-86 and 1991-92, Founder Vice President (1993-95) of SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Vice President (West Asia) of 57-nation Islamic Chamber of Commerce in 1993-95.

Mr. Rahman was awarded The Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012, by the “DHL-The Daily Star” sponsored prestigious ‘Bangladesh Business Award’. He was honoured by The Daily Star as an Eminent personality for Lifetime Contribution to Nation-Building, in 2016.

Mr. Rahman was honoured as a Presidential Friend of Indonesia in 2012 at its 67th Independence Day in Jakarta by the President His Excellency Mr. Susilo Bambang Yodyono of Indonesia.

United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP

Dr. Shamshad Akhtar (Pakistan) is an Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and the tenth Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.

Formerly, Dr. Akhtar was the UN Secretary-General’s Special Senior Advisor on Economics and Finance, and Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development at the Department of Economic and Social Affairs. She led the UN-wide coordination of the work on the post-2015 development agenda, and was also the United Nations Sherpa for the G20, supporting the Finance Ministers and Central Bankers track.

Dr. Akhtar has previously served as Governor of the Central Bank of Pakistan. In her capacity as Governor, Dr. Akhtar was also the Chairperson of the Central Bank Board and its affiliates, as well as a Governor of the IMF. She won two consecutive awards as Asia’s Best Central Bank Governor from Emerging Markets and from the Banker’s Trust. In 2008, The WALL STREET JOURNAL ASIA also recognized her as one of Asia’s top ten professional women.

Dr. Akhtar served as Vice President of the Middle East and North Africa Region of the World Bank. In this role, Dr. Akhtar spearheaded the Bank’s response to the Arab Spring as well as the Arab regional integration strategy and its implementation. She served in the Asian Development Bank for almost 15 years, rising through the ranks from Senior Economist, to the highest professional positions, including Special Senior Advisor to the President of ADB, and Director-General of the South-East Asia region.

Dr. Akhtar was a post-doctoral US Fulbright Fellow at Harvard University, she holds a PhD in Economics and a Masters in Development Economics from the UK, and an MSc in Economics from Quaid-e-Azam University, in Islamabad.

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China

Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company

Dr. Lee George LAM is Non-Executive Chairman – Hong Kong and ASEAN Region and Chief Adviser to Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets Asia, having served earlier as a General Manager of Hongkong Telecom, Vice President and Managing Partner – Greater China of the international management consulting firm A.T. Kearney, President & CEO and Vice Chairman of the Board of Chia Tai Enterprises International Limited (now C.P. Lotus Corporation) of multinational conglomerate CP Group, Vice Chairman and COO of Investment Banking Division of BOC International Holdings (the international investment banking arm of the Bank of China group), Executive Director of Singapore Technologies Telemedia (a member of Temasek Holdings), and Chairman – Hong Kong / Vietnam / Cambodia / Laos / Myanmar / Thailand and Senior Adviser – Asia of Macquarie Capital.

Dr. Lam is a member of the Hong Kong SAR Government Committee on Innovation, Technology and Re-Industrialization, the Council on Professional Conduct in Education, the Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health, the Court of the City University of Hong Kong and Sir Murray MacLehose Trust Fund Investment Advisory Committee, Vice Chairman of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) Business Advisory Council and Chairman of its Task Force on Banking and Finance, Chairman of the Permanent Commission on Economic and Financial Issues of World Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (WUSME), Honorary Chairman – Asia Pacific of CMA Australia, Chairman of Monte Jade Science and Technology Association of Hong Kong and President of Hong Kong-ASEAN Economic Cooperation Foundation.

Infosys

Born in India in 1946, Mr. Narayana Murthy received his B E in EE from the University of Mysore in 1967 and M S in EE from the Indian Institute of Technology – Kanpur in 1969. He has worked in India and France designing software systems. His experience in France and his year-long hitchhiking trip from Paris to India in 1974 converted him from a confused leftist to a determined compassionate capitalist. His entrepreneurial venture, Infosys, founded in 1981 is, today, a highly innovative software services company listed on NYSE in the US and BSE in Mumbai with over US$ 10 billion in revenue and US$ 35 billion in market capitalization.

Mr. Murthy conceptualized, articulated and implemented the Global Delivery Model (GDM) which has become the backbone of the Indian software industry. GDM is based on collaborative software development and has resulted in the delivery of superior quality software to global customers delivered on time and within budget. Mr. Murthy also introduced the concept of 24-hour work day. Under Mr. Murthy’s leadership, Infosys became the leader in innovation in technical, managerial and leadership training, software technology, quality, productivity, customer focus, employee satisfaction, and physical and technological infrastructure.

Mr. Murthy established Infosys Foundation in 1996 to address the basic needs of the poorest of the poor and to support higher education and research. In 1994, he created the largest stock-option plan in the history of India. Under his leadership, Infosys created Infosys Science Prize in India and the ACM prize for the best young researcher in Computer Science.

In 2014, Mr. Murthy was ranked 13th among CNBC’s 25 global business leaders and listed among the ‘12 greatest entrepreneurs of our time’, by Fortune in 2012. He has received Legion d’honneur from France, CBE from Britain and Padma Vibhushan from India.

He is a foreign member of the US National Academy of Engineering and a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering. He received the Ernst Weber Medal in 2007 and Hoover medal in 2012 from IEEE. He has received Thomas Jefferson medal and James C. Morgan Global Humanitarian Award.

Macquarie Group Asia

Ben is the Chief Executive Officer of Macquarie Group Asia.

Macquarie is a diversified financial group providing clients with asset management, banking, leasing, advisory and risk and capital solutions across debt, equity and commodities. Headquartered and listed in Australia, it operates in 27 countries and has more than $A480 billion in assets under management. In Asia, Macquarie has more than 3,400 people across 13 offices in 11 locations.

Ben joined Macquarie in 2006 and is also co-head of Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets in Asia-Pacific. A member of Macquarie’s Global Management Committee, he leads the continued growth of Macquarie’s Asia platform.

Ben has been based in Asia for more than 15 years. He was previously Chairman and CEO of Taiwan Broadband Communications and a management consultant with Bain & Company. He is a Board Director of the Mekong Club, a Fellow of the 2017 class of the Finance Leaders Fellowship and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.

Fung Group

Dr Victor K Fung is Group Chairman of the Fung Group, a Hong Kong-based multinational which comprises major subsidiaries in trading, logistics, distribution and retailing. They include publicly-listed Li & Fung Limited, Global Brands Group Holding Limited, Convenience Retail Asia Limited and Trinity Limited. He is Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Asia Global Institute at the University of Hong Kong, a multi-disciplinary think-tank co-established with the Fung Global Institute.

Dr. Fung is an independent non-executive Director of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited (Hong Kong), and Koc Holding A.S. (Turkey). He is also Chairman of the Asia Advisory Board of Prudential Financial, Inc (USA). He served as Chairman of the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce from 2008 to 2010, member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference from 2003 to February 2018.

Dr Fung is the Chairman of the Steering Committee on the Hong Kong Scholarship for Excellence Scheme and an Adviser of the Infrastructure Financing Facilitation Office of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Dr. Fung holds Bachelor and Master Degrees in Electrical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a Doctorate in Business Economics from Harvard University. He was a professor at Harvard Business School for four years before returning to Hong Kong in 1976.

The University of Hong Kong

Professor Wong is Professor of Economics and Philip Wong Kennedy Wong Professor in Political Economy, and formerly the Dean of Faculty of Business and Economics and the Provost at The University of Hong Kong.

He is active in advancing research on economic policy studies in Hong Kong and China through his work as founding Director of the Hong Kong Centre for Economic Research since 1987. He writes a weekly political economy column for the Hong Kong Economic Journal and South China Morning Post.

Although trained as a labor economist, Professor Wong’s main research interest now is in the political economy of public policy. His current research focuses are property and housing in Hong Kong and on the origins of deep contradictions in Hong Kong. His recently published books included: Hong Kong Land for Hong Kong People: Fixing the Failures of Our Housing Policy, Fixing Inequality in Hong Kong.

He had served on numerous public bodies including the HKSAR Government’s Exchange Fund Advisory Committee, Housing Authority, Hospital Authority, Economic Advisory Committee, Task Force on Social Security and Retirement Security of the Commission on Poverty, and Committee on Economic Development and Economic Development and Economic Cooperation with the Mainland of the Commission on Strategic Development.

He was awarded the Silver Bauhinia Star in 1999 in recognition of his contributions in education, housing, industry and technology development and was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 2000 by the HKSAR Government.

British Council

Tristan has more than a decade of experience working in more than 20 countries in Central and Eastern Europe, sub-Saharan Africa and for the past 8 years in East and South Asia.

Tristan Leads the British Council’s work in social enterprise and social impact investment in the Asia Pacific region and is responsible for the flagship policy and government engagement programme which provides support to develop social entrepreneurship policy and strategy in the region. Through this programme, he has developed a range of partnerships with government and regional organisations such as UNESCAP, World Bank and AVPN.

Tristan is passionate about the role that social enterprises can play in building fair, inclusive and just societies and has a particular interest in both the role that social enterprise can play in strengthening civil society and the role that governments can play in driving innovation in policy that support social entrepreneurship more broadly. He is currently based in Hong Kong, but has previously lived and worked in Beijing and Yangon.

Tristan regularly speaks at forums and conferences on themes relating to social enterprise, social investment and social innovation in Asia and the UK and sits on the East Asia steering committee of the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) network, advises the UNDPs Youth Co: Lab project and sits on the advisory board of the UK charity _Social Starters. He also regularly teaches and guest lectures on social entrepreneurship and social innovation at universities in Hong Kong and the region.

Tsinghua National Institute of Financial Research

Dr. MA Jun is the Director of the Center for Finance and Development, Tsinghua National Institute of Financial Research. He is also Chairman of Green Finance Committee of China Society for Finance and Banking, and Co-chair of G20 Sustainable Finance Study Group. Before joining Tsinghua University, he was the Chief Economist at the Research Bureau of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) from 2014-17. Prior to that, he worked for 13 years at Deutsche Bank, where he was Managing Director, Chief Economist for Greater China, and Head of China and Hong Kong Strategy. From 1992-2000, he worked as public policy specialist, economist and senior economist at the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. From 1988-1990, he was a research fellow at the Development Research Center of China’s State Council.

Dr. Ma has published more than a dozen books and several hundred articles. His main research areas include macroeconomics, monetary policy, financial market development, green finance, as well as environmental economics. In 2014, he led China’s green finance taskforce which developed 14 policy recommendations on establishing the “green finance system” in China and, in 2015-16, he led the drafting of China’s Green Finance Guidelines, which became the first comprehensive policy framework for green finance in the world. As co-chair of the G20 Green Finance Study Group, he played a critical role in formulating the global consensus on green and sustainable finance development.

China Alliance of Social Value Investment (CASVI)

Founder of COIN (Cross-Over Innovation Network), an independent Director of SWS MU Fund Management Co. Ltd, an independent director of GRAMEEN China. She has over 22 years of experience in finance industry, and she was the head of ICBC Busan Branch in Korea. She was the vice president of MasterCard Worldwide GKA (HSBC), and managing director of AGIC Capital.

OECD

Tihana Bule is an economist and policy analyst in the OECD Investment Division, focusing on responsible business conduct (RBC) and the implementation of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. She works on cross-cutting RBC issues and strategic engagement with emerging and developing economies. Tihana has worked extensively with partners in Asia and has recently led the integration of RBC in OECD Investment Policy Reviews. Tihana joined the OECD in 2012 and comes from the private sector. Her previous professional experience is in the technology sector, investment and trade, and advising on intellectual property rights and patent infringement cases pending before the U.S. International Trade Commission in Washington, D.C.. She holds a Master in Law/Diplomacy from Tufts University in Boston, where she specialised in international political economy and strategic management, and a degree in mathematics from Smith College.

Our Hong Kong Foundation

Mr. Stephen Wong received a B.A. Degree in Economics from the University of Chicago, Phi Beta Kappa, and an M.A. Degree in East Asian from Yale University. Since then, he worked for a number of global financial institutions, including as an Executive Director in UBS (London) and a Managing Director at RBS.

Mr. Wong’s public service includes various advisory roles appointed by the Hong Kong Government, including Human Capital Committee of the Financial Services Development Council, Member of Task Force on Land Supply, Sub-committee Co-opt Member of the Sustainable Development Council, and Member of Investment Committee of the Beat Drugs Fund. Mr. Wong is also active in community service. He is Chairman of the Clean Air Network, Vice Chairman of the Budget and Allocation Committee & Investment Committee Member of the Community Chest and Executive Committee Member & Chairman of the Advisory Committee of Social Enterprise and Innovation Platform of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service. Mr. Wong is also a part-time Lecturer at the Chinese University of Hong Kong for the Master of Social Science in Global Political Economy, and an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Hong Kong University SPACE for the Institute for China Business.

Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), Kazakhstan

Nurlan Kussainov was born in 1976 in Zhezkazgan. He graduated from Kazakh State Academy of Management, with major in foreign economic relationships in 1997. In 2009 he accomplished his Master’s degree in management from Stanford Graduate School of Business (Sloan Master Program).

He started his work experience in 1996 as an economist with Kazakhmys, after that he worked for the Strategic Planning Agency of Republic of Kazakhstan and served as a Head of Strategic Planning Department for the Development Bank of Kazakhstan. After having worked for the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Budget Planning of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in 2004 Nurlan became CEO for the Center of Marketing and Analytical Research. In 2007 Nurlan Kussainov became a CEO for investment company CNRG Capital, and in 2009 he was invited to be managing partner of Al Falah Partners, managing a joint UAE and Kazakhstan private fund of 500 million USD to target CIS market. In 2010 Mr. Kussainov was appointed as the first deputy CEO, then CEO for the Development Bank of Kazakhstan. Later he was assigned as a Deputy governor for the National Bank of Kazakhstan.

Chong Sing Holdings FinTech Group Ltd.

Yew Kiat Phang is the Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chong Sing Holdings FinTech Group Limited (CSF). CSF is a leading publicly listed (stock code: 8207.HK) Fintech group in Asia. Headquartered in Hong Kong, the company successfully established a fully-integrated Fintech ecosystem, providing efficient intelligent financial lifestyle services via internet & mobile internet channels.

Phang began his career with Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) in 1994. Over his 17 years career in banking, he held various management roles across SCB’s corporate and consumer banking businesses, including the appointment as Chief Financial Officer for Indonesia & General Manager for Small Medium Enterprises, Singapore & Malaysia. In 2005, Phang was seconded to China to build a brand new national joint-stock bank in Tianjin, China Bohai Bank, and he served as an Executive Director and Deputy Chief Executive Officer for the consumer banking business. He also served as DBS’s Group Head of Strategic Planning.

Phang also serves a the Chairman of Remuneration Committee & Independent Non-executive Director and of Chuan Holdings Limited (stock code: 1420.HK). Among the non-profit organizations, he serves as the Vice Chairman to United Nation-Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Business Advisory Council Task Force on Digital Economy, and the founding Executive Director of Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC).

Phang has a Bachelor degree in Microelectronic Systems Engineering from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology and a Master of Business Administration in International Business form the University of Bristol.

HSBC

Dr Frank Tong Fuk-Kay is the Global Head of Innovation and Strategic Investments of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC). He is based in Hong Kong, taking over responsibilities for the Applied Innovation and Strategic Investment teams.

TNG FinTech Group

Alex Kong is the Founder and Chairman of TNG FinTech Group, which offers the next generation financial services to the 1.2 billion unbanked population in Asia through its various e-wallet platforms under the Global E-Wallet Alliance, including TNG Wallet, PhiliPurse, INDompet, XIN Wallet and others.

In Alex’s leadership, TNG Wallet has recorded rapid development in both user base and transaction volumes, with transactions exceeding USD1 billion in the first two years of launch.

Alex’s vision and mission is to provide financial inclusion to the unbanked populations around the world.

Business and thought leader Barbara Meynert has executive expertise across a broad range of sectors. She has enjoyed an international career in merchant banking, commercial and regulatory institutions, and holds directorships in the corporate and non-profit sectors in Asia and Europe. She has served such global organizations as the World Economic Forum and the International Chamber of Commerce.

Barbara Meynert is Senior Advisor to the Fung Group and has been a long-time director and advisor to the Li and Fung Group and a number of their subsidiary companies. She is Adjunct Professor at the University of Hong Kong and serves on the Advisory Board of the global think tank, the Asia Global Institute at the University of Hong Kong. She is Chair of the Digital Economy Task Force of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia Pacific, Vice-Chair of the Hong Kong-Asean Economic Cooperation Foundation, and a Board Member of the Thailand-Hong Kong Business Council.

She played a crucial role as a director and advisor in the establishment of both the Hong Kong Airport Authority and the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission. Before that, she served in executive roles in the international merchant banking industry. She was Managing Director of Barclays Investment Bank BZW in Hong Kong and Asia following her position as Chief Executive of Kredietbank’s Asia-Pacific operations.

Barbara Meynert holds an MSc from the London School of Economics and a BA from the University of Hong Kong.

City University of Hong Kong

Dr. Chun is a leading Artificial Intelligence (AI) pioneer and global visionary with over three decades of AI innovation experience. Dr. Chun empowers organizations through improving customer experience and digital transformation, using AI and enterprise optimization. He is a highly trusted consultant for many large organizations. Dr. Chun is a sought-after speaker and has presented talks on a wide range of technologyrelated subjects. Dr. Chun has received numerous AI and ICT awards, as well as the HK CIO Award and the Top 5 Greater China CIO Award. Dr. Chun has also been a senior advisor to the HK Government on AI and IT strategies, and leads the AI Specialist Group for the HK Computer Society.

Google

Yam Ki Chan is Google’s Head of Public Policy and Government Affairs for Hong Kong and South Asia Frontier. Prior to joining Google, Yam Ki served as a Director at the White House National Security Council in the Obama Administration, where he coordinated international economic policies, with a focus on China, Japan, and South Korea. Yam Ki was also a member of the U.S. G-20 and G-7 team. Before joining the White House, Yam Ki was a member of the Treasury Department’s Office of the US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue and Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. Earlier in his private sector career, Yam Ki was an investment banker at Jefferies. Yam Ki is a graduate of Columbia University and Carleton College.

PwC

Scott is a PwC partner based in Hong Kong where he leads the New Services and Emerging Technologies group for the US, China and Japan. He has over 20 years experience in Digital Strategy working across many industries (Financial Services, Technology, Transport and logistics, and eCommerce). Scott has helped clients globally understand and leverage the power of new Technology while helping them transform their business. In his current role he helps understand and design for the Asian market, bringing global perspective but local designs. Prior to PwC, Scott spent time in the software industry working with a company that created the first commercial internet technologies.

TRANZCIP, LCC

D. Christopher Keil is the managing partner for Tranzcip. Tranzcip is a technology investment and advisory firm with offices in San Francisco and Hong Kong leveraging Mr.Keil’s technology expertise and background in Big Data, AI and Machine Learning. Areas of concentration and specialization include Autonomous Vehicles, SmartCities, FinTech, MedTech, AgTech and EdTech.

Mr. Keil has formed, founded, invested and acquired numerous companies during his career. His influences can be seen in the Energy, Financial, Insurance, Travel, Consumer and Technology markets with products that have changed the way we communicate and live.

Mr. Keil has also been an active board member and advisor to numerous technology firms, incubators, accelerators, investment funds and technologists across the globe. His background includes partners and investors in Asia, Europe, India and the United States. Those efforts have included working on building the world’s fastest supercomputer, developing the first embedded antenna on RFID device, the first white-label travel engine in China and making connected vehicles a reality.

Prior to co-founding Tranzcip, Mr. Keil operated as a Chief Business Officer, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer for over 20 companies in the past 7 years through his managing partner role at TekStart, a Palo Alto-based investment firm and advisory group. Companies included security, semiconductor, energy, online travel, consumer and medical technologies.

Mr. Keil holds a Bachelor Degree from Santa Clara University and a Master’s of Business Administration, focus on strategic marketing, from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Ir Allen Yeung has extensive business and management experience in the information and technology field before joining the HKSAR government in 2015. He holds a BSEE from the University of Texas at Austin, an MSEE from Purdue University and an Executive MBA from HKUST-Kellogg Northwestern University.

As the Government GCIO, his responsibilities include formulating ICT policies and smart city blueprint; leading the digital government programmes; promoting and developing ICT industry as key business and economy driver; and bridging the digital divide.

Ir Yeung was the Chief Corporate Development Officer of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation. He started his career in 1987 in the Silicon Valley, working for many hi-tech companies. In 1995, he relocated to Hong Kong to further his career development, and served in several senior management positions for multinational enterprises and Hong Kong listed companies.

Ir Yeung has contributed significantly in promoting and developing the innovation and technology industry in Hong Kong and the region. He has served on many councils and advisory committees in the ICT industry associations, business angel networks, engineer professional bodies, as well as educational institutions.

Mr. Zhou Li is now the member of Editorial Board, the top decision-making body at China Daily Group, which is the largest national
English-language news media in China. He is now the publisher andeditor-in-chief of China Daily Asia Pacific, which manages operations in about 20 countries and regions including East Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Hong Kong.

Mr. Zhou joined China Daily in 1990, after graduation with Master of Law from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

From 1990 to 2015, he has been consecutively serving on editorial, business and management posts at the China Daily Group, starting from copy editor, assistant director, executive director to deputy managing director. He was also the publisher and editor-in-chief for Shanghai Star between 2006 and 2008.

Mr. Zhou is now the member of the Newspaper Society of Hong Kong, and the member of board at the Hong Kong Federation of Journalists. He is also the Chief Representative to Asia News Network (ANN), an alliance of 24 major media in 20 countries in Asia. He initiated China Daily CEO Roundtable and Asia Leadership Roundtable, which are by-invitation networks of government officials, CEOs and senior executives of Fortune 500 companies in Asia and China.

China Daily Asia Pacific

Alfred Romann is a writer and editor based in Hong Kong. He has more than 20 years of experience working in North America, Asia and Africa. Alfred is a contributing editor to China Daily Asia Weekly and the founder and managing director of Bahati Ltd., a company that produces unique research and editorial content. Originally from Argentina, Alfred studied journalism, history and economics in Canada, China and the U.S. and is currently completing a degree at Harvard Extension School. He has lived in Latin America, Asia and Africa. He is fluent in English and Spanish and conversant in Mandarin.

Silk Road Finance Corporation Ltd.

Member of the 13th National Committee of the CPPCC, Dr. Li is the CEO of Silk Road Finance Corporation, Vice Chairman of the Silk Road Planning Research Centre, Chairman and CEO of Chinastone Capital and the Vice Chairman of Chinese Financial Association of Hong Kong. He was Chief International Business Advisor of the China Development Bank, Vice Chairman of UBS Investment Bank Asia, and CEO of Bank of China International Holdings. Prior to joining BOCI, he was the Managing Director and Head of China Investment Banking at Lehman Brothers, Executive Director of investment banking and Chief China Economist at Goldman Sachs.

Dr. Li is also a co-founder of Soufun.com, a leading real estate portal listed on New York Stock Exchange. He hold several academic positions including Vice Chairman of the Institute for Governance Studies at Tsinghua University, Visiting Committee member of the MIT Economics Department and a member of the MIT Sloan Finance Advisory Board.

He holds a BS in MIS from Tsinghua University, an MA in Economics from the University of California, Davis and a PhD in Economics from MIT.

OECD

Margit Molnar is the Head of the China Desk at the OECD Economics Department. In 2015-16 she was seconded to China’s Ministry of Finance to support the G20 Presidency. She has held various positions at OECD working on issues ranging from globalisation, growth, productivity, macroeconomic policies to fiscal consolidation, financial sector performance, services and competition during the past 18 years. She had also been temporarily seconded to UNESCAP as Adviser leading empirical modelling projects as well as advising Bhutan, Mongolia and Brunei Darussalam on their macroeconomic and structural policies. Prior to joining the OECD, she consulted for the Japanese government project “The Asian Financial Crisis and Response of Macro-economy” in Japan, and conducted research for the Institute for World Economics of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. She is lead author of the 2017 and 2015 OECD Economic Survey of China, the Perspectives on Global Development 2014, the Multi-Dimensional Review of Myanmar and of many other reports and articles. She received her Ph.D. from the Graduate School of Economics, Keio University in Japan, M.As from Budapest Economics University and Ritsumeikan University and B.A. (Economics) from Renmin University of China.

Carson Wen is the Founder and Chairman of Bank of Asia (BVI) Limited and BOA Financial Group Limited. He is also the Chairman of the Sancus Group of companies, which has investments in policy driven sectors such as new energy, logistics, finance and technology. He has practiced law for over 30 years at his own Hong Kong partnership and subsequently at leading global law firms.

Mr. Wen was a three-term Deputy to the National People’s Congress of China. He is also a Justice of the Peace of Hong Kong the holder of Bronze Bauhinia Star (BBS) and held various public service appointments in Mainland China and Hong Kong. He was the Vice-Chairman and currently Party Affairs Advisor of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (“DAB”), the largest political party in Hong Kong.

Mr. Wen is a member of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) Sustainable Business Network and Chairman of its Task Force on Green Business. He is also a Director of the Pacific Basin Economic Council. He is also, inter alia, a Founding Director of the China M&A Association.
Mr. Wen obtained his B.A. in economics from Columbia University and B.A. and M.A. in law from Balliol College, Oxford University. He was Younger Prizeman in Law of Balliol College for 1976.

BD International Technology Group Limited

Mr. Zhang Zuxin, Chairman of BD International Technology Group Limited, With more than 20 years experience in information security, Mr. Zhang is familiar with both big data analysis and data mining method, focusing on cutting-edge technology research and application. He has extensive practical experience in disaster risk reduction and in the Wenchuan Earthquake in 2008, he first time participated in the emergency rescue and provided professional high-tech aid for the soldiers. Mr. Zhang is committed to promoting the exchange of information security, and visits abroad (including United States and Canada) to learn and exchange both advanced knowledge and experiences, maintaining smooth channels and good communication mechanism with other countries in satellite navigation. He is good at combining technology and innovation in different fields, such as artificial intelligence, wearable technology, network security, etc.

UNCITRAL Regional Centre for Asia and the Pacific

João Ribeiro-Bidaoui is currently Head of the UNCITRAL Regional Centre for Asia and the Pacific, managing technical assistance and capacity building programming available to over 50 States in Asia and the Pacific, namely least developed, landlocked developing and small islands developing States. In that capacity, he coordinates with Governments and international and regional organizations with respect to trade law reform activities. He also manages programmes to promote the rule of law in commerce in the context of UN Partnership Framework Agreements with Lao PDR and Papua New Guinea, aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. He presents regularly at major conferences in the region on key topics of international trade law, including investment and commercial arbitration. He has been involved in reviewing, commenting or drafting commercial legislation from China, Fiji, India, Kazakhstan, Lao PDR, Macau SAR, Myanmar, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia and UAE.

OECD Development Centre

Kensuke Tanaka is the Head of the Asia Desk of the OECD Development Centre (in France). He initiated and is in charge of several publications including the biannual OECD flagship publication ”Economic Outlook for Southeast Asia, China and India”. This publication started from 2010 and is now regularly presented at the occasion of the ASEAN/East Asia Summit. He also constructed the Medium-term Projection Framework (MPF) in 2009 based on a DSGE model approach to serve the forecasts for the Outlook. Then in 2012 jointly with ADB, he started the “Revenue statistics for Asian countries”, which provides comparable statistics of Asian countries on fiscal revenues. Between 2010-2013, he constructed Asian Business Cycle Indicators and release the quarterly bulletin “This Quarter in Asia”. He also led a project to create Narrowing Development Gaps Indicators with the ASEAN Secretariat in 2012.

In addition to analytical work, he initiated the policy dialogue network called “OECD-AMRO-ADB/ADBI- ERIA Asian Regional Roundtable on Macroeconomic and Structural Policies” which is held annually to provide an opportunity for 5 different international organisations to discuss hot issues in the region.

Before joining the OECD Development Centre, Mr. Tanaka was a Programme Manager at the OECD, Centre for Co-operation with Non-members, mainly in charge of Southeast Asian economic issues. He published “Shaping policy reform and peer review in Southeast Asia” in 2008. Previously, he worked at a public research institute and taught Monetary and Financial Economics in France as well as in Japan and held lectures at various universities in Asia.

Mr. Aung Naing Oo is the Director General of the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration under the Ministry of Planning and Finance.

He was in military service from 1981 to 2000. Then, he was appointed as a Deputy General Manager of the Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading (MAPT) under the Ministry of Commerce from 2000 to 2005. He was then promoted as a General Manger at the Export Department of MAPT in 2005.

In 2006, he became a Principal Officer (Deputy Director General) at the Minister’s Office of the Ministry of Commerce and in 2010, he served as a Deputy Director General of the Department of Border Trade under the same Ministry in 2010.

Afterward, he had been tasked as a Deputy Director General of the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA) under the Ministry of Planning and Finance (Formerly known as the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development) in May 2011. He has been promoted as Director General of the DICA since 2012. He has also been appointed as Secretary of Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) since May, 2014.

Mr. Aung Naing Oo has been very instrumental in driving positive organizational changes and improving the policy formulation process at DICA. He has played a leading role in recasting the regulatory environment in Myanmar and made it much more attractive for foreign investors by implementing the new Myanmar Investment Law and Rules. He also played an important part in drawing up the Special Economic Zone Law. At present, he led the redrafting of the Myanmar Companies Law which provides a modern foundation for doing business in Myanmar.

He has been actively participating in far-reaching economic reforms in other policy areas of the Government of Myanmar.

He was the Co-chair of OECD Task-force on updating Policy Framework for Investment and the framework was endorsed by the G-20 Summit and has been widely accepted internationally. He was also Myanmar’s Senior Economic Official to ASEAN.

Mr. Aung Naing Oo has a Bachelor of Arts and has post-university trainings in institutions including the World Trade Organization (WTO). He has participated in many international seminars and meetings related to investment, trade and ASEAN affairs.

He is married and has two daughters.

Fung Group

Pamela Mar is Director of the Fung Academy’s Supply Chain Futures group, which aims to equip Fung Group companies and suppliers with tools, technologies and knowledge to build sustainable, future-ready competitive supply chains. In addition, as Director, Sustainability for the Group, she supports the Group to develop environmentally responsible, while fostering growth and development in the emerging markets.

Prior to joining the Fung Group, Pamela was Director of the Global Finance Centre of TCL Multimedia Technology Holdings, a major Chinese television and consumer electronics manufacturer. She previously worked at the World Economic Forum as its Associate Director for China, as well as Population and Community Development Association, a Thai NGO based in Bangkok.

Pamela has published widely, including four books on Asian development and business. She is a fellow of the Asia Global Institute in Hong Kong. She has also given numerous talks on sustainability, corporate responsibility and Asia’s growth and development. Pamela graduated from Yale University summa cum laude with a degree in Philosophy and Chinese Studies. She holds an MSc Management degree from the London School of Economics.

Pelham Grey

Pedro Eloy is the Chief Executive Officer at Pelham Grey with a focus on investing in and incubating technology-based companies. As former Director/Senior Vice President of Digital at Fung Group/Li&Fung for 7+ years, Pedro championed 65+ cross-platform digital innovation initiatives and led various teams who brought the first digital awards to the Group.

With 24 years of international experience in Europe, North America and Asia, Pedro is the recipient of several awards including the Best Rebrand of a Digital Property Gold Award, the IMA Outstanding Achievement Award, the IACAS Excellence in Marketing Award, the Mercomm Galaxy Award, the Golden Web Awards and the J. William Fulbright Scholarship Award.

In academia, Pedro founded and is heading the businesslab MBA program at Hong Kong University, enabling students to transform their passion for entrepreneurship into business ventures.

In public sector, Pedro is an Executive Council member of ESCAP Sustainable Business Network and is the Chairman of the ESBN Youth & Women Entrepreneurship Taskforce promoting business leapfrogging and economic growth for Asia Pacific-based young entrepreneurs.

Recognized by the digital industry, Pedro is a Fellow of the British Computer Society, an Executive Member of the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences and a judge for the Webby Awards as well as several digital awards & entrepreneurship competitions.

Microsoft

Ron is a certified Professional Engineer (P.Eng) from Canada with a background in the HVAC industry. With a Bachelor of Applied Science (Chemical Engineering) from the University of Waterloo and later on an MBA degree from the University of Hong Kong and London Business School, Ron transitioned from the HVAC industry to becoming a Partner Development Manager in Microsoft Hong Kong focusing on partner-led managed IT services.

Aside from his fulltime career, he has also co-founded two start-ups and participated in numerous youth initiatives in local Toronto community. Continuing this passion for innovation, Ron has recently joined YET to actively promote entrepreneurship in the community.

MEDIA INVEST

Entrepreneur and Investor. Founded Empreendedor.com in 2014 and is currently the Managing Partner of Media Invest Group, an alliance of international companies that develops disruptive technologies in the Digital Media and Virtual Reality sectors. Former Lisbon Entrepreneur Fair and Startup Weekend organizer. Bsc, Engineering, Computer Science in Technical University of Lisbon.

HobaBike, Grand State International (HK) Limited

Joseph graduated from Edinburgh University with a MBA and an EE engineering degree from Kings College London University. He was the Principal Engineer at Jaguar & Land Rover and he led the Advanced Product Creation Group in their UK’s headquarter. He was responsible for the EV & advanced Battery technology and development of JLR’s advanced Driver-aid systems. He has also worked at Ford of Europe as their Emission control engineer and Engine development Manager since 1997. Joseph was also awarded with Henry Ford Innovation and Invention award for his contributions to Ford’s emission reduction innovation.

VERGE Ltd

Born and raised in Papua New Guinea, educated in Australia with ethnic heritage from the Philippines, Zha takes global citizenship to heart. Having lived in Shanghai for several years, she’s returned to Papua New Guinea more recently and founded a boutique brand consulting-agency, VERGE, which specialises in digital marketing and communications for middle-large tier organisations.

She is inspired by globally-focused entrepreneurship and particularly, its role in establishing opportunities for underserved markets. She’s also an advocate of the critical participation of women for true long-term success to be realised in all spheres of development.

In light of this, Zha dedicates probono training and workshops for women through the PNG Women’s Business Resource Centre, an organisation founded to foster an entrepreneurial eco-system and funded by CIPE.

During her time in Shanghai she also co-founded SOLARTEC, which focuses on distributing quality solar solutions specifically to the Pacific Region.

Currently, she is the only female board member to the Solar Energy Association of Papua New Guinea which is a young industry group working to influence policy and market conditions in order to allow solar energy to significantly contribute to the PNG economy – where 85% of the population are rural based and not connected to the main grid, and where diesel generators are a necessary contingency.

Zha enjoys collaborating across cultures and social spheres from grass roots villagers to institutional executives. Thus, she’s grateful that the two broad areas of her professional involvement in digital-development and solar energy are excellent spaces to allow such diversity of interaction and ultimately provide nation-building outcomes for PNG.

Green Monday

David Yeung is a noted environmental advocate and founder of Green Monday, an innovative social venture that takes on climate change, food insecurity, health issues and animal welfare with a diverse platform that shifts individuals, communities, and corporations towards sustainable, healthy, and mindful living.

Under Green Monday Mr. Yeung launched Green Common – the world’s first plant-based green living destination – to introduce a revolutionary food and lifestyle experience. The movement of Green Monday has now spread to 33 countries, with 1.6 million people practicing Green Monday at its Hong Kong origin.

Awards and recognitions won by Green Monday and Mr. Yeung include “50 Most Innovative Companies”. “100 Most Creative People in China”, “Asia 100 Pioneers”, “Ten Outstanding Young Persons Hong Kong”, “Best Idea of the Year”. He is also the author of a number of best-selling books on Zen wisdom and mindfulness. Mr. Yeung is a graduate of Columbia University and a Director of Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute (SIYLI), Hong Kong AIDS Foundation and Hong Kong Buddhist Association.

HSBC PayME

Adriana Lica is the Head of Commercialisation for PayMe from HSBC, overseeing the consumer and merchant product growth.

With over 8 years of leadership experience in creative, technology driven environments, Adriana is experienced in developing innovative product experiences, integrated marketing strategies and driving digital transformation agendas in APAC.

Adriana is an active mentor and instructor in Hong Kong, passionate about shaping future digital leaders. She currently mentors students and start-ups of all levels at Institute for Entrepreneurship at PolyU, SuperCharger FinTech Accelerator and Young Founder’s School.

As a recognized digital talent in Hong Kong, she frequently instructs at General Assembly and trains corporate in-house teams on Digital Marketing, Design Thinking and Digital Strategy. Some of her clients include Yahoo, Estee Lauder, Pfizer and PolyU.

Loughborough Design School

Dr Garrath T. Wilson is a Lecturer in Industrial Design and a member of the Sustainable Design Research Group at Loughborough Design School, Loughborough University. Loughborough University is a top ten UK university, with recognised excellence in both teaching and research, and is also one of only 15 universities in the world to be awarded a five-star plus rating by QS Stars.

Garrath has been involved with several major EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) funded projects, holding positions on CORE (Creative Outreach for Resource Efficiency), CLEVER (Closed Loop Emotionally Valuable E-waste Recovery), LEEDR (Low Effort Energy Demand Reduction), and CCC (Carbon, Control and Comfort). With a strong research and design consultancy background, he has written and talked internationally on the topics of User Experience Design, Product-Service Systems, and Design for Behaviour Change; with design work featured in TIME magazine and on the BBC.

Working with the United Nations’ Young Entrepreneurs Taskforce (YET), Garrath co-organises the Loughborough Design School UXathon, an annual design jam event that links User Experience Design and Industrial/Product Design students in the UK with businesslab MBA students at Hong Kong University.

Garrath received his PhD in Sustainable Design and MSc degree in Industrial Design from Loughborough University. He is also a Fellow of The Higher Education Academy, a member of The Institute of Leadership & Management, and a STEM Ambassador.

Loughborough Design School

Dr Val Mitchell is a Senior Lecturer in User Experience Design and Programme Director for the User Experience MA at Loughborough Design School, Loughborough University. Loughborough University is a top ten UK university, with recognised excellence in both teaching and research, and is also one of only 15 universities in the world to be awarded a five-star plus rating by QS Stars.

Working with the United Nations’ Young Entrepreneurs Taskforce (YET), Val co-organises the Loughborough Design School UXathon, an annual design jam event that links User Experience Design and Industrial/Product Design students in the UK with Business Lab MBA students at Hong Kong University.

Val has a PhD in User Centred Design and has been involved with several major EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) funded projects, holding leadership positions on LEEDR (Low Effort Energy Demand Reduction), REFIT (Smart Homes and Energy Demand Reduction) and HOTHOUSE (Hot water provision in homes: consumption, storage and lifestyle). With a strong research and design consultancy background, she has written and talked internationally on the topics of User Experience Design, Service Design and Co-Design and is co-author of Making Homes: Ethnography and Design.

ESBN Task Force on Disaster and Climate Risk Reduction

Mr. Asif Ibrahim is the chair of Task Force on Inclusive and Sustainable Trade and Investment, Sustainable Business Network, ESCAP Business Advisory Council. He is Vice Chairman of Newage Group of Industries, a business house involved mainly in manufacturing and exporting ready-made garments, textiles and plastic products, concurrently, Chairman of Business Initiative Leading Development of Bangladesh (BUILD) and member of the board of the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI). Mr. Ibrahim was awarded the Commercially Important Person (CIP) status by the Ministry of Commerce of Bangladesh in the year 2007 for his contribution in national export. He has degrees from the University of Delhi (India) and the University of North Texas (USA).

ESCAP Asian and Pacific Centre for the Development of Disaster Information Management

Mr. Puji Pujiono is the Senior Programme Officer of the Asian and Pacific Centre for the Development of Disaster Information Management (APDIM). This Tehran – Based regional institution of United Nations ESCAP aims to fill up the regional gaps in disaster information under the overarching sustainable development goals through three service lines namely regional repository of disaster information and knowledge, regional hub for capacity development and training, and a regional information services for cross-border disasters. Holding doctoral degree in Public Administration from the University of the Philippines, he has previously worked with various United Nations Agencies, UNDP Project Manager of the Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme in Bangladesh, as well as with ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management.

Indonesia Business Links

After finishing a 28 years of colorful career as a consultant, first with SGV Utomo and last as the Country Managing Director of Accenture, Heru has continuously pursued his idealism for a better world. From serving as a Board member of the Partnership for Governance Reform, founding Indonesia Business Links (IBL) to promote CSR, sitting at the School Board of ITB’s School of Business and Management to facilitating SMEs entry to the global world through the internet, he weaves his life with reform, development, technology and social cohesion.

After the tsunami devastated Aceh and Nias Heru found the ultimate challenge of rebuilding a poverty ridden, war torn and disaster shocked society by joining the Agency for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Aceh and Nias, BRR. Assuming the post of Director for Donor and International Relations he travelled the world to ensure continuous support by speaking at venues such as UN Headquarters in New York and Geneva, European capitals of Berlin, Copenhagen as well as sharing lessons learned in Islamabad, Bangkok, Haiti, Yangon for Nargis and The Philippines for Hayan. All that beside maintaining relationship with the World Bank, European Community and the donor country representatives in Indonesia.

On the private sector front Heru serves as Independent Commisioner and Audit Committee in Komatsu Indonesia and Excelcomindo respectively.

On the Government sector Heru served as a Deputy for Planning at the Indonesian President’s Delivery Unit, as a Secretary of the President’s Commission to support the UN’s High Level Panel for Post 2015 Development Agenda, and being the Minister/Head of Indonesia’s REDD+ Implementing Agency until 2015.

The Brunei Darussalam International Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Mr. Shazali Sulaiman, the resident partner of KPMG and the Chairman of the Brunei Darussalam International Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Brunei Darussalam, is specialized in the shipping and insurance as well as in the banking and finance industry. He has also extensive experience in the oil and gas services industry as well as audit and tax services of clientele ranging from financial institutions, Government Linked Companies, Statutory Bodies, trading, construction and manufacturing companies. Serving numerous Government and Non-Government committees, Mr. Sulaiman is also an Adjunct Associate Professor to University Brunei Darussalam and has presented, chaired and moderated numerous seminars and conferences within and outside Brunei Darussalam.

CSR-Asia, member of Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies

Richard Welford is Chairman of CSR Asia, a mission-driven business he founded that improves sustainability practices through consultancy thought leadership, events and professional networks throughout Asia. Now an ELEVATE company, CSR Asia is known for its pioneering work around sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the Asia Pacific region.

Richard has over 30 years of experience working with the business sector, United Nations, NGOs and other international agencies in the field of CSR with an emphasis on social justice, human rights, governance issues, community development and environmental management.

He has worked with some of the leading multinational enterprises and local companies in Asia including Disney, CLP Power, Nike, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Swire Pacific, Cathay Pacific, HP, IBM, HSBC, Citigroup, Accor, Credit Suisse, UBS, P&G and adidas.

Richard is currently an adjunct Professor at the University of Technology, Sydney. He has many years of experience in academia, pioneering courses and programs covering a range of issues including shared value, inclusive business, private sector engagement, supply chain risks, human rights and community investment. From 2002 to 2010, Richard was also a professor at the University of Hong Kong and headed up the Corporate Environmental Governance Program.

He is the author of 15 books and numerous refereed articles in the fields of environmental management and sustainable development. He is also the editor of 3 internationally recognized academic journals that develop and promote research around business and sustainable development.

Richard is also a Board Director of a number of other organizations including ERP Environment and is the Chairman AIDS Concern in Hong Kong.

DHL Resilience360
DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation
Deutsche Post DHL Group

Winnie Koh is the Business Development Manager of DHL Resilience360, Customer Solutions and Innovation department of Deutsche Post DHL Group.

Based in Singapore, she specializes in helping companies in APAC achieve end-to-end visibility of their global supply chains and build risk management capabilities using big data technologies. Her previous appointments in DHL include consulting and implementation of B2B digital solutions for companies, with a strong focus in maximizing efficiency for business operations.

Prior to DHL, she was part of the technology business group at International Enterprise Singapore, specializing in smart city solutions across different industry verticals. Through active engagement with governments, business partners and CXOs, she led technology companies in their global expansion and successfully introduced digital transformation initiatives in emerging markets.

Always excited by the new possibilities that technology brings, she leverages her regional experience across private and public sectors to developing innovative solutions, building strategic partnerships and supporting customers in building a resilient supply chain.

She is a graduate of Nanyang Technological University of Singapore, School of Communication Studies and holds a Master in Organizational Leadership from Monash University.

Dr. M. Emdadul Haque is currently working as Executive Member (Planning & Development) of Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority-BEZA under Prime Minister’s Office. BEZA was established in 2010 under an act of parliament. This organization is mandated to develop 100 economic zones throughout Bangladesh in next fifteen years with an additional employment generation of 10 million by developing 30,000 hectares of land with 40 billion USD worth of production & exports. Prior to his present assignment Dr. Haque worked in various ministries of the government of Bangladesh including planning, finance, foreign affairs, home affairs, public administration, expatriate welfare & overseas employment and also in the field administration. He was Project Director of Bangladesh National Household Database Project. He served in Bangladesh diplomatic missions in Jeddah and Riyadh. He is a post-graduate in applied chemistry & chemical engineering from the University of Dhaka. He did MBA with major in environmental management from the International Centre for Public Enterprises under Ljubljana University in Slovenia & obtained PhD in environmental sciences from Jahangirnagar University in Bangladesh.

Skyquest Technology Group

Akash Bhavsar is the Co-founder of SkyQuest Technology Group specializing in Scouting, Assessment, Incubation & Acceleration of Innovative technologies & ventures operating across 16 countries, working for MNCs, R&D centers, Govts and startups alike. He is also the Cofounder ofWaterQuest Hydroresources Management India Pvt. Ltd., an AI based Water Source Developmentcompany.

Akash is the Chief Architect of the Sustainable Development Goals Accelerator (SDGA). The SDGA identifies and supports disruptive innovations & start-ups that can radically transform businesses/industries in high impact areas viz. Agri & Food, Water, Health, Energy, ICT, Consumer care. Akash Chairs the Innovation & Competitiveness Task Force of the UN ESCAP, Sustainable Business Network-SBN (Thailand), Technology Innovation International-TII (Luxembourg), President of Indian Innovators Association, Western Chapter and commercialization advisor for International Federation of Inventors Association- IFIA (Geneva).

Over the last 14+ years, he has conceptualized and led several flagship programs for S & T agencies, Development agencies, Private sector, Public service R&D, Platforms, Start-up clusters etc. for both developing and developed ecosystems. Akash has been part of 40+ licensing deals & involved in fundraising of ~108+ Mn USD.

King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), Thailand

Lee, Jeong Hyop received his Ph.D. in economic geography from the Seoul National University. He is now a senior advisor of the Science Technology and Innovation Policy Institute (STIPI), Thailand for two years from July 2016 to June 2018 and a research fellow at the Science & Technology Policy Institute (STEPI) in Korea, where he served as directors of the Centre for STI Development and the Research Planning and Administration. Before he joined STEPI, he worked for the Korea Information Society Development Institute (KISDI).

While he was worked for the two government research institutes, he has consulted local and central governments of Korea and a few foreign governments. He helped the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology prepare a five year S&T plan and provide a master plan of industrial technology centers for the Egyptian Ministry of Industry and Technology. And he has experience working with various international organizations such as OECD, the World Bank, APEC, UN agencies. He has initiated a three year consulting project on innovation system diagnosis and STI strategy development for least developed countries from 2012 in partnership with the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT), UN ESCAP. HE has also worked with ASEAN countries to develop strategic STI roadmaps to address global challenges such as water (Indonesia), green energy (Vietnam) and other issues. Lastly he has cooperated with the African Network of Drugs and Diagnostics Innovation (ANDI) to develop STI strategies to overcome neglected diseases in Africa.

Incub8IP.com

Mr. O’Connor has spent more than 20 of his past 35 years in professional practice, with a specialization in Intellectual Property Commercialization. He is the Consultant Principal and major shareholder of Xenon Consulting and the Incub8IP program and is a published author in Business and Innovation.

Daniel and has established an international on-line video-based training and personal coaching practice in commercializing IP. He has also established a second Australian-based coaching business which works with service-based oraganisations to double their net income in ten months (or their money back). He has more than a dozen articles and 2 books published internationally and is always in demand as a speaker and trainer.

Daniel has a Bachelor of Business degree in marketing and an MBA in International Business. He has commenced his doctoral degree in International Business, focused on IP portfolio management and the commercialization of Intellectual property.

Social Ventures Hong Kong

SDGZ (Sustainable Development Goals for Generation Z)

Ms. Shriya Damani is a Thinker, Maker and a Serial Entrepreneur having started her entrepreneurial journey at the age of 18. She has gained several years of experience as a dynamic entrepreneur and a trained technology research professional and now is amongst the most sought after mentor and entrepreneur, over the last 10 years she has directed over 230 projects for various ecosystem Actors viz. Start-ups, SMEs, MNC’s, Fortune 500, Governments, STI agencies, Procurement Agencies, Clusters, NGOs, Financial Institutions, Investors etc. Ms. Damani has championed the cause for women entrepreneurship and sustainability in businesses by working on various awareness programmes for women. Being a Technocrat, she has been actively working towards implementing innovative solutions intending to create a sustainable ecosystem through various initiatives and in myriad capacities at National and International Platforms.

Asia Clean Capital Ltd

Bruce Hicks grew up in a small mining town in northern Canada. In 1983, he graduated with a BSEE from Michigan Technological University and, in 1987, with an MBA from IMD in Switzerland.

Bruce began his career with Motorola Communications Ltd. and, after graduating from business school in 1987, joined Hutchison Telecommunications Ltd in Hong Kong. In 1994, he became a founding partner in the Distacom Group of companies which developed and held interests in various new telecommunication ventures in Asia, Madagascar, Italy and the US. From 2002 to 2006, Bruce was CEO of SUNDAY Communications Ltd. (HKSE and Nasdaq) in Hong Kong and, from 2011 to 2016, he was Chairman of ANZ Communications LLC, a US-based diversified telecom company.

In 2006, Bruce founded TPIZ Resources Ltd, a Hong Kong company established to develop and hold his interests in green businesses in Asia. Today, TPIZ’s main operational activities are conducted through Asia Clean Capital Limited www.asiacleancapital.com which develops, owns and operates on-site renewable energy power plants at large commercial buildings and industrial facilities in China.

Bruce and his wife, Tracy, have two adult children, Reeve and Drake.

Rocky Mountain Institute

Lena Hansen is a Managing Director at RMI where she co-leads the China Program. She has 15 years of experience developing, testing, and implementing innovative efficiency and clean energy solutions. For the past several years, she led RMI’s U.S. Electricity Program, where she focused on electric utility business models and the integration of renewable and distributed energy resources into the grid. She co-founded RMI’s Electricity Innovation Lab (eLab), a unique multi-year collaboration of leading power sector decision-makers to create transformational solutions and co-authored the electricity chapter of Reinventing Fire: Bold Business Solutions for New Energy Era.

Lena Hansen is a Managing Director at RMI where she co-leads the China Program. She has 15 years of experience developing, testing, and implemenLena holds a master’s degree in Environmental Economics & Policy from Duke University, and a bachelor’s degree in Astrophysics from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

CLP Holdings

Mr Peeters, a Knight in the Order of King Leopold, has a master of science in electro mechanical engineering (hons. RUG Gent, Belgium), a postgraduate degree in business and IT administration (HEC Brussels, Belgium) and attended executive business training at INSEAD Paris, France.

Mr Peeters has been the Group Director & Chief Financial Officer since 1 April 2014. He was appointed the Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer of CLP Holdings with effect from 1 January 2016 with additional responsibility for Group business development oversight. He has over 25 years of experience in the energy industry. Prior to joining CLP, he was the Deputy Chief Financial Officer of GDF SUEZ (now known as ENGIE) Group based in Paris and Executive Director and CFO of International Power plc, a ENGIE subsidiary formerly listed on the London Stock Exchange and part of the FTSE 100. Mr Peeters was with GDF SUEZ from 1997 to 2013, gaining extensive experience in senior financial and operational roles in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and North America. He is a member of the CNBC Global CFO Council and the International Integrated Reporting Council.

Infosys Limited

Guruprakash is a sustainability professional with over 13 years’ experience in green buildings and sustainability. As Regional Head – Infrastructure, Guruprakash is responsible for environmental sustainability in new infrastructure of Infosys. This includes research, evaluation, implementation and dissemination of cutting edge technologies in various aspects of buildings to make them environmentally sustainable. The aim is to demonstrate leadership in sustainability and enable a paradigm shift in buildings and systems design in the industry and society. Over the last 10 years at Infosys, he has played a pivotal role in setting new standards in sustainability and achieving some of the most aggressive targets for the company. Today, Infosys is considered a global leader in environmental sustainability.

Guruprakash has a Masters degree in Sustainable Energy Engineering from KTH, Stockholm. He is a LEED Accredited Professional, Certified Energy Auditor and a Certified M&V Professional.