Asean-BIS to focus on the opportunities, requirements

According to Oudet Souvannavong, Chairman of the Asean Business Advisory Council (Asean-BAC), "Asean-BIS brings into sharp focus the opportunities, requirements and questions facing the private sector, and explores the myriad of possibilities brought forth by the onset of the AEC."

 

The summit will run from September 5 - 7, inviting corporate leaders to unite in a two and half day conference that will serve as an ideal platform to explore opportunities in elevating their businesses on a regional stage. 

 

ABIS will feature more than 400 companies across the region providing attendees with the ability to plug into Asean's extensive network of partnerships. 

 

The key focus of this 13th installation of ABIS is to assist businesses in exploring new prospects as the AEC is being implemented with a strategic outlook to AEC 2025. 

 

With Laos chairing Asean 2016, this year represents the most important installation for ABIS in Laos and the conference which complements the 28th Asean summit held during the same period. 

 

The theme of the ABIS 2016 is "Operationalising AEC - Turning Vision into Reality". It relates to issues such as complementing regional and global free trade agreements, fast tracking business development and integration in energy, infrastructure and environment, global megatrends and regional integration, AEC sustainable economic development, the future of technology, micro and SMEs' engine for growth and the role of youth and women in business, as well as trade and transport facilitation. 

 

As part of ABIS 2016, the AEC Symposium will also be held on the second day, with the theme "Global Megatrends and their Impact on the AEC". 

 

This theme is particularly relevant as the world economy is increasingly defined and influenced by a variety of global megatrends from the proliferation of global value chains, to accelerating digital technology advancement, with far-reaching impacts on business, economies, industries, societies and individuals. 

 

Global megatrends have been reflected as a new focus area in the AEC Blueprint 2025, and it is essential for Asean to recognise and capitalise on these in the progress of its regional integration agenda. 

 

The AEC symposium is therefore aimed at building awareness and understanding of global megatrends, its multiple drivers and change factors.

 

It will also contribute towards Asean-wide efforts and support the implementation of relevant measures in the AEC Blueprint 2025.

 

The symposium will also organise special sessions on the launch of the Asean Investment Reports 2016 in partnership with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD); on the Asean Tariff Finder - a no-cost on-line search engine for tariff related information for relevant Asean Free Trade Agreements; and the Asean Solutions for Investments, Services and Trade (ASSIST), a no-cost online trade facilitation tool aimed at delivering practical solutions to Asean-based enterprises for specific intra-Asean cross border trade problems. 

 

On September 5, 2016, ABIS 2016 will also host the Asean business awards (ABA). This prestigious award ceremony recognisesAsean companies that excel in the categories of: Growth, Employment, Innovation and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). 

 

There are 60 nominations of candidates for the awards from more than 10 countries including for Friend of Asean Awards.

 

For this year, the official auditor and strategic partner is KPMG, an international auditor.

 

The ABIS 2016 is organised by the Asean-BAC and the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) as the lead organisers, and co-organisers of the AEC Symposium with the Asean Secretariat. The AEC Symposium is supported by the Australian government through the Asean-Australia Development Cooperation Programme II (AADCP II).