Dear Friends of PBEC,
As we look ahead to celebrating 58 years since the founding of PBEC in 1967, we wanted to reflect on our journey and the pivotal role each of you plays in our continued success. From our origins in California USA to our current home in Hong Kong since 2003, our commitment to fostering economic collaboration in the Asia Pacific remains steadfast.
In 2024, PBEC hosted and co-organized 32 events and meetings, significantly contributing to our community’s engagement.
In this latest annual report brought to you by the (PBEC) – Pacific Basin Economic Council, we examine the current equilibrium between strategic & voluntary initiatives at companies in Asia Pacific and compliance efforts in disclosing such emissions. The report assesses the progress and challenges faced by businesses as they strive to meet net zero targets in the coming years. This report provides an analytical overview of the scope 3 emissions reporting landscape in the region, providing insights into one of the defining corporate themes of our time, and a look at how companies in Asia Pacific are responding.
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From China’s slowing growth to Malaysia and Singapore’s electronics-driven resilience – a new ICAEW report analyses how South-East Asia’s economies are shaping up for 2025. While China grapples with structural challenges, Malaysia and Singapore look set to benefit from global electronics demand, but face pressures from inflation, fiscal tightening and cautious consumer behaviour. That’s the conclusion of the ICAEW Economic Insight Report Q4 2024, which paints a mixed picture for the region. Prepared by Oxford Economics and supported by PBEC,…
Several senior PBEC members & board of directors attended fellow Corporate Member ICAEW Annual Gala Dinner at the Grand Hyatt in Hong Kong on the 24th October. Over 260 senior executives, founders, CFO & CEO’s were in attendance co-hosted by Sir David Li Executive Chairman at Bank of East Asia & Alan Vallance the new CEO of ICAEW founded in 1880. Our own PBEC Chairman Andrew Weir MBE, BBS, JP who is a council member of ICAEW spoke at the…
New partnership is with Taiwan-headquartered Eos Rhea Metis (“ERM”), a network of experts specialising in enterprise and engineering risk management. By leveraging ERM’s extensive network across Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia, the partnership will provide QBE and its customers with complementary expert insights and specialised knowledge in support of engineering and property underwriting, enhanced risk assessment processes and wider market access. Read full PR here: https://enmobile.prnasia.com/releases/apac/qbe-announces-strategic-partnership-to-bolster-its-risk-engineering-capabilities-in-greater-china-465669.shtml
“PBEC wishes to express heartfelt congratulations to @Andrew Weir our Chairman as we recognise his career at KPMG upon his retirement from 32 years of service. Throughout his career, Andrew has held pivotal roles, including Regional Senior Partner of Hong Kong and Global Head of Real Estate and Asset Management. His leadership has continued to enhance PBEC’s profile, notably through his extensive professional experience servicing boards and audit committees of listed companies, financial services, public bodies and family offices in…
Two of our leading subject matter experts in ESG and Vietnam’ latest economic developments caught up with each other in HCMC. It was the first time they had met face to face since being speakers together on the PWC ESG Readiness talk in 2022. Great to see PBEC family members taking time to meet with one another. Great Photo.
Aboitiz InfraCapital—the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz family’s Aboitiz Equity Venture has won a contract to upgrade and operate an international airport in southern Philippines. The company will spend 12.8 billion pesos ($226 million) to upgrade the Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental, a province on the southern island of Mindanao. The 30-year contract to operate the airport is expected to be signed with the government by the end of this month, it said. Laguindingan International Airport artist impression image by…
Hong Kong – 2nd September 2024 : – The Pacific Basin Economic Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Anthony Chan, CEO of Isola Capital to its board of directors, with immediate effect. “I have had the privilege of getting to know Anthony over the past 3 years and witnessed at first-hand his passion and generosity for engaging his clients and fellow PBEC members. He has been an active participant at our roundtable dialogues and public events as an…
Dr. Morgan Carroll resides in Hanoi, Vietnam and recently stepped down as the Director of Environmental, Social, & Governance (ESG) at Vingroup and VinFast. He was responsible for developing and implementing global ESG strategies in Vingroup and VinFast to enhance the business sustainability culture. He is originally from South Africa and resides in Vietnam. Dr. Morgan has demonstrated proficiency in the complex Environmental Social Governance landscape for multiple MNC’s and sectors which is a key area of focus for the…
PBEC – Pacific Basin Economic Council is by invitation ONLY a members based institution, that supports connectivity and cross-border regulatory standardisation efforts within APAC for all technological advancements, through dialogue, engagement and collaborative efforts.
PBEC’s focus is to continual attain recognition as the most comprehensive multilateral platform for APAC business leaders to engage with, advocating key trade issues of importance under a fair rules based system, thus promoting cooperation amongst member States to achieve inclusive, sustainable economic and social development in Asia and the Pacific.
Despite the uncertainty about what lies ahead for global trade, there are still reasons for optimism about its resilience and its enduring role as a catalyst for positive change, and these are encapsulated in the current trends that are shaping the landscape.
As 2024 Q2 draws to a close, economies in Asia Pacific are facing what is projected to be a modest slowdown to approximately between 3.5% to 4.2% on average according to the IMF. But this paints over some of the risks within individual economies, such as the deeper property sector, corrections in China and Vietnam which remain important factors in both. This trend reflects macroeconomic factors but also the impact of persistent corruption and un-tethered growth of the last decade in these sectors.
Geopolitical tensions, including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East and security threats to shipping in the Red Sea, have continued to disrupt global supply chains, and shipping/container prices which get passed on to consumers.
ESG factors have become mainstream and are now a top concern for Boards of Directors. Proper ESG implementation can help businesses and regional Government authorities address current social cohesion challenges and seize future opportunities. On this episode of the Value Prop, we are joined by David Ching Heng Hoe, CEO of Ong & Ong Vietnam and a board member of the PBEC, who shares his insights, challenges and opportunities on the real estate sector and major infrastructure developments in the Mekong region, in particular in Vietnam and Laos, including the company’s pioneering work in social housing projects since 2007 which is now firmly on the agenda of regional Governments in SE Asia.
You have the chance to hear Andrews perspectives first-hand on this and the Asian region.
Theme: Financial Inclusion & Digitalisation When: Mon 24th Mar Feb 2025 1600-1730L (HKG/PEK/SIN/KUL) Local Time Where: Hybrid Event – KPMG, 8/F Princes Building, Central, HK Bauhinia Meeting Room All attendees are asked to kindly register here whether planning to attend online or in person: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/LNPKFEk0TQqfcePR62rxDw Please email michael.walsh@pbec.org or whatsapp +8532 6014 9899 if you plan to attend physically. Available seats will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.
Theme: Building a Sustainable Tomorrow When: Tue 11th Feb 2025 1600-1730L (HKG/PEK/SIN/KUL) Local Time Where: Hybrid Event – KPMG, 8/F Princes Building, Central, HK Bauhinia Meeting Room All attendees are asked to kindly register here whether planning to attend online or in person: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/2myrpM7mTGqp2Kp8njJuaw Please email michael.walsh@pbec.org or whatsapp +8532 6014 9899 if you plan to attend physically. Available seats will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.
