The “Redefining Asia’s Challenges and the New Role for Vietnam” conference aims to explore the impact of the global financial crisis on Asian economies and examine the opportunities and challenges in Vietnam’s development and its global integration.

“The wide range of business leaders and investors from around the world who are present here today is a testament to Vietnam’s vast strides over the past few years and its increasing engagement in the regional economic arena,” from Asia Society president Vishakha Desai wrote in her message to the conference.

“Even as the world is impacted by the economic crisis, foreign investors continue to believe in Vietnam’s long-term growth potential,” her message continued.

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan gave the opening keynote address on the first day.

Confirmed international speakers include Charlene Barshefsky Charlene, senior international partner, John Negroponte, vice chairman, McLarty Associates, and former US Deputy Secretary of State; Henry B. Nguyen, managing general partner, IDG Ventures; Ton Nu Thi Ninh, president, founding committee; Indonesian Minister of Trade Pangestu; Singapore Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan; and Ayumi Konishi, Asian Development Bank country director for Vietnam, according to the organizers.

The organizers said “redefining Asia’s challenges” includes such questions as: How is the Asia-Pacific region addressing the complexities of the financial crisis and how will Vietnam weather the impact of the current global economic dislocation? How will U.S. policy towards Asia be impacted by the Obama administration? How is the region implementing integrated strategies to achieve collective sustainable growth? How is Vietnam improving its infrastructure and how can other models from Asia serve as examples? With the ambitious goal of being a middle-income developing economy, what economic policies does Vietnam need to implement and how will it sustain positive growth?

The organizers also said the conference draws 850 attendees from 19 countries and regions. The venue is the Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers.

The Asian Corporate Conference was last held in Vietnam in Hanoi in 2003, and opened with a keynote address from then Prime Minister Phan Van Khai.

Asia Society is a global organization working to strengthen relationships among the people, leaders and institutions of Asia and the United States.
Source: SGGP