Yangon, 7 March 2014 2014 ASEAN FORUM AEC – Implications for the Private Sector INTRO This year marks as an important year for Myanmar as it assumes the coveted chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on January 1 and leads the 10-nation group to becoming an economic community by 2015. The country has undergone dramatic changes at an extraordinary pace, attracting interest both from the private and public sector all over the world. An obvious sign is the soaring number of foreign visitors spotted in Yangon over the last recent years. WHO WE ARE ZICOlaw is an integrated network of independent legal and related professional service providers in the ASEAN region. The ZICOlaw network has its regional hub in Singapore while its member firms and other associated service providers are located in Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh, Yangon, Vientiane, Melbourne and Sydney. All eyes are on Myanmar and ZICOlaw is delighted to be part of the big wave by being one of the first foreign law firms to set up an office in Yangon last year, making it its seventh location outside of Malaysia. As part of the ZICOlaw network, ZICOlaw Myanmar Ltd has established itself as a leading local firm in Myanmar, supported by a network of firms providing legal and related professional services in the ASEAN region. For more information, please visit www.zicolaw.com. THE FORUM ZICOlaw is hosting a forum themed AEC – Implications for the Private Sector in Yangon, Myanmar from 3:30pm to 5:30pm, Friday, 7 March 2014, followed by a cocktail reception. The forum is part of the firm’s continuing effort to support integration and sharing of experiences amongst the key business players and professional communities in the ASEAN region. For your information, ZICOlaw has previously organised similar regional events in Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok and Singapore. The forum comprises 2 sessions over 2-hours. Both sessions are to be moderated by Ms. Desi Anwar, who is a well-known risk analyst in this region. Desi has extensive experience in public affairs expert, stakeholder management and socio-political risks analysis in Southeast Asia. In the first session, Mr. K. Kesavapany, a veteran diplomat from Singapore who previously headed the Institute of South East Asian Studies, will be providing an overview on the Challenges in Realising the AEC by 2015. This will be followed by commentaries by a panel of senior representatives from the public and private sectors who are actively involved in the ASEAN region. In the second session, Dr. Wong Yit Fan, former Country Head of Jardines Matheson in Myanmar, will be sharing his views on the AEC – Business opportunities for Private Sector. The panellists for this session will comprise of major players from the private sectors within the ASEAN region. The forum brings together prominent leaders to discuss issues of strategic importance to ASEAN and East Asia. It also provides a platform for sharing of ideas, information and best practices. The forum enables participants to be updated on new trends and challenges and to evaluate the impact on their businesses. It is ZICOlaw’s hope that this forum would increase ASEAN’s attractiveness as a region for trade and investment and enhances regional competitiveness. Last but not least, the forum also provides opportunities for extensive business networking and information sharing. 2014 ASEAN FORUM, AEC – Implications for the Private Sector Friday, 7 March 2014 Traders Hotel, Yangon Programme (As at 7 February 2014) 2.30 pm Registration and Refreshment 3.00 pm Opening Remarks Chew Seng Kok, Regional Managing Partner, ZICOlaw Introduction by Moderator Desi Anwar, Senior Socio-Political Risks Analyst in Southeast Asia 3.30 pm Session 1: Challenges in Realising the AEC by 2015 The regional economic integration is a key objective of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). The session seeks to define the challenges that are to be addressed for ASEAN to achieve an effective economic community. Speaker: K. Kesavapany, former Director, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies Commentators: H.E. Ong Keng Yong, Singapore High Commissioner in Malaysia and former Secretary-General, ASEAN U Moe Kyaw, Managing Director, Myanmar Marketing Research and Development (MMRD) Alexander Boehmer, Head of the OECD ASEAN Region Melvyn Pun, Executive Director, Yoma Strategic Holdings Limited Anangga W. Roosdiono, Chairman of Indonesia, ASEAN Business Advisor Council Chew Seng Kok, Regional Managing Partner, ZICOlaw Session 2: AEC – Business opportunities for Private Sector The private sector is a key stakeholder in the process of regional integration in the ASEAN region. This session will examine the challenges and opportunities for businesses in the region. Speaker: Dr. Wong Yit Fan, former Country Head, Jardines Matheson, Myanmar Panellists: V. Raman Narayanan, Executive Director, AirAsia Asean John Pang, Senior Advisor, Hakluyt & Company and Chairman, Global Agenda Council for Southeast Asia, World Economic Forum Tony Kinnear, Managing Director, ASEAN & North Asia, Thomson Reuters Dato’ Gan Ah Tee, Regional Senior Partner, BDO Asia Pacific Region Stephen A. Maloy, Senior Advisor, ZICOlaw, former Asia Pacific General Counsel, General Electric Chulapong Yukate, Senior Advisor, ZICOlaw, Indochina and Myanmar 5.30 pm Closing Remarks 5.45 pm Cocktail Reception