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The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Asean urged to embrace digital tech
- Illustrative photo. - The Nation/ANN BANGKOK: Experts and industry leaders gathered in Bangkok at the 4th World Digital Economy and Technology Summit on Friday (May 30), calling for further utilisation of digital technologies to overcome challenges amid global turbulence and enhance competitiveness in the rapidly evolving digital economy. Under the theme "Harnessing the Digital Revolution for a Sustainable and Inclusive Future", the summit brought together about 200 government leaders, technology pioneers, corporate innovators and academic experts to explore the immense opportunities and pressing challenges. "We are standing at the crossroads of an unprecedented technological revolution. This summit serves as a vital platform to ensure that innovation drives not just growth, but also sustainability and inclusivity," said Michael Yeoh, president of the World Digital Chamber and the KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific, a Malaysian think tank. "We believe that digital technology can be for the common good of mankind and humanity. Digital transformation can make companies and countries better in the future," Yeoh said. In his speech at the summit, Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin, president of Thailand's Digital Economy Promotion Agency, emphasised the need for smart public-private partnerships to close digital divides within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or Asean, region. Nuttapon said Thailand's burgeoning software and digital service industries hold immense potential to catalyse economic growth and create new jobs. Chonladet Khemarattana, president of the Thai Fintech Association, suggested that countries should leverage technology to make financial systems more efficient and enhance regional cooperation and sustainable development in the digital economy. "Starting with basic services like mobile banking, we can expand to include more services for those underserved," Chonladet said. As artificial intelligence has become a global trend, the summit also included a panel discussion on how AI is transforming business and society. Chhem Siriwat, co-founder and president of the AI Forum and adviser at BowerGroupAsia in Cambodia, said AI is shifting the economy from efficiency to intelligence across various industries such as manufacturing, finance and retail. He called for AI that is not only smart but also wise, advocating for sustainable digital economy practices, transparent governance, inclusive access to AI education, and global cooperation on AI ethics. He stressed the importance of connecting AI transformation to values, ensuring that profit is not the only measure, and that productivity is matched with purpose. Organised by the World Digital Chamber and the KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific, this year's summit was also supported by the China Daily Asia Leadership Roundtable as a media partner. The 2026 summit will have an expanded agenda and a renewed focus, including climate-tech and ethical AI. - The Nation/ANN
The Star
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
EMPOWERING ASEAN WITH SMART COLLABORATION
Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone receiving the 2024 Distinguished Asean Leader Award from KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific chairman Tan Sri Majid Khan during the Asean Leadership and Partnership Forum held in Vientiane, Laos, last year, in the presence of (from left) Sok and Yeoh. Unlocking Asean's potential through innovation, inclusivity and sustainable growth THE 2025 Asean Leadership and Partnership Forum (ALPF) is set to promote economic co-operation, business collaboration and alliance between governments, businesses and civil society to advance sustainable and inclusive development. The Asean Economic Club, Asean Business Club, Asean Business Advisory Council and KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific will jointly convene the ALPF on May 25, on the eve of the 46th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur. The ALPF is a leading regional forum convened annually in the country chairing Asean and it has been hosted across all Asean countries over the years. Beyond discussions and exchanges, the forum will serve as a vital platform for high-level networking to connect, exchange ideas and explore collaborations in key areas such as investment, innovation, technology, digital transformation and green growth. Yeoh said the ALPF focuses on public-private-people partnerships to uphold and promote the triple bottom line of planet, people and prosperity. Asean Economic Club (AEC) founder and chairman, and forum organising chairman, Tan Sri Michael Yeoh – who is also KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific president – said the ALPF focuses on public-private-people partnerships to uphold and promote the triple bottom line of planet, people and prosperity. From interactive sessions on digital innovations to roundtables on Asean connectivity, green growth and sustainable development, delegates from all 10 Asean countries will experience a dynamic environment conducive to dialogue, collaboration and action. The ALPF will also provide timely opportunities to discuss geostrategic and geoeconomic challenges in an increasingly volatile environment. Distinguished speakers at the forum will include the Prime Ministers of Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam, as well as ministers, business and thought leaders from Asean member countries. The forum paves the way for Asean to take bold steps towards a more relevant, equitable and sustainable future. 'It has never been more timely and critical to discuss Asean leadership and partnership. 'The foundation of Asean prosperity is shaken. The world has changed,' said Asean Business Club (ABC) president and former Asean Business Advisory Council chairman Tan Sri Dr Munir Majid. 'It has never been more timely and critical to discuss Asean leadership and partnership,' said Munir. 'We are grateful, therefore, to the Asean leaders gracing our event to address the challenges before participants of the forum.' The forum will gather a distinguished lineup of speakers from across the regional grouping of 10 states and beyond, including policymakers, business leaders and scholars. Sessions will address topics such as digital transformation, sustainable development, innovation ecosystems, green economy and inclusive growth. Among the prominent speakers are: > Senior Minister, Royal Government of Cambodia advisor, Cambodian Development Resource Institute board chairman and AEC adviser Dr Sok Siphana; > Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI) founder, AEC co-chair and former Indonesian Foreign Affairs vice minister Dr Dino Patti Djalal; > Center for China and Globalization (CCG) founder and president, and China State Council former counsellor Dr Henry Huiyao Wang; > Hong Kong Legislative Council member and Hong Kong Productivity Council chairman Sunny Tan; > China Daily Asia Pacific publisher and China Daily Group deputy editor-in-chief Zhou Li; > ESCAP Sustainable Business Network (ESBN) chair, Sintesa Group chief executive officer, and Indonesian Employers Association chairman Shinta Widjaja Kamdani; > SGV & Co (Ernst and Young, Philippines) senior policy advisor and former Philippines Foreign Minister Delia D. Albert; > Indian Chamber of Commerce director-general Dr Rajeev Singh; > EU-Asean Business Council (Singapore) executive director Chris Humphrey; > The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China Belt and Road commissioner Nicholas Ho Lik-chi. The forum is sponsored by the Kuok Group and Asia Platinum Capital, with Star Media Group Bhd, China Daily and Khmer Times as media partners.
