Bangkok Bank President Chartsiri Sophonpanich said the bank has organized the AEC Business Forum 2018 on June 19, 2018 at Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre at Central World. This is the third year the bank has organized the AEC Business Forum. The objective is to showcase Bangkok Bank's vision as "Thailand's Premier Bank in ASEAN" and share information about business opportunities to help Thai entrepreneurs' successful business expansion in ASEAN.
This year's Forum is organized under the theme of "Rising City, Rising Business", and it presents information about different countries in ASEAN, changes and developments in cities with rapid economic growth, new business opportunities arising from infrastructure development, urbanization, and new trade systems under a digital economy.
"Southeast Asia is a region of abundant business, trade and investment opportunities. At the same time, member countries of ASEAN are entering a new environment in which digital and technology revolutions will help add value and stimulate economies. Economies in ASEAN grew by an average of 4.8% in 2017 and per capita income and minimum wages in each country are continually increasing, so the bank has organized the Forum to introduce Thai entrepreneurs to new business opportunities".
Mr. Chartsiri added that this year it's a great honor for Bangkok Bank to welcome "Dato Lim Jock Hoi", Secretary-General of ASEAN and former Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Brunei Darussalam, to give the keynote speech on the topic of "Digital Economy to Drive ASEAN Integration".
For the first panel discussion, ASEAN business leaders will share their experiences and visions as CEOs on the topic of "ASEAN: Change and Business Model Transformation". The participating panelists are the Chairman and CEO of Minor International, Thailand, William E. Heinecke; Chairman and CEO of MPRL E&P, Myanmar, U Moe Myint; and CEO and co-founder of VinaCapital, Vietnam, Don Lam. The moderator is the News Anchor for Channel 3 HD, Bancha Chumchaivej.
The second panel discussion brings together young CEOs to give their views on the development of ASEAN cities with high economic growth and new business opportunities under the topic of "Rising City, Rising Business". The panelists are Executive Director and Country Manager of MPRL E&P, Myanmar, U Sithu Moe Myint; Director of LYP Group, Cambodia, Oknha Seng Nhak; and Executive Director and Group CCO and Managing Director at JWD InfoLogistics, Tanate Piriyothinkul. The panel is moderated by the Director of Academic Affairs, ASEAN Studies Center, Chulalongkorn University, Assistant Professor Piti Srisangnam, PhD.
Bangkok Bank Senior Executive Vice President Chaiyarit Anuchitworawong said the AEC Business Forum is not only a platform to provide information about ASEAN's changing economic landscape, but it will also help businesses to prepare themselves for trade and investment in the region. As a leading regional bank, Bangkok Bank can provide a full range of financial services supported by a strong international network covering nine out of 10 ASEAN countries, with long-established business connections and local expertise. The bank's in-depth understanding of the economic environment and regulations in each country enables it to meet customers' needs for business expansion and be "a trusted friend" supporting sustainable business success.