Asia Forum 2019 (08-10 May 2019, Reverie Saigon, Vietnam) Asia Forum is an annual regional forum organized by the Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide in a Southeast Asian city. This event serves the purpose of facilitating exchange between Hong Kong Business Associations in the region to cultivate deeper connections and business networking. The event is open to members of the 43 HK Business Associations under the Federation with active participation from members in Asia. The Asia Forum was successfully held consecutively in various cities in Asia since 2004 and started in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Asia Forums were held in Vietnam (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City) over the years. 1st Asia Forum (2004) - Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City) 2nd Asia Forum (2005) - Thailand (Bangkok) 3rd Asia Forum (2006) - Singapore 4th Asia Forum (2007) - Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City) 5th Asia Forum (2008) - China (Guangzhou) 6th Asia Forum (2009) - Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City) 7th Asia Forum (2010) - Singapore 8th Asia Forum (2011) - Thailand (Bangkok) 9th Asia Forum (2012) - Vietnam (Hanoi) 10th Asia Forum (2013) - Japan (Okinawa) 11th Asia Forum (2014) - Singapore 12th Asia Forum (2015) - Thailand (Bangkok) 13th Asia Forum (2016) - Singapore 14th Asia Forum (2017) - Philippines 15th Asia Forum (2018) - Malaysia 16th Asia Forum (2019) - Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City) With the support from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Hong Kong Business Association Vietnam (HKBAV) played host to the 16th Asia Forum held on 9-10 May 2019 at The Reverie Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. PARTICIPANTS With HKBAV as the host country this year, 88 participants attended the16th Asia Forum, including 28 representatives from the Hong Kong Business Associations in Indonesia, Cambodia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand as follows: The Federation of Hong Kong Business Association Worldwide (The Federation) Hong Kong Business Association Cambodia (HKBAC) Indonesia-Hong Kong Business Association (IDHKBA) Japan-Hong Kong Society – Miyagi (JHKS-Miyagi) Japan-Hong Kong Society – Kansai (JHKS-Kansai) Hong Kong-Korea Business Association (HKKBA) Hong Kong-Malaysia Business Association (HKMBA) Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. (HKCCPI) Hong Kong-Singapore Business Association (HSBA) Thai-Hong Kong Trade Association (THTA) PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Asia Forum Welcome Dinner Hosted by HKBAV (8 May 2019) Mr. Michael Chiu, Chaiman of HKBAV extended a warm welcome to all attending participants. Dinner Photos The members had the opportunity to unwind and were treated to a scrumptious dinner at Alpha King. Breakfast Seminar (9 May 2019) Welcome Remarks Mr. Hao Zhi Gang; Acting Consul General of The Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in HCMC extended a warm welcome to all attending participants. Opportunities and Trends for Hong Kong and ASEAN investors in Vietnam Mr. Luke Treloar, Director in Strategy of KPMG Vietnam introduced Vietnam economic outlook Mr. Luke Treloar demonstrated that Vietnam’s economy continues its fast growth driven by two megatrends, which are urbanization and trade and investment trends in Southeast Asian region. Panel Discussion Mr. Tran Thanh Huan, Mr. Fred Burke and Mr. Luke Treloar all agreed that Vietnam market still has much potential, and investors from Hong Kong and all over the world still have plenty of opportunities to invest in Vietnam. Meanwhile, infrastructure investment was pointed out frequently during discussion. In order to keep up with economic growth, it is suggested priority should be focus on infrastructure, especially airports and national roads. Finally, in responding to the question raised by a participant that what could be challenges in the next 5-10 years in Vietnam, the panelists strongly believed in the stable of the Vietnam Dong and the relationship between Ha Noi and Beijing, as well as the benefits Vietnam may gain from signing major FTAs. However, it is expressed that one of the changes needed for doing business in Vietnam was administrative reform as stated by another participant, the ease of procedures is more attractive than tax incentives. Internal Meeting of Heads and Representatives of HKBAs (9 May 2019) Welcome remarks Mr. Michael Chiu, Chairman of HKBAV welcomed all participants to the 16th Asia Forum in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Updates on Hong Kong’s development Mr. Peter Wong, Regional Director, Southeast Asia & South Asia, HKTDC started by introducing the GBA concept which aim is to establish an international technology and innovation center by co-ordinating the use of global resources and maximizing cross-regional cooperation in innovation development. Furthermore, he shared insights on the latest developments of the BRI, with GBA now linked as a part of the BRI. Updates on HKTDC Vietnam Office’s promotional activities & upcoming events in the region Ms. Tina Phan, Director, Indochina, HKTDC introduced HKTDC’s role to create opportunities in international trade by providing useful information, matching business partners, and connecting customers. Discussion session 1: Initiatives and Activity Plans of Hong Kong Business Associations in 2019/2020 HKBAs’ representatives from HKBAC, IDHKBA, JHKS-Miyagi, JHKS-Kansai, HKKBA, HKMBA, HKCCPI, HSBA, THTA and HKBAV were invited to highlight their achievements and activities in the past year, and to share and discuss major initiatives and activity plans for 2019/2020. Discussion session 2: Updates on Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations and HK Forum Members are invited to attend the discussion moderated by Ms. Stella So, Vice Chairperson of HKBAV and discuss about connecting all members closely by the Federation Network and boosting participation of young members. Mr. Dennis Chiu, Chairman of the Federation encouraged connecting all members closely by the Federation networks. Ms. Stella So (HKBAV) shared the same idea that all HKBAs may leverage the Federation website to highlight their upcoming events and activities. Ms. Stella So introduced the 12-weeks Inbound Internship programme in Hong Kong for tertiary students from B&R countries. The 2018 programme attracted 13 interns from Indonesia, Mainland China, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam, and Ms. Stella So suggested all HKBAs to encourage their young members to join. Ms. Tina Phan introduced the highlights and key elements of Hong Kong Forum, including Awards Presentation Ceremony, Keynote Luncheon & Farewell Dinner, Conference & Panel Discussions, Regional Caucuses and China Trip. Photos of Asia Forum Industrial Park Guided Tour (10 May 2019) The delegates visited KTG Factories, DW house factories, Daiwa House warehouse and E-factory on 10 May 2019.