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PM to open WEF on Asean
Cambodia for the first time will hold the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Asean with Prime Minister Hun Sen opening the three-day meeting today that brings together more than 700 leaders from business, government, academia and civil society.
The theme for this year’s WEF on Asean is “Youth, Technology and Growth: Securing Asean’s Digital and Demographic Dividends”.
“This topic was selected by WEF as they found that in Asean countries there are more than 50 percent of people below the age of 35. Many of these young people are technologically savvy and that’s why this theme was chosen for the forum,” said Public Works and Transport Minister Sun Chantol.
“This theme was also chosen because we want the young people of Asean to drive the technological development of the region. They are the future leaders of tomorrow,” he added.
Justin Wood, head of Asia and the Pacific at the World Economic Forum, said that the regional grouping turned 50 this year and the WEF on Asean was a perfect moment “to reflect on all that the region had achieved over the past five decades”.
“Importantly it is also to develop fresh ideas and catalyse new initiatives to take the region into the future,” he added.
Mr Wood said the 10 nations of Asean had good potential to continue delivering prosperity to their young populations.
However he pointed out that in an era of increasingly rapid economic, geopolitical and technological change, the task of identifying opportunities, navigating risks and setting policy required new approaches.
“The meeting in Phnom Penh will bring together all stakeholders in society to work on these new approaches,” he said.
The private sector leaders told Khmer Times that the WEF on Asean will give the country a chance to showcase its economic development globally.
In Channy, president and group managing director of Acleda Bank, said he will be a panelist at the forum in a session with 600 delegates.
“This will give me an opportunity to present Cambodia’s achievements. Also the delegates would be able to appreciate the kingdom’s progress from their own perspective, based on what they see in the country,” said Mr. Channy.
“This is an opportunity that should not be passed over. The World Economic Forum has chosen Cambodia to host the WEF on Asean and that is a great honour for the country.”
The WEF on Asean, in its 26th year, has had every country in the 10-member regional grouping host it, except for Cambodia and Laos.
Sear Rithy, chairman of WorldBridge, a local conglomerate, said the forum provided a good opportunity for local investors to network with international institutional investors.
“If you look at our investment policy, we are better than others in the region. We are open to all investors and they can own 100 percent of their business without a local partner and enjoy tax incentives at the same time,” he said.
David Van, managing director of Bower Asia (Cambodia), said Industry 4.0 manufacturing would be discussed at the WEF on Asean.
“It is all about the increasing connectivity of smaller and smaller components using artificial intelligence and human-to-machine interface,” he said.
“We are now living in the 21st century and technology is revolutionising the entire world.
“Cambodia cannot escape from such a global trend and it is imperative that our youth catch up rapidly skills wise with this new reality. Otherwise Cambodia will be left behind.”
Source: http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/38235/pm-to-open-wef-on-asean/