Ministry of Trade and Industry (Singapore)’s Post

Every year, the British Chambers of Commerce in South East Asia, collectively Britain in South East Asia | BiSEA, get together twice in our markets to share best practice, share how best we can support UK companies in market, and collectively as a group promote an extremely exciting region, connecting UK and local businesses together. ASEAN is predicted to be economically larger than the EU by 2050, and the commitment of the Chambers in the region, collectively with our members who operate here and have local and regional partnerships can be a great rung on the ladder for those looking to expand. In Singapore a new Strategic Partnership was signed on the 9th September, covering: Economic cooperation; Defence security, intelligence and foreign policy cooperation; Climate, sustainability, green economy and energy partnership; Research, science, innovation and technology; and, Public sector cooperation. As the activities in ASEAN build, keep in touch with a British Chamber or Commerce in the market(s) that you are interested in - they are well connected, foster excellent dialogue, help create meaningful partnerships and are a great resource for companies exploring a market, expanding into a market, here in market, or looking to further expand regionally.

It was incredible day here in Venlo-Netherlands where I coordinated the 8th annual international conference of Business and management in emerging markets (ICBMEM). Much appreciation to our key contributors who are Prof Wolfgang Amann(HEC Paris in Qatar), Prof Shiv Tripath (Vice Chancellor Atmiya University-India), Prof Caroline Ditlev-Simonsen (BI-Norwegian Business School, Norway), Prof Riccardo Valboni (Utrecht University, Netherlands) and several other participants who joined us both online and offline The key takes from the symposium are: 1. When it comes to regional investments, the locational decisions of the leading firms influences the other players with relatively similar cultural orientation 3. Supply chain for many goods are not resilience to the shocks as it has been assumed. Global supply chain systems needed to be backed up with the regional supply chain systems. 4. Most models for studying economic and business progress have fundamental gaps as they are limited in the area humanistic measurements 5 Need to shift from the branded CSR to a concious CSR

As we embrace the Year of the Dragon, I am both humbled and exhilarated to step into the role of Vice Chair of The American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai (AmCham Shanghai) Board of Governors. This appointment comes at a pivotal time when the dynamics of US-China relations and the global economic landscape are rapidly evolving. The recent dialogue between President Biden and President Xi, marked by a shared commitment to deepening engagement, sets a promising backdrop for our efforts at AmCham Shanghai. It is against this backdrop that I, alongside my fellow Vice Chair Cameron Johnson 江凯明, Treasurer Helen (Haoyang) Hu and General Counsel Liza Mark, am tasked with steering our Chamber through a period of strategic transformation and heightened bilateral engagement. Our board, under the visionary leadership of Allan Gabor, is poised to navigate these changes with a focus on stability, growth, and the facilitation of meaningful dialogues between our two nations. The establishment of the #MNC and #SME Advisory Councils, led by Simon Yang and Cameron Johnson 江凯明 respectively, reflects our commitment to addressing the diverse needs of our members and fostering a vibrant ecosystem for multinational corporations and small and medium-sized enterprises alike. Moreover, the creation of the Special Envoy for People-to-People Exchanges, a role entrusted to Helen (Haoyang) Hu, underscores our dedication to building bridges between the people of the United States and China. This initiative resonates with my own beliefs in the transformative power of mutual understanding and collaboration. It is clear that the presence of American business in China is not only pivotal for the US-China relationship but also instrumental in bolstering the economies of both nations and the globe. As we look forward to 2024, I am inspired by the resilience and ingenuity of US businesses operating in China. Our collective journey ahead is one of collaboration, innovation, and shared success. I am eager to contribute to this mission, working closely with our members, the board, and the AmCham staff to not only navigate the challenges but also seize the opportunities that lie ahead. I extend my deepest gratitude to the AmCham Shanghai community for entrusting me with this responsibility. #AmChamShanghai #Leadership #USChinaRelations #YearOfTheDragon #GlobalBusiness

Last Friday, November 3rd, 2023 marked a pivotal moment in fostering international business relationships for SSACCI - Singapore South Asia Chamber Of Commerce And Industry. Our dynamic Vice Chairman, Dr Balakrishnan Ramanathan had the pleasure of participating in a networking session with Bhutanese Delegates in Singapore.   The energy in the room was palpable as professionals from diversified industries engaged in meaningful conversations, exploring the avenues for collaboration and partnerships. It was indeed a fruitful experience, witnessing the genuine interest of our Bhutanese Counterparts in establishing strong ties with the Singapore business community.   Kudos to Mr. Thiban and his dedicated team members for seamlessly organizing this impactful event. Their commitment to facilitate effective communication and connections was evident throughout the session.   The extensive range of discussions covered during the event showcased the potential for robust collaborations between the two nations. From trade opportunities to cultural exchange, the avenues for cooperation are vast.   Networking isn't just about exchanging business cards; it's about building bridges and creating long lasting relationships. This networking session has paved the way for smoother entry and collaboration between the two nations. A special appreciation to Dr. Ram for representing SSACCI with distinction at this significant event. Your presence added immense value to the discussions, and we are grateful for your dedication to advance our mission.    For more information follow and connect with Dr Chinnu Palanivelu FCA for a wealth of industry knowledge, insightful discussions, and updates on the latest developments in all our endeavors. 💼📚📰 #InternationalBusiness #NetworkingEvent #SSACCI #SingaporeBusiness #BhutanesePartnership #TradeOpportunities #CulturalExchange #GlobalCollaboration #BusinessNetworking #IndustryLeadership

How does my tech background influence my approach to chairing the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT)? As I discuss with Greg Watkins MBE in this clip from our recent chat, I don't think I add anything particularly unique. But our Board of Directors has been getting younger with each election over the past few years, and it’s been great to add some different, more tech-focused perspectives into the mix. Watch the full video here: https://lnkd.in/gUvi4385

Last Chance to register in the upcoming 'Trading with #Japan Webinar. Join this free virtual session and learn about #export #import #trade opportunities for British Companies - specially in the framework of the upcoming #Expo2025 in Osaka!!!1 It's open for members and non-members!

Joined #cgtn to discuss CIIE and what we’ve learned: What are the big takeaways? First, a breakthrough year. CIIE is only six years old but half was under #covid. This year was nothing reserved or spartan and people are eager to do business, recalling a #shanghai spirit that’s been absent for years. Second, commitment. Premier Li opened the meeting in person, it remains one of President Xi’s key initiatives, and we know that Li, when he was head of Shanghai, was Xi’s local partner for CIIE. Now that Li’s risen it’s good to see him remaining invested in the Expo’s success, including announcements of new free trade policies. A clear signal... Third, we see better now how CIIE is a vital component of a broader vision. For example, we see #bri featured at the Expo, we see the General Secretary of the #sco attending among others. As these other efforts mature, we see how #ciie is supporting them. Fourth, we’ve seen a massive positive response, including record numbers of firms overall, from the US and developing countries, as well as foreign leaders, along with a record number of deals and MOUs being signed. We’ll see how many are executed in the months ahead and how much they contribute to trade figures but the signs are encouraging.   Fifth, if you live in the Shanghai one of the big takeaways is don’t drive or take a taxi during the Expo! Take the subway or get stuck in traffic. The key point the Expo has returned the spotlight on Shanghai as the mainland’s global city for international trade. In short, we’re well past the pandemic, on the road to recovery, and Shanghai is completely open for business. It was great to see so many returning...   What’s the temperature on China’s economy and outlook?   The Chinese economic recovery is muddling through, with encouraging data and bright spots coupled with areas of lingering concern. I think we all wish it was improving faster but here are three points that most find agreeable:   First, the Chinese economy is doing fine compared with others. The world is in a slump and this should be hammering China. In fact we’re seeing resilience and better than expected numbers related to imports and exports.   Second, there are significant areas of concern but these are manageable. In fact we haven’t seen Beijing really go all out to stimulate growth. It’s keeping its powder dry for the most part, giving more play to the market and reserving capacity to intervene with bigger stimulus or policy supports if necessary.   Third, China is a massive market and it isn’t going anywhere. Companies hesitated to come here decades ago because they didn’t know how they would be received, but now some are hesitating because they’re being discouraged by their own governments’ protectionism. That’s for them to sort out at home; but the Chinese market is more open and attractive than ever. This is the message that CIIE reinforces, for sellers and investors.

Taiwan wholeheartedly Opens its Arms to welcome the world. Let’s MEET TAIWAN Again! Discover a thriving and vibrant destination with easy accessibility, MICE venues ideal for all types off business events, and tailor-made services—Taiwan is truly a prime destination choice. Taiwan's unique blend of modern infrastructure, cultural richness, and natural beauty make it an attractive destination for business travelers and event organizers, contributing to its reputation as a leading destination for the MICE industry. Looking into 2023 and beyond, Taiwan will be expecting more than 500 business events, including international conferences and corporate meetings. 390 thousand business travelers are anticipated to generate economic benefits of around USD800 million, with an estimated total value of USD2 billion for the Taiwan MICE industry. As of September 26, 2023, the Taiwan Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT), MOEA has been formally renamed and is now the Taiwan International Trade Administration (TITA), MOEA. More information: https://lnkd.in/gV48NVzS #MEETTAIWAN https://lnkd.in/g6wakzBR

We published a report about the China International Import Expo. In the lead up to the 6th CIIE taking place from this weekend, we surveyed our member companies in Shanghai about their experiences with the CIIE. We found that participation has fallen since the first CIIE in 2018 by 10 percentage points. While renewal rates remain high, new attendees have been harder to attract due to logistical barriers and high costs of participation - especially for SME. Overall, it is seen by our members as a political show, best placed for promotion and marketing rather than business impacts. Our report suggests recommendations for how the CIIE can be improved going forward, to find out more read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/gbNJGXS6 #europeanchamber

#VoyagesAfriq This year’s report stands out for the increased continental diversity in the Top 20 country rank as, besides European, Asian and North American countries, Latin America and Oceania were also represented compared to 2022. Additionally, the findings included the addition of an Asian destination into the year’s top five spots. ICCA https://lnkd.in/dKDtuz_e