Participants to this annual bilingual international business and economic forum can expect to learn more about the latest Chinese policies, opportunities presented by the just-concluded Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and what holds for the world in the era of new US President Joe Biden.
Looking to the future: Yeoh and Lee are all geared up for the upcoming WCES which will be held in a hybrid format due to Covid-19. The conference will look at post-pandemic investment opportunities in China, Asean and the Asian region. China, with over 400 million affluent middle-class people among its 1.4 billion population, is a ready consumer market for exporters of quality goods to the Middle Kingdom.
The conference’s welcome remarks will be made by Tan Sri Michael Yeoh, organising chairman of WCES; and introductory speech will be by Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew, founder and patron of WCES. The session The Greater Bay Area and Asean – Maximising Opportunities and Collaboration will look into opportunities offered by the world’s largest bay area, as well as how Asean entrepreneurs can make use of the GBA as a springboard into China and how China entrepreneurs can succeed in Asean.
The WCES was founded 11 years ago. It first began as an event focused on promoting business cooperation, trade and investments, and connecting the global Chinese diaspora, catering more for ethnic Chinese around the world. The 2020 conference, to be graced by Sultan of Selangor at the presentation of lifetime achievement awards during lunch session, will also promise an update on the US$1 trillion Belt and Road Initiative of China.
The experts from China are Dr Ma Weihua, former president and CEO of China Merchants Bank; Dr Wang Hui Yao, chairman of Centre for China & Globalisation and Counsellor to the State Council; Dr Yan Lijin, chairman of China Silk Road Group Ltd; and Dr Guo Wanda, executive vice-president of CDI.