"Gateway to ASEAN" conference held in Vietnam for the first time

Previously held in Singapore and Indonesia, the "Gateway to ASEAN" conference, organized by UOB, made its debut in Vietnam on September 6, attracting over 600 participants, including economic experts, researchers, and business leaders from many economies, including those in ASEAN, China, Hong Kong (China), and others.

The 2024 "Gateway to ASEAN" Conference has, as expected, made a significant positive impact on Vietnam’s economy, particularly that of Ho Chi Minh City.

Discussions and exchanges at the event focused on fostering deeper collaboration between Vietnamese enterprises and regional counterparts, and expanding trade and investment ties, thus making active contributions to overall economic growth.

The conference was also seen as an opportunity to boost foreign investment in Vietnam, with Ho Chi Minh City positioned to benefit from favorable policies and mechanisms that enhance its appeal to strategic investors. Key areas of interest include the development of innovation hubs, R&D centers, international financial centers, and investments in advanced technologies such as IT, biotechnology, new materials, and clean energy.

Ho Chi Minh City authorities, business leaders in ASEAN, and leaders of UOB together recorded memorable moments at the Gateway to ASEAN Conference 2024.

Mr. Victor Ngo, CEO of UOB Vietnam, highlighted Vietnam's position as a gateway to the ASEAN region in his welcoming speech at the Conference.

Mr Wee Ee Cheong, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, UOB, in his opening remarks, highlighted UOB’s strengths in providing financial support to businesses to captalize on investment opportunities in the region. — Mr Wee Ee Cheong, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, UOB, in his opening remarks, highlighted UOB’s strengths in providing financial support to businesses to captalize on investment opportunities in the region.

Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai spoke at the Conference,  as guest of honor. — Mr Wee Ee Cheong, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, UOB, in his opening remarks, highlighted UOB’s strengths in providing financial support to businesses to captalize on investment opportunities in the region.

Mr. Wee Ee Cheong, Deputy Chairman and CEO, UOB, presented a token of appreciation to Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai.

At  the conference's opening panel discussion — At the conference's opening panel discussion

As the moderator, Mr. Heng Koon How, Head of Markets Strategy, Global Economics and Markets Research, UOB (left) suggested hot topics happening in the region; while two guest speakers, Dr William Fung, Group Deputy Chairman of Li & Fung (middle), and Mr. Goh Peng Ooi, Founder and Chairman of Silverlake Axis Group (right), shared their perspectives and experiences in doing business in the region.

Mr Wee Ee Cheong, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, UOB, and Mr Heng Koon How, Head of Market Strategy, Global Economics and Markets Research, UOB, pose for a photo with two guest speakers after the panel discussion.

After the main sessions (live broadcast on VnEconomy's official Facebook page), three thematic discussions took place simultaneously with the topics: "Growth in ASEAN through Vietnam", "Managing Supply Chains Showcase" and "Innovating with Sustainability".

The content of these discussions aimed at sharing perspectives from leading brands on how they set up supply chains, expand into Vietnam and develop sustainably to seize opportunities in ASEAN, where the world economy intersects.

Mr Frederick Chin, Head of Group Wholesale Banking and Markets, UOB (right), shared many perspectives on ASEAN’s advantages and recommended solutions that businesses can apply to diversify their investments and seize new growth opportunities in the region at the second panel discussion titled “ASEAN: The Epicenter of Growth for Trade”.

The speakers at the first panel discussion entitled “Growing in ASEAN through Vietnam” included Mr. Jimmy Koh, Head of Network Partnerships and Strategic Marketing, FDI Advisory, UOB, as moderator; Mr. Li Fan, Managing Director of Warburg Pincus; Mr. Gene King, Chief Investment Officer of BW Industrial Development JSC;  and Mr. Alexandar Ziehe, Managing Director of Southeast Asia & Oceania Viessmann (From left to right). — The speakers at the first panel discussion entitled “Growing in ASEAN through Vietnam” included Mr. Jimmy Koh, Head of Network Partnerships and Strategic Marketing, FDI Advisory, UOB, as moderator; Mr. Li Fan, Managing Director of Warburg Pincus; Mr. Gene King, Chief Investment Officer of BW Industrial Development JSC; and Mr. Alexandar Ziehe, Managing Director of Southeast Asia & Oceania Viessmann (From left to right).

Mr. Dipesh Patel, Regional Chief Financial Officer, Asia Pacific Intertek Group Plc shared his experience in Supply Chain Management at the 2nd panel discussion on “Managing Supply Chain Showcase”.

Also participating in the second panel discussion were Mr Venkatesh Somanathan, Executive Director, Group Transaction Banking, UOB (lelf) as moderator and Mr. Vincent Mourou, Co-Founder and Chairman, Marou - Faiseurs de Chocolate.

Speakers at the third panel discussion entitled “Innovating with Sustainability” included Mr Adrian Ow, Head of ESG Solutions, Sector Solutions Group, UOB (Moderator), along with Mr Harry Bui Khanh Nguyen, Vice President of Public Affairs, Communications, and Sustainability, Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam; Ms. Dang Huynh Uc My, Chairlady of Thanh Thanh Cong Bien Hoa Joint Stock Company; Mr. Bernardo Bautista, Managing Director of DHL Express Vietnam; and Mr Yoon Young Kim, Cluster President for Singapore and Brunei, Schneider Electric (From left to right).

In particular, although there were more than 600 guests who were leaders of ministries and departments in Vietnam, experts, leading businesses in the ASEAN region, China, Hong Kong (China)... attending, the check-in process was carried out quite easily and quickly by the organizers, thanks to the combination of technology and the scientific arrangement of many check-in cabinets.