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Projected to be the world's fourth-largest economy by 2030, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has become one of the fastest growing economies in the Asia Pacific. As the ASEAN 2018 chair, Singapore has identified Resilience and Innovation as its key themes, with a strong focus on the digital economy. In addition to the recent national elections in Malaysia, the region also faces upcoming elections in Thailand, Cambodia, and Indonesia. What are some of the opportunities, challenges, and trends we are seeing for Southeast Asia?


Join us for a breakfast briefing followed by a Q&A with Amb. Michael Michalak, Senior Vice President & Regional Managing Director at the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council based in Singapore, and former U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam (2007-2011). Amb. Michalak will be providing an update on Singapore's ASEAN 2018 Chairmanship as well as on the region as a whole.


The U.S.-ASEAN Business Council is a premier advocacy organization for U.S. corporations operating within ASEAN, serving as the leading voice of the U.S. private sector in promoting mutually beneficial trade and investment relationships between the United States and Southeast Asia for over 35 years. Their members include the largest U.S. companies working in ASEAN, and range from newcomers to the region to companies that have been working in Southeast Asia for a century or more.


First 15-20 minutes is for networking

Light breakfast included


Hosted by the Financial Services Committee​

Speaker

  • Amb. Michael W. Michalak (Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director of U.S.-ASEAN Business Council, Inc.)

    Amb. Michael W. Michalak

    Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director of U.S.-ASEAN Business Council, Inc.

    Amb. Michael W. Michalak joined the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council in September 2015 as Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director. He oversees the Council's six offices in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) from the Council's regional headquarters in Singapore, and leads the Council's regional advocacy efforts and engages regularly with key ASEAN policymakers and thought leaders to offer his unique perspective on the key role U.S. businesses can play in ASEAN. He also manages, coaches and develops the Council's most critical resource: its staff.

    Amb. Michalak most recently worked as an independent business consultant focused on Asia and particularly Vietnam. He also served as Senior Advisor to the private sector host committee of the U.S. APEC Year (2011). His diplomatic career with the U.S. State Department spanned more 30 years and included postings to Tokyo, Japan; Sydney, Australia; Islamabad, Pakistan; Beijing, China; as well as Washington, D.C. He served as U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam from August 2007 to February 2011. Prior to his position in Vietnam, Amb. Michalak was Ambassador and Senior U.S. Official to APEC. He also served as Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. In addition, he received a group award for valor for his actions in time of crisis when the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad was burned down. Amb. Michalak began his career as a research physicist at NASA.

    He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan and a Master of Science degree in Applied Physics from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He received a second Master's degree in Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He speaks Japanese and Chinese.

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Tickets

Member
Member Price HKD 180
Non-member
Standard Price HKD 320

Cancellation Policy

•    All cancellations must be notified in writing at least two working days prior to the event, or six working days prior to the conference. No-shows will be charged
•    When Typhoon 8 (or above) or Black Rainstorm Signal is hoisted, all events will be cancelled