Global Trade Dialogue 2020: Tech transforming trade and the economy in a post-COVID world
The Asia House Global Trade Dialogue returns on Monday 7 December 2020.
Leading AI pioneer Kai-Fu Lee will be in conversation with Asia House Chief Executive Michael Lawrence to explore how tech will transform business and drive the global economic recovery from COVID-19, as well as the role of China's tech sector in the world economy.
The Dialogue will also hear from GO-JEK founder Nadiem Makarim, Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, who will outline his government's efforts to build talent for the digital age. The Minister, who founded GO-JEK - Indonesia's first unicorn company - in 2010, will also share insights on Indonesia's start up ecosystem and how the country can sustain the exciting growth of the internet economy.
Southeast Asia's rapidly growing digital economy will also be the focus of Scott Beaumont, President of Google APAC, who will outline the acceleration of digital adoption in region due to the COVID crisis, and how ASEAN's internet economy is on track to grow to US$300 billion by 2025.
Bob Koopman, Chief Economist at the WTO, will discuss the performance of trade in the current global crisis, the resilience of global value chains, and how trade tensions could shape the post-pandemic recovery.
The latest developments in US-China relations, including the implications of a Biden Administration for global geopolitics and multilateralism, will be explored by Tu Xinquan, Dean and Professor of the China Institute for WTO Studies at the University of International Business and Economics; Noah Barkin, Senior Visiting Fellow, Asia Program, The German Marshall Fund of the United States; and Anne Ruth Herkes, former Secretary of State at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.
Monday 7 December 2020 via Zoom
09:00 UK time | 13:00 Dubai time | 17:00 Beijing time | 17:00 Singapore time
AGENDA
Opening remarks
Michael Lawrence, Chief Executive of Asia House and Dialogue Chair
The role of tech in driving global economic recovery from COVID-19
Kai-Fu Lee, Chairman and CEO of Sinovation Ventures, in conversation
Southeast Asia’s internet economy
Nadiem Makarim, Indonesian Minister of Education and Culture Scott Beaumont, President, Google Asia Pacific
Global trade order under the Biden Administration
Tu Xinquan, Dean and Professor of the China Institute for WTO Studies at the University of International Business and Economics Anne Ruth Herkes, former Secretary of State at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy Noah Barkin, Senior Visiting Fellow, Asia Program, The German Marshall Fund of the United States
Prospects for global trade
Bob Koopman, Chief Economist at the World Trade Organization, in conversation
Closing remarks
Lord Stephen Green, Chairman of Asia House Michael Lawrence, Chief Executive of Asia House
Overview
As 2020 draws to a close, Asia House will be exploring a range of recent developments that could change the trajectory of global trade and investment, following a year defined by COVID-19.
An already-present backlash against globalisation has been bolstered by the pandemic, but the crisis has also accelerated digital trends, with rapid tech innovation across the global economy redefining business models, sectors, and ways of life.
More recently, breakthroughs in the search for a COVID-19 vaccine have moved markets around the world, while a new administration in the White House could herald a shift in global geopolitics. In Asia, the world’s largest trade deal – the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) – was finally concluded, marking a milestone moment for Asian leadership in world trade, and for ASEAN in particular.
Asia House will be exploring these issues and the role of tech in global business during the 2020 Asia House Global Trade Dialogue, convened digitally on Monday 7 December.
Kai-Fu Lee in conversation
Kai-Fu Lee, Chairman and CEO of Sinovation Ventures and member of the Asia House Advisory Board, will be in conversation with Asia House Chief Executive Michael Lawrence to explore how tech will transform business and help drive the global economic recovery from COVID-19, as well as the role of China’s tech sector in the world economy.
Google APAC President Scott Beaumont on Southeast Asia's digital economy
Google APAC President Scott Beaumont will discuss the rapid growth of the digital economy in Southeast Asia, and the broader transformations taking place in global tech.
Founder of GO-JEK and Indonesia's Minister of Education and Culture on the internet economy
Nadiem Makarim, Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia and founder of GO-JEK, will also be joining to share his insights on building up talent for a workforce of the future and sustaining the growth of the internet economy in Indonesia and the rest of Southeast Asia.
WTO insights from Bob Koopman
The Dialogue will also hear the views of Bob Koopman, Chief Economist at the World Trade Organization, on the prospects for global growth into 2021 and beyond.
US-China trade and tech relations
The latest developments in US-China relations, including the implications of a Biden Administration for global geopolitics and multilateralism, will be explored by Tu Xinquan, Dean and Professor of the China Institute for WTO Studies at the University of International Business and Economics; Noah Barkin, Senior Visiting Fellow, Asia Program, The German Marshall Fund of the United States; and Anne Ruth Herkes, former Secretary of State at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.