Trump 2.0 and Asia Pacific, the story so far
Karishma Vaswani, Asia Opinion Columnist, Bloomberg
Nydia Ngiow, Managing Director, Bower Group Asia
“If you don’t make your product in America … you will pay a tariff and, in some cases, a rather large one,” US President Donald Trump told Congress back in March. “Other countries have used tariffs against us for decades, and now it’s our turn to start using them against those other countries.” Since President Trump took office in January, we've seen aggressive tariffs, bellicose rhetoric towards countries he sees as enemies, and an aggressive approach even to nations that would have counted themselves among the US’ friends. To help us understand what the Asia Pacific region faces, we’re fortunate to the joined by two leading observers: Bloomberg journalist, analyst and commentator Karishma Vaswani, and Bower Group Asia Managing Director Nydia Ngiow. Karishma - who was previously the BBC’s lead Asia presenter (having also been BBC Asia Business Correspondent, Jakarta Correspondent and BBC World Service Indonesia Editor) - now leads Bloomberg’s opinion writing for the region, with a special focus on China. Karishma’s recent op-eds have included extensive coverage and insights into China-US relations. Karishma grew up in Jakarta and has worked in India and Indonesia, and is currently based in Singapore. Nydia leads Bower Group’s Singapore office and has extensive experience as a corporate advisor. Prior to entering the private sector, Nydia was a diplomat, as First Secretary (Economics) at the Singapore Embassy in Washington DC, and in senior roles at the Ministry of Trade & Industry.
Are you AI ready?
Echo Jin, Chief Financial Officer - Asia, Microsoft
Over the past two years, AI has developed rapidly from being an emerging technology to a proven solution. But not all organisations are confident they’re ready to deploy it. While virtually all Finance functions are keen to implement AI, they face a number of challenges, including lack of system readiness, confusion with internal processes, and slow decision-making. At the same time, Finance leaders know that many AI tools are easy to deploy, and quick to adopt. Microsoft Asia CFO and Global CFO Network member Echo Jin has agreed to share her own Finance function’s AI journey, and some of its learnings, including the importance of a growth mindset, a culture of continuous learning, and a willingness to allow the team to take risks and iterate.
The science of brand - how data can drive your brand’s success in Asia
Chin Tubianosa, Research Director, Bright Research Consulting
Tanya Chaturvedi, Chief Financial Officer Southeast Asia, Diageo
David Mann, Chief Economist Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, Mastercard
Most CFOs believe Marketing can have a positive impact on profitability, but studies show less than 40% believe their own Marketing Director is working effectively. How do we break the Finance-Marketing stalemate and add true value to the process of reaching and retaining customers? And what are the nuances multinationals should bear in mind when operating in Asia? Helping us answer those questions are Chin Tubianosa, head of consumer insights for one of the region’s biggest F&B operators, Jollibee Foods Corporation, and Diageo Southeast Asia CFO Tanya Chaturvedi. Leveraging their extensive commercial experience, we’ll explore how your brands can crack the complexity of Asia through good marketing decisions driven by effective use of consumer data. In addition to the eponymous quick-service chain Jollibee, JFC is home to 19 brands, including household names such as The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Tim Ho Wan, Tiong Bahru Bakery, Highlands Coffee, Chow King and Common Man Coffee Roasters. It also operates Burger King and Panda Express in the Philippines, and the US brand Smash Burger. Tanya - who prior to Diageo held senior roles with Procter & Gamble - leads the Southeast Asia Finance operations for a alcoholic beverage powerhouse whose brands include Johnnie Walker, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness. David leads Mastercard’s development and delivery of economic, financial, policy and market thought leadership. He joined Mastercard from Standard Chartered, having been the bank’s Global Chief Economist.
Members may attend with a member of their Finance team. Light refreshments will be served, and the event will conclude with a networking luncheon at Basilico Restaurant.