14 March 2013 | ||||
8:00 am - 9:00 am | Breakfast and Registration | |||
9:00 am - 9:10 am | Welcome Remarks from FT and Standard Chartered
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9:10 am - 9:30 am | Opening Keynote Address
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9:30 am - 10:15 am | Keynote Interview: Banking in a Changing World
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10:15 am - 10:20 am | FT Global View: The State of Play
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10:20 am - 10:40 am | Keynote Address: Global Economic and Financial Outlook A leading international economist sets the scene for the conversations to follow with insights on the global economy and financial system, and the implications for Taiwan’s economic development. Thomas Sargent, Professor of Economics and Business, New York University, and 2011 Nobel Laureate | |||
10:40 am - 11:30 am | Panel Discussion: The Malaise in Western Economies, the Growing Dominance of Asia, the Outlook for Taiwan and the Role of China Economists discuss the economic slowdown in the West, the relatively rapid growth of most economies in Asia, and the outlook for Taiwan in this new financial and commercial landscape. How important will China’s role be in boosting Taiwan’s growth? Given the growing strength of competing developed economies such as Korea, to what extent should free-trade accords become an intrinsic part of Taiwan’s revitalisation?
(Speaker names are given alphabetically) | |||
11:30 am - 11:50 am | Networking Break | |||
11:50 am - 1:05 pm | Panel Discussion: Taiwan’s Business Environment – Conducive to Innovation and Growth? Senior policy-makers and executives from multinational and Taiwan-based companies discuss the business environment in Taiwan and the changes that could be implemented to boost innovation and help the island become more competitive. Can Taiwan diversify beyond its current core industries? Does it have the necessary expertise, infrastructure and regulatory framework? What are the implications of these potential changes for foreign businesses and investors seeking to expand in Taiwan or work more closely with Taiwanese strategic partners?
(Speaker names are given alphabetically) | |||
1:05 pm - 2:30 pm | Networking Lunch | |||
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm | Case Studies and Panel Discussion: Taiwan’s Future Brands – Shifting to a New Mindset Taiwan’s long-held competitive advantage as a leading global manufacturer of components and equipment for international brands has been eroded by China’s rapid economic growth, relatively low labour costs and attractiveness as a destination for global capital. In response to this new environment, which has also coincided with a change in the structure of global supply chains, with companies substantially diversifying supplies and inventory strategies to withstand disruption, Taiwan’s industries have been evolving away from the OEM business model to one built around own-brand creation. This change involves a major shift in mindset and enterprise culture from bulk production to a focus on value added, innovation and product differentiation. How are Taiwan’s major companies coping with this shift? What are the big success stories and where are the key challenges? Is Taiwan’s manufacturing base sufficiently diversified? Where are Taiwan’s main customers and how are its brands differentiating themselves?
(Speaker names are given alphabetically) | |||
3:30 pm - 3:50 pm | Networking Break | |||
3:50 pm - 5:05 pm | Panel Discussion: Financial Market Innovation – Taiwan as the next offshore Renminbi Centre and the impact on Taiwan’s businesses Cross-straits financial markets have been coming closer since the signing of the 2008 Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement. Towards the end of 2012, Taiwan approved an important financial strategy that calls for a cross-straits modern financial transaction mechanism, and permission for Taiwan’s listed companies to issue renminbi-based bonds to raise capital, among other policies. The aim is to create new business opportunities for Taiwan’s financial sector in mainland China’s market. But will the plan also help Taiwan to become a vibrant renminbi centre? Currently only a tiny amount of the US$120 billion in trade between China and Taiwan is settled in renminbi. Will the growing international power of the renminbi and Taiwan’s innovation-driven policies help Taiwan to develop into another renminbi hub? What does this mean for Taiwan businesses?
(Speaker names are given alphabetically) | |||
5:05 pm - 5:25 pm | Closing Keynote Address
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5:25 pm - 5:30 pm | Chair’s Closing Remarks
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5:30 pm | Cocktail Reception |