Long Yongtu, secretary-general of the Boao Forum for Asia (
BFA),
announced at a press conference yesterday that the BFA Annual
Conference 2006 will be convened on Aril 22
-23 in Boao, a
scenic town in south China's
Hainan Province.
In line with the BFA's mission statement -- 'Asia Searching for
Win-Win' -- the main theme at this year's conference is, "New
opportunities for Asia: driving growth to new levels."
Topics with titles such as 'New visions and models for economic
cooperation,' 'Building world class capital markets in Asia' and
'Innovation and sustainable success' will be highlighted at the
conference.
In addition to a range of general topics conference delegates
will hold in-depth discussions on business sectors that are causing
particular concern or are of strong interest to delegates.
According to Long these may include the IT/Internet sectors, the
automotive industry and real estate.?
"This is only the fifth year of the BFA, but despite a short
history, it has established itself with government and business
leaders -- not just in Asia but around the world -- as a leading
international forum on economic issues," said Long.
"The BFA serves as an important platform for Asian as well as
world government and business leaders to meet, discuss issues of
common concern and agree on mutually beneficial and workable
forward strategies for the future of the Asian and global
economies."
Those attending the conference are past and present state
leaders including Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ratnasiri
Wickremanayaka, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Trade Minister
Mark Vaile, former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos, former
Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke, former Kazakh Prime Minister
Sergy Terechenko and former Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Tansri
Dato' Musa bin Hitam. Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special
Administration Region Donald Tsang and Chief Executive of Macao
Special Administration Region Edmund Ho Hau Wah will also be in
attendance.
A number of global business leaders have also confirmed they
will attend the conference. These include CEO of A.P. Moller-Maersk
Jess S?derberg, Chairman of Merrill Lynch International Inc. Kevan
Watts, and Managing Director and CEO of Woodside Enenrgy Ltd Don
Voelte.
Also on the 'confirmed' list to attend are world-renowned
financial experts including the chief economist of Morgan Stanley,
Stephen Roach and the governor of the Bank of Israel and former
chief economist of both the World Bank and Citigroup, Stanley
Fischer.
At yesterday's press conference, Long signed agreements with the
event's major sponsors including A.P. Moller-Maersk, Microsoft,
Merrill Lynch, Woodside Energy, Dongfeng Nissan Passenger Vehicle
Company and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.
"The corporate support of our sponsors is of the highest
quality," said Long. "We appreciate such support because as well
being financially important it's also important in terms of
branding. The strength of the 'Boao Forum for Asia' brand is
greatly assisted by the recognition value of our sponsors and the
high quality of those participating in the event," he added.
Tom Behrens-Sorensen, chief executive of A.P. Moller-Maersk
Group Greater China Area, said at the press conference: "What makes
the Boao Forum unique is that it brings together senior business
representatives from throughout Asia and other parts of the world.
?
"The Forum allows for collaboration and helpful dialogue on a
range of issues and A.P. Moller-Maersk is proud to play a part in
this," he added.
“The Boao Forum provides an ideal platform for building-up
levels of cooperation between countries and can greatly assist the
further growth of the Asian economy," said Timothy Chen, corporate
vice president and CEO of the Greater China Region, Microsoft
Corp.
"It is our wish, through attending the forum, to become more
involved in assisting with the promotion of Asia's economic
progress and being recognized as being a capable and trusted
partner throughout Asia," he said.
BFA also announced yesterday that the World Pharmaceutical
Conference will be held on April 26-27 at Taizhou City, eastern
Jiangsu Province.?
(China.org.cn by staff reporter Yuan Fang, February 23,
2006)
