Over the past few years, the global economy has suffered profound shocks that have had a marked impact on small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs, particularly the Covid-19 pandemic. While SMEs have slowly recovered from the impact of the pandemic, new threats have emerged. Rising geopolitical tensions and global financial risks, high inflation, tightening monetary and fiscal policies, labour shortages, high trade barriers and slowing integration into global value chains all contribute to a more challenging business environment for SMEs. Meanwhile, there is an urgent need to accelerate the contribution of SMEs and entrepreneurship to the green and digital transitions and help them navigate a changing international trade and investment landscape.
Against this background, there has been a greater move towards cooperation between the government sector and the private sector in the development of SMEs, and to set in place policies to help them address the changing business conditions and integrate into global and supply-chain networks and benefit from the transformations they are currently going through.
Suggested Theme: Sustainable Innovation for an Inclusive Future
Agriculture remains the backbone of livelihoods across South Asia but faces urgent challenges such as climate change, land degradation, rising input costs, and deepening inequality. Sustainable innovation is essential. This session will convene leaders from policy, academia, civil society, and industry to explore transformative models that integrate technology, traditional knowledge, and inclusivity—focusing on climate-smart practices, regenerative farming, digital tools, and localized agri-financing.
Empowering smallholder farmers, women, and youth will be central to ensuring an equitable transition. Asia’s role in global food security demands investment in research, sustainable practices, and equitable food access. Let us reimagine agriculture as a catalyst for inclusive growth, ecological balance, and lasting food security.
Suggested Theme: Regional Cooperation in Digital Innovation and Start-ups
With the growing interest on Innovation and Start-ups in commerce and industry in the region and worldwide not only among businessmen and the chambers but also among government policymakers, this session will feature panelists from CACCI member countries (Australia, India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Taiwan as well as representatives from the Young Entrepreneur Groups in other countries such as Japan, Vietnam, and Malaysia) to share the direction and highlights of the Digital Innovation and Startups Programs in their respective countries, and explore areas for possible cross-border cooperation.
Suggested Theme: Tourism as a Catalyst for Economic Growth in the Asia Pacific Region
Tourism is a significant catalyst for economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region, contributing to GDP, employment, and infrastructure development. It is a major source of foreign exchange and can help diversify national economies, especially in developing countries. The industry's multiplier effect across various sectors, like agriculture and manufacturing, further boosts local economies. In addition, tourism brings not only economic benefits but also fosters cultural exchange among nations.
This session will discuss not only the significant economic benefits and opportunities offered by the tourism industry, but also the challenges it presents, such as potential environmental impact, social consequences, and vulnerability to external shocks. It will examine how sustainable tourism practices and diversification of the economy are crucial for long-term economic growth in the region.
Suggested Theme: Renewable Energy and Environmental Resilience: Safeguarding South Asia’s Future
South Asia stands at a critical juncture in its energy and environmental trajectory. With a population exceeding 2 billion and energy demand reaching its highest levels, the region faces an urgent need to expand its energy capacity, rapidly and sustainably. Per capita energy and water consumption remain low, yet demand is accelerating, driven by economic growth and population pressures. Unlike other regions, South Asia is constrained by a scarcity of fossil fuel and hydrocarbon resources, relying primarily on limited hydro and solar potential.
In stark contrast to China’s installed energy capacity, India and the broader South Asian region lag significantly behind, with India having approximately similar population numbers as China. As energy consumption in South Asia exceeds supply, there is a real risk of reversing the region’s current environmental advantage largely sustained through low consumption and modest renewable energy use. Without a strategic shift to renewables and robust environmental planning, the region may face severe consequences: rising global temperatures, accelerated Himalayan glacier melt (the ‘Third Pole’), and subsequent threats to water security, agriculture, and regional ecosystems through floods and climate disruption.
This session will explore how South Asia can meet its rising energy needs while avoiding irreversible environmental degradation. Speakers will examine policy frameworks, regional cooperation, renewable technology investments, and the socio-economic imperatives of transitioning to a resilient, low-carbon energy future.
Theme: ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE ASIAN CENTURY
The rising trend of new business ventures and innovative ideas flourishing within the rapidly growing economies of Asia are expected to play dominant role in the global economy throughout the 21st century, often called "the Asian Century." Indeed, The Asian Century is projected to be fueled by entrepreneurial activity, driving innovation, job creation, and economic development across the region.
The Conference will, among others, examine: (a) how Asian entrepreneurs are increasingly focused on technology-based ventures, leveraging their large consumer markets; (b) how a number of Asian countries are emerging as major hubs for entrepreneurship due to their large populations, growing middle class, and favorable government policies; and (c) how Asian companies are increasingly becoming global players, competing with established Western firms and expanding their reach internationally; and how challenges like regulatory hurdles, intellectual property protection, and access to capital still need to be addressed.
Opening Remarks:
Guest of Honor/Keynote Speaker
The global market environment is rapidly transforming influenced by technological advancements, trade liberalization, geopolitical shifts and evolving consumer behaviors. Many Asian economies are now facing greater uncertainties in their macroeconomic environment because of tariff imposed by the US on certain economies. These changes have profound implications for important businesses, governments, and individuals.
Understanding these trends is crucial globally in general and for Asia Pacific in particular because these challenges create new opportunities to kegep pace for the growing economies in different parts of the world. This session will feature speakers who will share their perspectives on the importance of adapting strategies for Asia Pacific and policies, including those covering trade with US and other western countries, that can navigate uncertainties and harness new possibilities.
Innovation and technological advancements are recognized as key drivers in transforming businesses and their sustainability. As the digital economy continues its exponential growth, emerging innovations in areas like cloud computing, data analytics, AI, and edge devices are fundamentally transforming how businesses operate and deliver value.
This session will invite speakers who will examine how businesses can leverage these emerging technologies to fundamentally change how their respective organizations operate, improving efficiency, creating new products and services, enhancing customer experiences, and ultimately gaining a competitive edge in the market by adapting to evolving customer needs and industry trends.
In the post-pandemic world, geopolitical conflicts, inflation, and logistical challenges have made supply chain disruptions common. A 2023 McKinsey survey revealed that nearly all businesses, regardless of industry or location, have grappled with supply chain issues in the past year. Almost half said that supply chain disruptions caused major planning challenges.
To ensure supply chain resilience, companies should implement strategies to adapt to changing conditions, effectively mitigating risks and maintaining smooth product flow even during unexpected events. This session will explore how a resilient supply chain can help businesses endure disruptions and recover quickly, minimizing the impact of most disturbances on their production and delivery, and how they can build a resilient supply chain that meets customer expectations and propels your business forward in the face of disruption.
Achieving inclusive and resilient growth for a sustainable future means
fostering economic development that benefits all members of society while also building systems capable of withstanding shocks and adapting to change, all while protecting the environment and ensuring long-term prosperity for future generations; essentially, creating growth that is equitable, adaptable, and environmentally conscious.
This session will invite speakers who will share their views on key elements of inclusive and resilient growth, namely: (a) inclusivity, to ensure all segments of society, including marginalized groups, have access to economic opportunities and benefits from growth; (b) resilience, by building systems that can withstand disruptions and help diversify economies to reduce reliance on single industries or resources; and (c) sustainability, by utilizing natural resources responsibly and minimizing environmental impact.
Mr. Keerthi Gunawardane
President, FCCISL
Mr. Peter McMullin AM