Asian Economy and the World Economic Outlook
Date: 19 September 2024
Time: GMT+2 (Zurich Time): 12:45 to 14:15 | UTC 10:30 – 12:15
Platform: Zoom Online
Topic: Asian Economies to World Economic Outlook
Co-organiser: Singularity Academy, Switzerland
Background
The Swiss-Asian Chamber of Commerce and Singularity Academy are delighted to host an online workshop titled "Asian Economy and the World Economic Outlook" on September 19, 2024. This Swiss-Asian online event will feature distinguished economists from China, India, Singapore, and Switzerland, who will provide valuable insights into the current economic trends in Asia and their impact on the global economy. The workshop aims to explore the dynamic economic developments in these key Asian markets, their challenges and opportunities, and their implications for the world economic outlook. Participants can engage in thought-provoking discussions, share ideas, and network with experts and industry peers, fostering a deeper understanding of Asia’s evolving role in the global economy.
Opening and Moderated:
Dr. Urs Lustenbrger, President of the Swiss-Asian Chamber of Commerce
Mr. Mads Pedersen, Swiss Economist, Human Edge Investment Technology (Former Head of Global Asset Allocation at UBS)
Topic: Introduction, Overview, and Outlook from a Global Perspective
Prof. Dr. Min Ouyang, Chinese Economist, Associate Professor, Tsinghua University, China
Topic: The Chinese Economy – Challenges and Future Prospects
Prof. Dr. Anant Kamath, Indian Economist, Assistant Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) Bangalore, India
Topic: India: Box of Opportunities or Pandora’s Box
Mr. Seah Kiat Seng, ASEAN Economist, Managing Director, CIO, Millennia Investment Management, Singapore.
Topic: The ASEAN Economy – Challenges and Future Prospects
Wrap-Up and Closing: Dr Urs Lustenberger
About the Speakers
Mr. Mads Pedersen
Swiss Economist
Mr. Mads Pedersen specialitied in Asset Management, Portfolio Construction, Global Economics &Politics. He is a Co-Author of "Allocating For Impact", G8 Social Impact Investment Task Force Working Paper, 2014. Co-Author of "What's in the News? Using News Sentiment Momentum for Tactical Asset Allocation", Journal of Portfolio Management, 2015.
Prof. Dr. Ouyang Min
Chinese Economist
As a professor on economics at School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University, Ouyang's research crosses the boundaries of macroeconomics, microeconomics, and econometrics. She conducts both theoretical and empirical research. Her sole-authored paper has been published in the Journal of Monetary Economics, the Review of Economics and Statistics, and Macroeconomic Dynamics. Her ongoing research projects include studying the influence of the property-tax experiment in Shanghai and Chongqing on China housing prices and exploring the impact of the 2008 China Fiscal Stimulus Plan on the macroeconomic performance of China.
Prof. Anant Kamath
Prof. Anant Kamath is an Assistant Professor at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bangalore; his primary interests are in STS, particularly around subaltern socio-economic groups. Prior to NIAS, he was faculty at Azim Premji University for six years and has published three books and more than a dozen peer-reviewed journal articles.
Mr. Seah Kiat Seng
ASEAN Economist
Mr. Seng is a managing director and CIO from Millennia Investment Management, Singapore. He has 30+ years of experience in Asian equities and real estate fund management. He has helped build Morgan Stanley’s Asian equities assets from US$400 million to US$4 billion and founded and headed Morgan Stanley’s Asia Real Estate Securities Investment Group. Mr. Seng has been a founding principal of Forum Partners’ Asian Real Estate private equity funds, with investment experience in Asian markets, including Greater China, Korea, ASEAN, India, Japan and Australia. Mr. Seng holds an MBA with Honors from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor's in Property Administration from the University of Auckland- valedictorian.
Dr. Urs Lustenberger
President of Swiss-Asian Chamber of Commerce
Dr. iur. Urs Lustenberger: an attorney in Switzerland, specialising in international litigation and arbitration, and a fellow of law and Asian economy & business at Singularity Academy. He has a doctoral degree in law from the University of Zurich (1993) and expertise in a more extensive range of economics, law, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Dr iur. Lustenberger has been acting as the honorary consul of the Philippines in Switzerland and president of the Swiss-Asian Chamber of Commerce. He also co-founded Verus Salus Group (healthcare) and is the founding Partner of Lustenberger+Partners Law Firm in Zurich, Switzerland.
Speakers
Mads Pedersen
Swiss Economist
Min Ouyang
Chinese Economist
Anant Kamath
Indian Economist
Seah Kiat Seng
ASEAN Economist
Key Learning
China’s Resilience and Innovation-Driven Growth
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China’s challenges, particularly deflation and debt, are significant but manageable. The country’s leadership in sectors such as electric vehicles, AI, and green technology provides a strong foundation for future growth. China’s transition from an industrial-based economy to an innovation-driven one is well underway, and the government has the tools to address short-term concerns while focusing on long-term gains.
ASEAN’s Strategic Role
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ASEAN’s young population, growing infrastructure, and strategic importance in global trade make it a region of immense potential. The bloc’s intrareg -regional trade and economic integration and its strategic position in global supply chains offer significant opportunities for investors and businesses. ASEAN’s favorable demographics, particularly its young workforce, ensure that it will continue to be a growth engine in the years ahead.
India’s Domestic Growth and Global Ambitions
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India’s growth trajectory is largely driven by its domestic market, particularly in areas such as digital finance, infrastructure development, and a rapidly growing middle class. However, to become a global economic powerhouse, India must address its structural challenges, including inequality, education, and rural poverty. Policymakers need to focus on inclusive growth strategies to ensure that the benefits of economic expansion are more widely shared.
Japan’s Resilience and Strategic Shifts
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Japan continues attracting foreign investment due to the weak yen, which has boosted interest in real estate and logistics sectors. However, Japan faces challenges in maintaining its competitiveness in the global automotive market, particularly in the electric vehicle space. The country’s focus on hydrogen technology offers a potential advantage, but it must navigate the global shift toward electrification to remain a key player.
Investment Risks and Opportunities Across Asia
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While Asia presents immense opportunities, it also comes with risks. Investors must carefully consider the volatility of markets like China, where short-term challenges are significant but may also offer long-term rewards. Taiwan, India, and Korea, on the other hand, offer more stable investment opportunities, particularly in technology and consumer-driven sectors. U.S. Federal Reserve policies will continue to influence capital flows into Asia, making it critical for investors to stay attuned to global economic trends.
