We are delighted to announce the appointment of Allen Lim to the Board of Directors of Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC) effective on August 1, 2025. Most recently, he was the Global CFO & Board Member with Plaza Premium Group (PPG) with global presence in 35+ countries in 70+ cities where he extended leadership to its global strategic growth and expansion, strengthen its business model and value propositions, transformed its global back-office, successfully navigated the group through the global covid…
The Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC) is pleased to welcome Sam Chau as our new Deputy Executive Director. Sam brings a strong commitment to fostering cross-border collaboration and developing solutions for shared challenges, including geopolitical shifts, technological change, and intergenerational equity. In his role, Sam will support PBEC’s mission through Organizational Management, Stakeholder Engagement, and Strategic Research. His experience in creating operational frameworks that combine policy insight, technological awareness, and ethical considerations aligns well with PBEC’s focus on advancing prosperity…
We are delighted to announce that Ir Dr Anne Kerr OBE has been appointed to the board of directors of the Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC), Anne brings to PBEC her tremendous experience, where she has recently held various roles and positions within Mott MacDonald, including Managing Director of Greater China and Asia Director for Growth, and currently is their appointed Asia Executive Adviser. She has over 35 years of professional experience gained through working across over 30 countries. Her…
Written by: PBEC’s Chau Ching Tang (Sam) In the rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape of the Arctic, Greenland emerges as a pivotal player, not merely due to its vast reserves of natural resources but also because of its strategic maritime location. As climate change accelerates Arctic ice melt, Greenland finds itself at the center of a complex web of international interests, encompassing economic ambitions, strategic military considerations, and environmental conservation efforts. This analysis seeks to unpack the multifaceted role Greenland plays…
Sam is deeply passionate about understanding the world and creating meaningful change. His academic journey reflects this commitment, with qualifications in Legal Studies, Mass Communication, and Policy Analysis, alongside studies in classic literature and Sinology. These diverse experiences have given him a multidisciplinary perspective and a strong foundation for addressing complex global challenges. Currently, he is preparing to pursue a PhD, where his focus will be on geopolitics and its connection to sustainable development and peacebuilding. This next step will…
Theme: Financial Inclusion & Digitalisation When: Mon 24th Mar Feb 2025 1600-1730L (HKG/PEK/SIN/KUL) Local Time Where: Hybrid Event – KPMG, 8/F Princes Building, Central, HK Bauhinia Meeting Room All attendees are asked to kindly register here whether planning to attend online or in person: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/LNPKFEk0TQqfcePR62rxDw Please email michael.walsh@pbec.org or whatsapp +8532 6014 9899 if you plan to attend physically. Available seats will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.
Theme: Building a Sustainable Tomorrow When: Tue 11th Feb 2025 1600-1730L (HKG/PEK/SIN/KUL) Local Time Where: Hybrid Event – KPMG, 8/F Princes Building, Central, HK Bauhinia Meeting Room All attendees are asked to kindly register here whether planning to attend online or in person: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/2myrpM7mTGqp2Kp8njJuaw Please email michael.walsh@pbec.org or whatsapp +8532 6014 9899 if you plan to attend physically. Available seats will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.
Authors: Mega Valentina, Angelica Ortega, Logan Carnicelli Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) Agreement Establishes Key Investment Gateway for Southeast Asia On January 7, the governments of Malaysia and Singapore announced the signing of a bilateral agreement to establish a special economic zone (SEZ) in the southern Malaysian state of Johor. Plans on the Johor-Singapore SEZ were first unveiled in 2023 at the 10th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat and are expected to begin roll out in 2025. Through the JS-SEZ, Malaysia and Singapore will promote and…
PBEC Opinion Piece South Korea 2025Executive Summary This PBEC opinion piece on South Korea’s economic forecast for 2025 highlights the challenges posed by political instability, which may dampen growth prospects unless stability is restored. Key sectors such as manufacturing, infrastructure, technology, and renewable energy present significant opportunities for Korean businesses, particularly in international markets like China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand. The investment climate is influenced by the need for reform and stability to attract both domestic and foreign…
In 2024, APEC embarked on a journey to Peru under the theme of “Empower, Include, Grow”. Under this theme, we shared ideas on inclusive and interconnected growth, digitalization and innovation to promote formal and global economy, and sustainable growth for resilient development. These discussions culminated in the Leaders’ declaration in Lima in late November 2024. Now, the roadshow moves across the Pacific to Korea. Korea is holding APEC for the first time in 20 years. Last time was when the APEC Economic…