"Repositioning Asia to Take the Global Lead "

Saturday, November 8, 2008

9.00am - 5.30pm

Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue
Broad and Walnut Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19102

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Panels

Venture Capital - Fueling Growth: Contrasting Investment Strategies Across Asia

US Venture Capital firms are expanding their businesses in Asian countries, seeking investment opportunities as well as business development opportunities for their US portfolio companies. In fact, many venture capitalists are seeking different ways to diversify their investment strategies and they are taking the advantage of countries like China, Korea, Taiwan and Japan where there are increasing number of companies having interesting business models and technology which potentially can be expanded to global market . From high-tech to green energy, venture capitalists are exploring different fields and one may ask, "Is Asia the new breeding ground for a fresh boom of venture capital growth?" Join us in exploring the opportunities and potentials of Venture Capital in Asia.

Speakers: Doug Alexander, Brain Kang, Toshi Otani, Dave Takeuchi

Consulting for Change - Managing Uncertainty Through Global Turbulence

As Asia continues its rapid growth, companies increasingly rely on management consulting firms to guide them through volatile and uncertain business environments. Although fundamentals for the region remain strong, the recent US slowdown has made navigating the business landscape much more complex. What are the key uncertainties for business leaders in Asia today, and how do top consultants deal with this ever-changing environment? This panel aims to explore how leading consulting firms in Asia drive change and impact for their clients in these uncertain times.

Private Equity - How to Deal with Challenge of Making Investment Across Asia

With relatively strong economic growth across the region, development of more mature capital markets, and a growing acceptance of private equity as an asset class, investing in Asia has become extremely attractive and profitable for many firms in the private equity industry in recent years.  With the recent subprime crisis in the US, more and more financial sponsors are seeking to ramp up their activity in Asia.  As these firms enter into the Asian private equity market, there are challenges to overcome.  PE firms are learning to adjust to different levels of transparency standards of Asian firms, minority investment strategy, role of government and regulation, and exit through developing capital market.  This panel aims to look at the trends, challenges and strategies private equity firms will need to take on in order to succeed in the Asian market.

Speakers: Mark Johnson, Hussein Khalifa , Gordon Shaw

Real Estate - Boom or Bubble - An Asian Puzzle

When the U.S. experienced severe economic recession arising from its subprime crisis, Asia's real estate market seemed to be less affected. For years, many Asian countries have experienced significant property market boom with many international investors and developers looking into Asia to find attractive returns. However, many investors doubt whether Asia's property market is sustainable given a slowing global economy. Will the current property crisis in U.S. and previous property bubble in other Asian countries be repeated again in Asia? This panel aims to explore where the risks of the property market are and how to prevent severe property market crisis in Asia.

Speakers: Edward M. Casal, Donald L. ("Skip") Conover, Pietro A. Doran

Investment Management - The Dynamics in Asia : The Potential of Investment Market

What is the influence of the subprime crisis on the Asian investment market and what it signals for  the future of Asia? Where is the power of economy and politics heading to in the Asian region? Can we explain and foresee the tide of power from an investment perspective?

Today, Asian nations are apparently heading towards an aging society. As a result, a substitutional solution for conventional social welfare system will be required in Asian society in the near future. The citizens in Asian countries can no longer only rely on the government. Like in US, the mutual fund industry is also expected to play a key role in Asia. Then, how is the transformation of the investment market going to be achieved? Given these matters of deep interest, the panel will aim to dissect the potential of investment market in the Asian region given the economic growth in Asia as well as the stagnant market of Japan.

Speakers: Andrew Sassine, Atsuto Sawakami

Investment Banking - Turbo-Charged for Growth: Investment Opportunities as Asia Enters the Global Frontier

M&A in Asia has turned a corner in recent years by becoming a key component of corporate strategy in the region as industry consolidations and cross-border deals increase at a fast pace. The booming Asian economies have developed companies with global aspirations, driving regional M&A activity to an unprecedented level. To emerge as a winner, top business leaders need to tackle increasingly complicated issues from changing regulatory policies to integrating cultural differences. This panel aims to explore where M&A opportunities lie, assess the impact of the sub-prime crisis on the deal landscape, and identify major challenges facing corporate decision makers in Asia.

Speakers: Nobuhiko Masuto, Mark Renton, Pakpoom Vallisuta

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