Description: What exactly does globalization mean in today's Asia? What are the challenges faced by foreign companies in Asia who have already won over their domestic market hands down? Will these countries survive in this increasingly competitive environment? Multinational Corporations have played significant roles in the world economy for decades, and will probably exert more influence in the 21st century. Speakers from both Asian and Western operations of renowned multinational corporations will share their stories of successful and sometimes not-so-successful business ventures, their strategies in adapting to the Asian economic, social and political framework and, lastly, the benefits provided by this fast-spreading phenomenon we call globalization.

Description: Is corporate restructuring in East Asia over? Following the Asian Crisis in 1997, many Asian companies have since undergone corporate restructuring as part of the economic reform programs under way in many countries. This panel will explore the role of corporate governance, exchange ideas about the progress of the restructuring efforts, and explore the future challenges involved throughout the Asia region.

Description: What are the recent developments in venture capital and private equity? What are the impacts of the recent market correction on venture financing in Asia? What are good financing strategies and payment structures? How do you manage relationships with, and maintain influence over, investors during daily operations? Topics of the VC/PE panel this year will be re-examining new economy opportunities in Asia from an investor’s perspective and finding sensible strategies.

Description: The growth of the Internet is fueling competition between domestic and international cable, telephone, satellite and wireless companies over control of the Asian telecommunications market. The aim of the Telecommunication and IT Infrastructure Panel will be to shed more light on who the winners and losers will be in the broadband -- fixed wire and wireless -- races, and better define the “killer technology applications” that will shape and define a rapidly changing telecommunications industry.

Description: How have e-businesses in Asia responded to the ongoing market adjustment? What other challenges does they face and what undiscovered opportunities remain? Do their business models require re-engineering? What are the emerging business models? What forces, legal and otherwise, are shaping the Asian eBusiness landscape? Leaders from the cutting edge of the Asian e-business world will share their insights and experiences on these and other important questions.