Innovation: the key to regional growth in Asia

The Asia-Pacific region is growing in economic strength and prominence, and the pace of technological innovation is a key driver of this growth. Yet innovation will also bring its own set of challenges. The current model of labour-intensive, export-led manufacturing in the region is being undermined by the forces of digitalisation and automation, and regional innovative growth remains generally weak, un-inclusive, and concentrated within certain countries. As Asia’s young population demands more efficient rates of technology adoption, the role of government and policymakers in regulating and driving such innovation is increasingly important.

What is the role of technology in opening opportunities for business, enhancing productivity and alleviating poverty in the Asia-Pacific region? How do governments support regulate the pace and direction of innovation and research so as to ensure both continued progress and the management of risks? How can policymakers encourage innovation and growth throughout the region, across borders and beyond central urban areas? What kind of regulations, in intellectual property for example, are needed to encourage continued innovative and original growth?

In this off-the-record roundtable, held in partnership with Pfizer, our expert speakers will seek to answer these questions and examine the role that innovation can play in driving regional growth.

Speakers include:

John McKendry, Vice President – Developed Asia Cluster Lead, Pfizer

Vivek Pathak, Regional Director for East Asia and the Pacific, International Finance Corporation

Steve Leonard, Founding CEO, SGInnovate

This event is being held on the sidelines of our signature conference Asia Trade in the New Global Order.