The Philippines: Keeping up the momentum

The Philippines: Keeping up the momentum

Finance Secretary Cesar V Purisima who has been recognised as Finance Minister of the Year six times in five consecutive years by business and finance publications, will speak at this high-level conference to discuss the Philippine economy and opportunities it presents.

The Philippines is one of the most dynamic economies in the Southeast Asia region. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects the economy to grow by 6 per cent in 2016. Once dubbed the ‘sick man of Asia’, the country has become one of the most resilient economies in Asia with sound economic fundamentals. Private consumption and investment are expected to maintain solid growth in 2016. But will the momentum be maintained as political dynamics change?

Mr Purisima, who is said to be the helmsman behind the transformation, will give his views on the investment climate and current developments in the Philippines in the light of the upcoming presidential and vice presidential elections scheduled on May 9, 2016. His remarks will be followed by a panel discussion. Join policymakers, senior business executives and experts for an insightful discussion on the outlook of the Philippine economy and the opportunities ahead.

Agenda

10.00 – 10.30 Registration and networking
10.30 – 10.35 Opening Remarks, Michael Lawrence, Chief Executive of Asia House
10.35 – 10.40 Keynote Speech by Cesar V. Purisima, Finance Secretary, Philippines
10.40 – 11.00 Discussion with Cesar V. Purisima, Finance Secretary, Philippines, moderated by Michael Lawrence
11.00 – 12.05 Panel discussion, moderated by Michael Lawrence
12.05 – 12.10 Closing Remarks, Gilberto G.B. Asuque, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines

Confirmed Speakers:

Cesar V. Purisima, Secretary of Finance of the Philippines @CVP1960

Cesar V. Purisima is the Secretary of Finance of the Philippines and the Chair of the Economic Development Cluster of the President’s Cabinet. Purisima is currently a member of the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Governor for the Philippines at the ADB, the Governor for the Philippines at the World Bank, and Alternate Governor for the Philippines at the International Monetary Fund. In 2015, he served as the Chair of the APEC Finance Ministers’ Process and Chair of the Vulnerable 20 Group of Finance Ministers. Purisima has been recognised as Finance Minister of the Year six times in five consecutive years, a first in the history of the Department of Finance and the Philippines.

Richard Graham MP, Trade Envoy for the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and the AEC @RichardGrahamMP

Richard is a Conservative MP for Gloucester and the Trade Envoy for the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). He has previously worked in several ASEAN countries and lived in Indonesia and the Philippines, as well as Hong Kong and China in the wider region, in aviation, diplomacy and finance.

Lynette Ortiz, Head of Capital Markets, ASEAN, Standard Chartered Bank

Lynette is the Regional Head of Capital Markets, ASEAN for Standard Chartered Bank. Lynette’s responsibilities cover developing and driving capital markets business strategies in conjunction with the other business partners within the Bank, alongside regional governance. She also works closely with the Bank’s coverage teams to manage key client relationships in the region. In recent years, Lynette led a number of landmark transactions for ASEAN issuers, in both domestic and international markets. Prior to assuming her regional role, Lynette was the Financial Markets and Capital Markets Head for the Philippines. She has worked with various financial institutions in the areas of capital markets, risk management, treasury and asset management.

Roberto B. Tan, Treasurer of the Philippines, Bureau of Treasury

Mr. Tan was re-appointed Treasurer of the Philippines in January 2015. Concurrently, he is the Officer-in-Charge of the International Finance Group of the Department of Finance. He was first appointed as Treasurer of the Philippines in July 2008 and became World Bank Executive Director in November 2012. Mr. Tan has an extensive experience in public finance having assumed several key positions in the Department of Finance, including Undersecretary from 2005 to 2008, Assistant Secretary from 1999 to 2005, and Director in the early 1990s for the International Finance Group. Mr. Tan also assumed the post of Advisor to the Executive Director of the Asian Development Bank Board. His professional background includes treasury management, international finance, consumer credit, and management consulting.

Tony Best, Group Director, STI Surface Technology International

Tony Best joined STI as a Director in March 2010. STI is a leading UK electronics company that manufactures complex products for world-leading companies in high-reliability industries such as aerospace and defence, energy and industrial controls. STI employs nearly 500 staff in Cebu, Philippines, and has been a leading advocate for the development of the country’s industrial skill-base and export potential and was a founder member of the Aerospace Industries Association of the Philippines. From 1982 – 2010 Tony worked in the financial services industry, spending nearly 25 years at the US investment bank JPMorgan where he was Head of Global Sales and member of the Global Executive Committee.

Gilberto G.B. Asuque, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines

Mr. Gilberto G. B. Asuque has extensive experiences in foreign affairs. He served as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Tokyo, Japan, the assistant Secretary for Ocean Concerns for the Department of Foreign Affairs in the Philippines, the Philippine Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Lebanon. He held various degrees including a Master of Laws in International Maritime Law (Ll.M.) at International Maritime Law Institute of the International Maritime Organization in Msida Heights, Valetta, Malta and a Master of Arts in Maritime Policy of the University of Greenwich in London.

Moderated by Michael Lawrence, Chief Executive of Asia House @asiahouseuk

Michael Lawr Michael-Lawrence-140x140 ence is the Chief Executive of Asia House, the centre of expertise on Asia and UK’s leading pan-Asian organisation. He heads the Asia House team in delivering thought leadership and market intelligence on Asia to some of the UK’s biggest companies, through its programme of events on business, policy and politics and culture.