Hundreds of senior government officials and business leaders are in Adelaide today as Southeast Asia’s largest business summit commences.
Around 750 domestic and international diplomatic officials, major investors and commercial leaders are in town for the Australia-ASEAN Business Forum, which has returned to South Australia for the first time in more than a decade.
Supported by the South Australian Government, the two-day event will focus on trade, and investment in renewable energy, the green economy, digital transformation and AI.
The forum will also provide a chance to explore opportunities created by the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) – the world’s largest free trade agreement, signed by Australia and 14 other countries and in effect since 2022.
Premier, Peter Malinauskas and Trade and Investment Minister, Joe Szakacs, are among those speaking at the event, along with:
- Hon. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN;
- HE Tiffany McDonald, Australia’s Ambassador to ASEAN;
- Tan Sri Nazir Razak, Chairman, ASEAN Business Advisory Council-Malaysia;
- Andrew McKellar, CEO, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry;
- Dianne Tipping, Chair, Export Council of Australia;
- Kevin Gallagher, Managing Director, Santos.
“Southeast Asia is already a global trading powerhouse and is continuing to grow,” said Minister Szakacs.
“The opportunity that this represents for South Australia is very real, and our Government is working hard with our state’s industries to ensure we capitalise on it.
“Seeing events like this return to the state for the first time in more than a decade is testament to this.
“We will be looking to build upon our already strong relationships in the region this week.”
Southeast Asia is one of the state’s priority markets, with the SA Government’s recently launched trade and investment identifying its increased importance over the next five years and beyond.
Within that region, ASEAN represents 10 countries – Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar – which have a collective population of more than 600 million.
All 10 ASEAN countries are signatories to the RCEP, with China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand also party to the partnership.
“This is an unparalleled opportunity to showcase the new, vibrant South Australia to influential business leaders and investors from across our region,” said Australia-ASEAN Business Forum chairman, Francis Wong OAM.
“We are confident the forum will unlock long-term partnerships and new opportunities that will benefit both Australia and ASEAN, especially South Australia.
“The Australia-ASEAN Business Forum is set to be a landmark event that reinforces Adelaide’s reputation as a forward-looking, globally connected city and positions South Australia as a hub for international collaboration.”
The 15 member countries of the RCEP account for around 30% of both global GDP and population.
For more information, visit auaseanbusinessforum.com.
