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Diplomatic, academic and exporter insights aired at ASEAN event

Export community and diplomatic representatives, and leading academics were among those gathered for a 'Celebrating ASEAN' event at Rutherford House last week.

Panel members and invited guests engaged in discussions designed to further develop relationships and opportunities at the Victoria Business School-hosted event 'Celebrating ASEAN'.
Panel members and invited guests engaged in discussions designed to further develop relationships and opportunities at the Victoria Business School-hosted event "Celebrating ASEAN".

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and to celebrate, Victoria University and the Wellington Asia Forum organised a line-up of speakers to reflect on the ASEAN-New Zealand relationship and consider future collaboration and engagement.

The first panel session featured an ASEAN overview from Thailand’s ambassador H.E. Mr Maris Sangiampongsa anda proposition that sound investment opportunities in the region provided an alternative to China from the BNZ Chair in Business in Asia, Professor Siah Hwee Ang.

This was followed by a discussion on New Zealand’s relationship with ASEAN from the New Zealand perspective by Simon Murdoch, Deputy Chair of Asia New Zealand Foundation.

In the second panel session, the Chancellor Sir Neville Jordan gave a presentation on Indonesia and Jenny McGregor, the General Manager Trade Strategy at Fonterra, provided some insights about positioning along global value chains.

Victoria’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Dean of Commerce, Professor Ian O. Williamson, then looked at the role of leadership when doing business in ASEAN markets, growth opportunities were discussed by Catherine Beard, Executive Director ManufacturingNZ and ExportNZ.

Participants engaged in broader discussions during the Q&A sessions and informal networking over morning tea. This is one of a number of initiatives by Victoria University to enable our Asia-Pacific trading nation and provide a solid platform for further and deeper conversations in the ASEAN-New Zealand relationship.