International Enterprise (IE) Singapore's Latin Asia Business Forum (LABF) is the premier platform for government and business leaders from Asia and Latin America & the Caribbean to foster closer business ties and partnerships.This edition will see a participation of approximately 300-350 delegates comprising foreign Ministers, Ambassadors, state government officials and prominent businessmen from Asia and Latin America & the Caribbean.
The Latin Asia Business Forum 2017 will examine how Latin America & the Caribbean and Asia can find new growth strategies, and mitigate the impact of volatility in light of the continuing challenges facing the global economy. The forum will focus on untapped Latin-Asia economic opportunities and the potential for even deeper engagement between both regions.
Following a turbulent 2016, Latin America & the Caribbean (LAC) is now at a turning point, with recovery expected to take hold this year. Brazil, LAC's largest economy, is also projected to emerge from its recession. New pro-business administrations of Argentina and Peru also form bright spots within LAC. Against this backdrop, GDP in LAC is expected to grow by 1.3% in 2017.
Addtionally, in light of the uncertainties in the US, countries such as Mexico are expected to turn towards Asia as part of their diversification strategies. This wave of change presents an opportunity for LAC and Asian businesses to forge close ties and unlock trade and connectivity linkages between the economies.
Experience Singapore, Your Gateway to Asia 2017
Date: 26-28th September
Venue: PwC and EDB offices, Singapore
Contact: Mr Julio Freitas or Mr Chen Pengfei
Seminar on Trade and Investment Opportunities of the Pacific Alliance
Date: Thursday, 28th September
Venue: Little Red Dot Seminar Room, International Enterprise Singapore
Time: 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Contact: Ms Andrea Rojas
Register here! Password: PAVIP
Why Invest in Argentina: Business Opportunities for Asian Strategic Investors
Date: Thursday, 28 September 2017
Venue: IE Singapore Rooms 1 & 2
Time: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Contact: Javier Sagaseta
Food Business Networking for LATAM and Singapore by AVA
Date: Thursday, 28th September
Venue: Little Red Dot Seminar Room, International Enterprise Singapore
Time: 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Contact: Ms Abigail Lai or Ms Eva Tanudjaja
Discover Business and Investment Opportunities in Ecuador
Date: Friday, 29th September
Venue: Little Red Dot Seminar Room, International Enterprise Singapore
Time: 9:00 am – 11:00am
Contact: info@latamcham.org
Register here!
Entrance from Nicoll Highway is nearer to the Ballrooms
The Latin Asia Business Forum 2017 will examine how Latin America & the Caribbean and Asia can find new growth strategies, and mitigate the impact of volatility in light of the continuing challenges facing the global economy. The forum will focus on untapped Latin-Asia economic opportunities and the potential for even deeper engagement between both regions.
HIGHLIGHTS | MARKET INSIGHTS | PROGRAMME | SPEAKERS | SPONSORS & PARTNERS | SIDE EVENTS | DIRECTIONS | EVENT APP
- Keynote Panel: Latin Asia Economic Partnership with Roberto Jaguaribe (President, Apex Brazil), Luis Enrique Berrizbeitia (Executive VP, CAF), and Yew Sung Pei (Assistant CE, IE Singapore) moderated by Susan Segal (CEO, Council of the Americas)
- Network with business owners, decision makers, policy makers and government leaders from LAC and Asia.
Following a turbulent 2016, Latin America & the Caribbean (LAC) is now at a turning point, with recovery expected to take hold this year. Brazil, LAC's largest economy, is also projected to emerge from its recession. New pro-business administrations of Argentina and Peru also form bright spots within LAC. Against this backdrop, GDP in LAC is expected to grow by 1.3% in 2017.
Addtionally, in light of the uncertainties in the US, countries such as Mexico are expected to turn towards Asia as part of their diversification strategies. This wave of change presents an opportunity for LAC and Asian businesses to forge close ties and unlock trade and connectivity linkages between the economies.
1300 | Registration and networking reception |
1400 | Keynote Address Mr S Iswaran, Minister for Trade & Industry (Industry) MOU Signing |
| 1415 | Keynote Panel: Latin Asia Economic Partnership* Trade and investment ties between Latin America & Caribbean (LAC) region and Asia have strengthened, spurred on by closer trade linkages and more bilateral trade agreements. While some advance economies may appear to look inwards, it is important for Asia and LAC to keep trade linkages open. There are large untapped opportunities to do trade and invest with LAC. LAC is at a turning point, with recovery expected to take hold this year. Governments have recognised that beyond macroeconomic policy adjustment, structural reforms are essential to support medium-term growth. Singapore can continue to play a part in strengthening the economic partnership between LAC and Asia. As a diversification strategy, Asia is an attractive market as it continues to outperform global growth performance and can support the development of a stronger LAC. This panel will discuss:
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1515 | Networking Tea |
1545 | Breakout Session A: Mapping the Latin-Asia Connectivity* As a whole, the Latin America & Caribbean region (LAC) is already the largest net food exporting region in the world, and yet has only scratched the surface of its potential to expand agricultural production for global consumption and export. The region’s production prowess can be seen from the massive farms in Brazil to the meat packing plants of Argentina and Uruguay, the asparagus fields of Peru and the corn fields of Mexico. Today, in Asia alone, the population of 4.4billion is equivalent to more than 50% of the total world population. Currently, 30% of the Asian population are from the middle income class, and rapid growth in China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia will cause Asia’s share of the new middle to more than double from today. By 2030, Asia will host 64% of the global middle class and account for over 40% of global middle-class consumption. Advanced connectivity in logistics and distribution is crucial to ensure that LAC production goes from where it grows in abundance to where it doesn’t. Businesses and governments will have to work together to increase productivity, encourage innovation, and improve integration in supply chains. Tapping on Singapore’s role as the key global hub, there remains room to advance in the space of connectivity, financing and innovation to facilitate greater trade between both regions. This panel will discuss:
The smart city momentum is also growing extensively in Asia, and nations see smart solutions as a way to make the leap from emerging to developed economies. Cities in Southeast Asia have made varying progress based on their infrastructure, technical advancements and quality of human resources. Singapore is still in the early stages of building its version of a Smart City. Some of the notable smart services in Singapore lie within the urban mobility and e-Governance sector. This panel will discuss:
Despite the current outlook for the Oil & Gas sector, the investment environment in LAC is improving. Some domestic oil & gas industries are on the upswing, creating jobs, prime example being Mexico. Mexico’s energy reform has successfully allocated 41 fields for shallow water, deep water, and onshore exploration and production with international companies such as Total, Exxon Mobil, BHP Billiton, BP, Shell, Chevron, ChinaOil, Petronas and Mexican operating companies such as Petrobal, Sierra Oil and Gas, and Grupo R each securing fields. The total committed investment of US$49 billion is poised to spark new activities in the sector. As businesses evolve, emerging opportunities could lie in LNG and Renewables. The abundance of natural gas in LAC presents significant opportunities for economic growth, partnership and investments in physical infrastructure, technology and regulatory know-how. Countries including Colombia, Peru and Mexico are developing terminals, upgrading LNG infrastructure and looking at LNG imports for fuel oil substitution in their power plants. The renewable energy sector is also increasingly fuelling power in LAC, with LAC being the world’s leader in clean energy. The potential for the sector is large enough to cover its projected 2050 electricity needs 22 times over. This panel will discuss:
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1715 | Networking Cocktail |
1930 | End of Event |
Programme timing and schedule is subject to change.
*Simultaneous translations will be available (English to Spanish & English to Portugese)
*Simultaneous translations will be available (English to Spanish & English to Portugese)
 | Luis Enrique Berrizbeitia Executive VP CAF, Development Bank of Latin America |  | Ronaldo Veirano Founding Partner Veirano Advogados |
 | Robert Yap Executive Chairman YCH Group |  | Marcos Jank Chief Executive Officer Asia-Brazil Agro Alliance |
 | Susan Segal Chief Executive Officer Council of the Americas & Americas Society |  | Andres Osorio Managing Director Avianca Cargo |
 | Chan Han Meng Founder Managing Director ADL Capital Group |  | Eric Farnsworth Vice President Council of the Americas & Americas Society |
 | Joe Poon Chief Technology Officer Managing Director Surbana Jurong |  | José Carrera Vice president of Social Development CAF, Development Bank of Latin America |
 | Juan Acra López President Mexican Energy Council, COMENER |  | Law Chung Ming Group Director, Transport & Logistics Group International Enterprise (IE) Singapore |
 | Yew Sung Pei Assistant CEO International Enterprise (IE) Singapore |  | Nicholas Wee Chief Architect CrimsonLogic |
 | Roberto Jaguaribe President Apex Brasil Brazil |  | James Pang Managing Director, Commercial and Business Development Pacific Radiance |
 | Diego Martinez Association of Berries Exporters (ANEBERRIES) Mexico |  | Iain Mars Minerva Foods Brazil |
 | Sam Cheong Managing Director of Commercial Banking Head of Group Foreign Direct Investment Advisory UOB |
Platinum Sponsor |
Gold Sponsors |
Knowledge Partner |
Supporting Organisations  |
Bootcamp Latin Asia
Experience Singapore, Your Gateway to Asia 2017
Date: 26-28th September
Venue: PwC and EDB offices, Singapore
Contact: Mr Julio Freitas or Mr Chen Pengfei
| Organised by: | |
| Singapore Economic Development Board | |
| PwC |
Seminar on Trade and Investment Opportunities of the Pacific Alliance
Date: Thursday, 28th September
Venue: Little Red Dot Seminar Room, International Enterprise Singapore
Time: 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Contact: Ms Andrea Rojas
Register here! Password: PAVIP
| Organised by: | In Collaboration with: |
| Embassy of Chile in Singapore Embassy of Colombia in Singapore Embassy of Mexico in Singapore Embassy of Peru in Singapore | Singapore Business Federation Latin American Chamber of Commerce |
| Sponsored by: | |
| EY |
Why Invest in Argentina: Business Opportunities for Asian Strategic Investors
Date: Thursday, 28 September 2017
Venue: IE Singapore Rooms 1 & 2
Time: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Contact: Javier Sagaseta
| Organised by: | Supported by: |
| Embassy of the Argentina Republic in Singapore | International Enterprise Singapore |
Food Business Networking for LATAM and Singapore by AVA
Date: Thursday, 28th September
Venue: Little Red Dot Seminar Room, International Enterprise Singapore
Time: 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Contact: Ms Abigail Lai or Ms Eva Tanudjaja
| Organised by: | Supported by: |
| AVA | MUIS |
Discover Business and Investment Opportunities in Ecuador
Date: Friday, 29th September
Venue: Little Red Dot Seminar Room, International Enterprise Singapore
Time: 9:00 am – 11:00am
Contact: info@latamcham.org
Register here!
| Organised by: | Supported by: |
| ProEcuador | International Enterprise Singapore |
| Latin American Chamber of Commerce | Singapore Business Federation |
Entrance from Nicoll Highway is nearer to the Ballrooms
Use the LABF Event App to connect with fellow delegates via the integrated business matching platform, participate in panel sessions polls and Q&A!
Follow the instructions below to get started:
Step 1: DOWNLOAD
Download 'MICEPAD' from Apple Store or Google Play, and install onto your mobile device. The App works on both smartphones and tablets.
Alternatively, you may also access similar features on the Web App.
*Please note that you will not be able to receive important notices via Push Notification and Feeds on the Web App
Step 2: LOGIN
Login with the email address you have used to sign up for the event.
Event App features are made available only to successfully registered delegates of LABF 2017. If you are also attending another IE Singapore's event that uses the Event App, simply tap on 'All Events' under the Settings panel to select the App for LABF.
Should you have trouble logging into your account or using the Event App, please contact our Event App Co-ordinator at claudiang@tricom.com.sg or approach our Event App helpdesk on-site.
