Asian Investment Conference 2021

Monday, March 22, 2021

Plenary Session

Keynote Address | What scars will Covid-19 leave on the economy?

09:35 HKT | 01:35 GMT | 21:35-1 Day EDT

Deep recessions can inflict lasting damage on workers, businesses and households. Regional Federal Reserve Bank President Barkin discusses where he thinks we might see such scars after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Plenary Session

Keynote Address | Asia – emerging stronger in a post-COVID world

10:30 HKT | 02:30 GMT | 22:30-1 Day EDT

How will Asia emerge stronger in a post-COVID world? Joining us from a unique vantage point to share his views on the regional dynamics at play and the transformative responses required is the Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore.

Stream 1

Conversation | What is the best way to fight global poverty?

11:00 HKT | 03:00 GMT | 23:00-1 Day EDT

When it comes to poverty alleviation, how do you judge which strategies are making a difference? And how can economics help solve the most challenging issues of our times including climate change, inequality and trade? Hear from a Nobel Laureate in Economics on how her research into what drives behavior in poor countries can inform policy and carry important lessons for governments globally.

Stream 2

Conversation | How does disruptive technology induce social innovation?

11:00 HKT | 03:00 GMT | 23:00-1 Day EDT

How can senior executives build resilient businesses during Covid-19 that are positioned for future growth? The CEO of New World Development, who is also a leading arts patron, shares his insights on how companies can stand out during challenging times by embracing technology, while creating shared value for the communities they serve.

Stream 3

Credit Suisse Insight | How much higher can stock valuations go? 

11:00 HKT | 03:00 GMT | 23:00-1 Day EDT

P/E multiples tend to trough during recessions and expand in line with the business cycle. With valuations near peak levels, investors are wondering just how much higher stock prices can go. Our Equity Strategist for the US offers a less conventional explanation, one that suggests far more upside than expected, for the market’s recent rise.

Stream 1

Keynote Address | What will be the role of multilateral agencies in a post-pandemic economic recovery?

14:00 HKT | 06:00 GMT | 02:00 EDT

Almost without exception, the Covid-19 crisis has impacted national economies. Governments have had to dedicate substantial fiscal resources to address healthcare challenges and support their economies. What role do Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank have in supporting economies as they address their financial needs and, importantly, as they chart their economic recovery plans? What reforms are needed in multilateral institutions to address future global challenges such as climate change, widespread poverty, lack of basic infrastructure, new technologies and future pandemics? In this Keynote Address, the President of one of the world’s newest MDBs discusses what lies ahead for the sector.

Stream 2

Panel | How are Malaysia’s Government-Linked Investment Companies navigating ESG and Malaysia’s political economy? 

14:00 HKT | 06:00 GMT | 02:00 EDT

Government-Linked Investment Companies (GLICs) took the lead in improving Malaysian corporate governance following the excesses of the 1990s. What role are different government funds playing as markets evolve to address ESG? How do they balance the needs of different stakeholders, ranging from the end beneficiaries to policymakers? Hear insights from three CEOs of Malaysia’s GLICs.

Stream 3

Credit Suisse Insight | Can China’s semiconductor industry achieve self-reliance and close the production gap? 

14:00 HKT | 06:00 GMT | 02:00 EDT

After two decades of focus, China’s track record in semiconductors has been mixed. Manufacturers have delivered only mild progress due to high barriers to technology, scale, know-how and talent development in advanced manufacturing. In contrast, IC design companies grew their global market share from 4% in 2010 to 22% in 2020. Can China successfully build its domestic production and close the gap with the US? How will growing global protectionism impact the industry and what trends and policies provide long-term support for China’s semiconductor companies? In this discussion, Credit Suisse’s Head of Taiwan Research and its China Technology analyst discuss what lies ahead for the sector.  

Stream 1

Conversation | What role can technology play in enhancing a nation's growth prospects?

15:00 HKT | 07:00 GMT | 03:00 EDT

India’s government has innovatively used technology to deliver basic goods and services at remarkably low cost and leakage to a billion people. It has also created world-leading digital infrastructure in finance. The co-founder of Infosys and one of the architects of India’s transformational technology infrastructure shares his views on the achievements so far, next steps, and the risks policymakers must guard against.

Stream 2

Conversation | Sustainable investing —  fleeting trend or here to stay?

15:00 HKT | 07:00 GMT | 03:00 EDT

In the past few decades, nations across Asia have achieved remarkable economic progress but social and environmental issues persist. Insufficient access to healthcare and education, widening income inequality, and recurrent climate disasters continue to affect millions of people across the region. Investors in Asia can help tackle these challenges by focusing on ESG investing, and demand is growing for ESG-aligned portfolios augmenting ESG fund AuMs. Yet, recent Credit Suisse research finds that over 80% of global financial assets are in developed countries while 70% of SDG-related spending needs are concentrated in developing countries. This presents a major opportunity and, in this session, a panel of Credit Suisse experts will outline key sustainable investing trends and highlight ways to meet growing investor demand, and the themes to focus on in order to gain a competitive edge and generate alpha.

Stream 3

Credit Suisse Insight |  Is China’s sportswear sector transitioning from a jog to a sprint? 

15:00 HKT | 07:00 GMT | 03:00 EDT

China sportswear is on track to maintain double digit growth driven by ongoing athleisure trend, increased health consciousness among consumers, government measures to encourage exercising and brands’ shift towards direct-to-consumer channel strategy. Join our panel of senior China equity analysts as they explain why they are turning bullish on the sportswear sector and share which brands are set to outperform. 

Stream 1

Conversation | What are the major trends in art and luxury goods that collectors and investors should know about? 

16:00 HKT | 08:00 GMT | 04:00 EDT

Despite the various challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, many financial markets have thrived and people have continued their quest for more and newer acquisitions – including art and luxury goods. How has the market for fine arts and collectibles performed during this period and what are its future prospects? Has the pandemic validated the thesis that art is a new asset class in the investing world? How is digitalization changing this market in a world with limited to no travel and big gatherings? Join us as the CEO of one of the world’s largest auction houses shares his insights.

Stream 2

Address | What is the future of education in a digitally connected world?

16:00 HKT | 08:00 GMT | 04:00 EDT

With Covid-19 disrupting education globally and bringing online learning to the fore, the future of education will never be the same again. Spearheading this change are ed-tech leaders that are blending the best of online and offline learning, while personalizing programs to each student’s learning patterns. Discussing how the ed-tech sector is reinventing the way students learn and what to expect from the classrooms of tomorrow is the Founder and CEO of BYJU’s, one of the world's most valuable ed-tech startups. This session will also cover the growth journey of BYJU'S and how it is helping students cross the bridge from passive to active learning.

Stream 3

Credit Suisse Insight | Fast food — what's fueling the rise in China e-grocery?

16:00 HKT | 08:00 GMT | 04:00 EDT

E-grocery penetration in China is reaching an inflection point, driven by a shift in consumer behavior to favor online channels and the build-up of fulfilment infrastructure, with Credit Suisse estimating online grocery sales will experience a 29% CAGR in the six years to 2025. Much of this growth is expected to come from lower-tier cities, placing pressure on offline stores as ecommerce platforms grab a greater share of the market. Join Credit Suisse’s Head of China Internet Securities Research and Regional Head of Gaming and Lodging Securities Research, Head of China Consumer Securities Research and CQi China Consumer Analyst as they explore the opportunities – and challenges – for this fast-growing sector. 

Stream 1

Making waves — why are SPACs surging and what are the opportunities for investors? 

16:50 HKT | 08:50 GMT | 04:50 EDT

2020 was a record year for US-listed Special Purpose Acquisition Companies or SPACs with US$83 billion of volume issued, equivalent to 49% of the total IPO market. And that momentum has continued into 2021 with US$85 billion raised so far this year. Asia is now emerging as the next opportunity for SPACs both in terms of new vehicles launching and as a rich source of potential acquisitions. With stock exchanges vying for SPAC listings and investors spoilt for choice, our panel of experts address the key topics in this exciting space. 

Stream 3

Credit Suisse Insight | Is India’s PLI scheme a turning point for industrial policy?

16:50 HKT | 08:50 GMT | 04:50 EDT

Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes signal a meaningful shift in India’s industrial policy by linking incentives to output and relying on “champions” to maximize impact. With Credit Suisse estimating PLI schemes will add 0.3% to annual GDP growth between FY2023 and FY2027, join our Credit Suisse experts as they shed light on this game-changing policy and related investment opportunities.

Plenary session

Conversation | How can overseas investors capitalize on the broad growth opportunities in China?

21:05 HKT | 13:05 GMT | 09:05 EDT

China’s capital markets are undergoing a once-in-a-lifetime transformation. Further integration of onshore and offshore markets, the rise of A-shares institutionalization – illustrated by the dramatic pick-up in new mutual fund launches – and the increasing global impact of mainland investors, present a significant structural opportunity for investors. The former Chief Executive of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing shares his experience as a key driver of this process as well as his thoughts on the roadmap for China’s capital markets liberalization program.

Plenary session

Prime Services Panel | As we look to the future of due diligence, how can we go the extra mile?

22:00 HKT | 14:00 GMT | 10:00 EDT

As vaccination initiatives gather momentum worldwide, institutions are looking to assess how work, travel and the investment environment will look in a post-Covid-19 world, and what lies ahead for due diligence. Can managers and investors expect a resumption of pre-pandemic norms and expectations? What lessons have we learned from virtual due diligence? How will the manager-investor dynamic evolve over time? Join a panel of experts as they shed light on these issues and explore the future of due diligence.