Asian Investment Conference 2023

Breakfast at Credit Suisse Lounge (Level L) and Ballroom Foyer (Level LL)

Welcome Address

• Benjamin Cavalli, CEO Hong Kong, Head of Wealth Management, Asia Pacific, and Asia Pacific Sustainability Leader, Credit Suisse

Keynote Address

• Michael Wong Wai-lun, GBS, JP, Deputy Financial Secretary of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Conversation: How will China move from a rapid reopening to a lasting recovery?

China’s rapid reopening and the end of Covid controls have raised projections for the country’s economic growth in 2023. Moreover, the reshuffle of the country’s leadership, to be ratified at the ‘two sessions’ annual parliamentary meetings in March, has stabilized the market expectation. As China looks to a new chapter and refocuses on growth, what is the outlook for its economy?  

How will China revitalize confidence in its private sector and revive economic momentum? How can policymakers tackle the three key challenges of shrinking demand, supply shocks and weakening expectations? What do long-term trends in demographics and deglobalization mean for the world's second-largest economy?  

Join this session with one of China’s top economists for new perspectives on China’s economic development and insight into China’s macro policies. 

** Session conducted in Mandarin with English simultaneous translation.

• Gang Fan, President, China Development Institute
• Host: Dong Tao, Vice Chairman Greater China, Wealth Management, Asia Pacific, Credit Suisse
   

Is the "Chip War" the new Cold War?

Silicon chips power everything from mobile phones to the energy grid and nuclear submarines. The semiconductor industry is a triumph of globalisation, with the most advanced chips almost exclusively designed in the US and produced in East Asia. 

Power in the modern world is built on a foundation of computer chips, however rising tensions between the US and China threaten the supply chain as the two powers vie to maximise their control over critical chip technology. 

The ‘Chip War’ has far-reaching implications that go well beyond the semiconductor sector and the many industries that depend on it. 

Historian Chris Miller provides a value perspective on how this echo system has evolved, and the longer- term implications for the global economy. Will the US maintain its technological edge? Can China break its dependence on advanced American technology? Join this session to explore the forces that will shape the future of chip manufacturing and what it means for investors.  

Speaker(s):

• Chris Miller, Associate Professor of International History, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
• Host: Randy Abrams, Head of Semiconductor Securities Research, Asia Pacific, Credit Suisse
  
  

Vital technologies and infrastructure — what is the key to smart EV transition?

Global sales of electric vehicles broke records in 2022, posting double-digit growth year-on-year. With such strong demand, and supply chain disruptions easing, is the path ahead clear for the EV sector? What barriers might prevent mainstream EV adoption or the wider transition to electric transport? Are the world’s electric grids, charging infrastructures and battery technologies ready for more EVs to hit the road?  

We ask the CFO of one of China’s most-recognized electric car brands where he sees the industry heading this year, and what new developments he is watching out for. From battery technologies to autonomous driving, this session will explore how the electric transition is unfolding and what it will take to turn bottlenecks in the industry into opportunities. 

Speaker(s):

• Steven Feng, CFO, NIO
• Host: Alex Wong, Head of Mobility & Industrial Technologies, Asia Pacific, Investment Banking & Capital Markets, Credit Suisse
  
  

Will the Russia-Ukraine war reset global power relations?

For over 400 years we have seen major powers come together periodically to re-establish how they engage. The 1648 Peace of Westphalia. The 1711 Treaty of Utrecht. The 1814 Congress of Vienna. The short-lived League of Nations. The post-WWII UN. The Bretton Woods institutions. 

The world is ripe for another reset, with great-power rivalry at the fore after thirty years of relative peace. Historically, each reset was preceded by long and brutal wars. Can the Russia-Ukraine conflict be the catalyst for this change?  

Recent developments suggest it is no longer just about the warring nations. How will the new world order crystallize? We are privileged to host eminent historian, academic and author Prof. Stephen Kotkin, and noted foreign policy expert and academic Dr. C. Raja Mohan, to discuss this important question. 

Speaker(s):

• Stephen Kotkin, Kleinheinz Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University; John P. Birkelund '52 Professor, History and International Affairs Emeritus,  Princeton University
• C. Raja Mohan, Senior Fellow, Asia Society Policy Institute
• Host: Neelkanth Mishra, Co-Head of Asia Pacific Strategy and Head of Securities Research, India, Credit Suisse
  
  

Can innovation and technology help save the world’s coral reefs?

Coral reef degradation has devastating effects on marine life and the broader ecosystem. For example, coral reefs are a food source for more than 1.2 billion people. Archireef utilises the power of 3D-printing powered by marine science and the use of natural materials to help coral reefs recover better. With that, the company actively restores biodiversity, taking an attacking position in helping the environment.

The technology was first adopted by the Hong Kong Government to restore coral seriously damaged by natural disasters like typhoons and red tides. Archireef has since opened a first-of-its-kind eco-engineering facility in Abu Dhabi and embarked on a mission to bring its pioneering technology to the Middle East.

Can this technology serve as an enabler when it comes to unlocking an ocean of opportunities in the marine biodiversity space?

Speaker(s):

• Deniz Tekerek, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer, Archireef
• Host: Emma Crystal, Chief Sustainability Officer, Credit Suisse
  
  

Networking Buffet at L5 Garden Café & Casual Lunch at L6 Credit Suisse Lounge

How will China's recovery in 2023 be different from previous recoveries?

The abrupt end to China’s pandemic controls has come as a welcome boost to the country’s slowing economy. Consumers are spending again, and policymakers are focusing on growth once more. But it is far from certain that the rebound in economic activity will turn into a sustained recovery and restore China’s growth to its previous trend. Is consumer sentiment as strong as it was before the Covid pandemic? Will problems in the property sector hold back the consumption recovery? Do local governments have the capacity to stimulate the economy through infrastructure spending?

This session brings together Credit Suisse’s top China thought leaders to discuss what the macro signals and grassroots data reveal about the direction of growth in 2023. We explore the implications of China’s reopening – and what it means for investors.

Speaker(s):

• David Wang, Head of Asia (ex. Japan) Economics and Chief China Economist, Credit Suisse
• Haixu Qiu, Deputy Head, China Quantitative Insight (CQi), Credit Suisse
• Moderator: Edmond Huang, Head of Securities Research, China, and Head of China Equity Strategy, Credit Suisse
  
  

Pushing to the limit — is it really all in the mind?  

Having narrowly escaped death no fewer than 21 times, survival guru Bear Grylls is an expert at cultivating resilience, with the ability to adapt and succeed in times of adversity and uncertainty.  

Grylls first made headlines as one of the youngest people to scale Mount Everest. A feat he achieved shortly after recovering from a parachuting accident that broke three of his vertebrae and left him temporarily unable to walk.  

A former member of the British Army’s elite Special Air Service, Grylls went on to host several hugely popular television series, showcasing survival techniques and breath-taking stunts. He is also a bestselling author - his latest, Mind Fuel, was published in October.  

In addition to his many stomach-churning exploits on television, Grylls is known for championing conservation and sustainability, and is an accomplished investor with a wide range of business interests.  

Join Bear as he shares lessons learned from navigating some of the harshest environments. Gain perspectives on how to overcome our self-limiting beliefs and fears to achieve extraordinary feats. How does our mindset affect our success in business? What daily practices can we adopt to manage stress and build mental resilience?   

Speaker(s):

• Bear Grylls, Adventurer, Writer and Television Presenter
   

Occupying the middle ground — how will South and Southeast Asia navigate the China-US competition?

When elephants fight, the grass gets trampled – South and Southeast Asian countries are well aware of this African proverb. With tensions between China and the US increasing, efforts of Asia’s southern half to stay neutral are becoming increasingly challenging. How will India and ASEAN respond to the great power competition? Will they be forced to take sides? Can they maintain good trading and investment relations with both countries? Can they leverage the competition to their benefit?   

Join this fascinating panel discussion with eminent diplomat and academic Mr. Bilahari Kausikan, noted foreign policy expert and academic Dr. C Raja Mohan, and author, journalist and ASEAN expert Michael Vatikiotis as they attempt answers to these fascinating questions. 

Speaker(s):

• Bilahari Kausikan, Chairman, Middle East Institute, National University of Singapore
• C. Raja Mohan, Senior Fellow, Asia Society Policy Institute
• Michael Vatikiotis, Senior Adviser, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue
• Moderator: Dan Fineman, Co-Head of Asia Pacific Strategy, Credit Suisse
   

The Family Business Model — how do family values drive long term alpha generation? 

Credit Suisse research has consistently found that family-owned businesses outperform their non-family-owned peers and are more focused on maximizing value for future generations. In Asia Pacific — home to more than half of the world’s major family-owned firms — these businesses have again proven their resilience in the face of external shocks and remain key drivers of the region’s economic growth.

How are Asia’s family-run companies approaching the post-pandemic era? Are owner-operators better at thinking long-term and looking through the cycle? Does a long history hold back innovation?

In this panel discussion, two of Asia’s most prominent business leaders join Credit Suisse executives to explore the evolving role of founding families and other insights from the new edition of the Credit Suisse Family 1,000 report.

Join the session to hear how family-owned businesses are engaging with investors, giving back to society and planning for the future.

Speaker(s):

• James Go, Chiarman, JG Summit Group
• Sir Francis Yeoh, Executive Chairman, YTL Group
• Richard Kersley, Head of Global Product Management and Executive Member of Credit Suisse Research Institute, Credit Suisse
• Moderator: Viola Werner, Global Head of Next Generation and Families, Credit Suisse
   

How can sustainable aviation fuels provide 'green skies' for tomorrow?

Thanks to recent changes is policy, sustainable aviation fuels are set to take off in 2023 with airlines, airport hubs and producers accelerating their plans to scale production. Sustainable aviation fuel is at the forefront of technologies set to accelerate decarbonization across not only aviation, but other, hard to shift sectors including trucking and shipping.  

With the demand for sustainable aviation fuels set to take off, this panel of technology leaders and suppliers discuss the pros and cons of the different technology pathways, challenges around scale and cost and what’s next on the policy agenda.   

Speaker(s):

• Sami Jauhiainen, Vice President Asia Pacific, Renewable Aviation, Neste
• Philip Siu, CEO, EcoCeres 
• Jonathan Yeo, CEO, FlyORO
• Moderator: Phineas Glover, Head of ESG Securities Research, Asia Pacific, Credit Suisse
   

China post Covid — stop start or boom? 

Stop start or boom? Having shed the great wet blanket of zero Covid, how is China’s economy likely to fare in 2023? CQi’s David Murphy shares his team’s on-the-ground insights based on their extensive consumer and industry surveys across the country. 

Speaker(s):

• David Murphy, Head of China Quantitative Insights (CQi), Credit Suisse 
• Haixu Qiu, Deputy Head, China Quantitative Insight (CQi), Credit Suisse
• Lei Chen, Consumer Research, China Quantitative Insight (CQi), Credit Suisse
   

What role will natural gas play in the new normal for energy security in Asia? 

Since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war, gas has become central to global energy security. European countries compete fiercely with Asia for liquefied natural gas (LNG). Supplies previously imported via pipeline direct from Russia, now arrive by boat.

This structural shift in LNG supply and demand brings concerns over energy security in the Asia Pacific to the fore, with Australia in the spotlight as a major supplier.

Join this not to be missed session that will explore the opportunities and challenges this environment presents for the oil and gas industry in Asia Pacific, including an outlook on investments and acquisitions. 

Speaker(s):

• Stuart Nicholls, CEO, Strike Energy Limited
• Graham Tiver, CFO, Woodside Energy Group Limited
• Moderator: Saul Kavonic, Head of Integrated Energy and Resources Securities Research, Australia, Credit Suisse
   

How will Chinese institutional investors reshape the country’s capital markets? 

We anticipate the rise of the domestic Chinese institutional investor will prove to be one of the most important developments of the decade. China A-shares offer an unprecedented opportunity for global investors as they become increasingly central in the China equity story.  

Join this session to better understand the shifting dynamics of Chinese equities, who owns what and where new opportunities are emerging. In this session we discuss key structural trends, datapoints to watch and highlight critical signals to help you navigate the opportunities in Chinese equities.  

Speaker(s):

• Will Stephens, Head of Quantitative and Systematic Strategy (QSS), Credit Suisse