Malaysian PM heads program of stellar keynote speakers & VIPs for 2018 World Chinese Economic Forum

MELBOURNE, Australia - Oct. 21, 2018 - PRLog -- Malaysian Prime Minister The Hon Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's opening keynote address will herald the start of a program of stellar speakers, VIPs and guests for this year's 2018 World Chinese Economic Forum (WCEF) in Kuala Lumpur said Tan Sri Dato' Dr Michael Yeoh, Chairman, Organising WCEF Committee and President of the International Strategy Institute (ISI).

The theme for the 2018 WCEF is Towards a common future: Enhancing new opportunities in a changing world and will be held Friday – Saturday, 9 – 10 November at the Palace of the Golden Horses hotel, Kuala Lumpur.

In addition to the Malaysian Prime Minister's address, a further highlight of the two-day Forum will be the presence and unique insights of –

The Hon. CY Leung, Vice Chairman, National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)

The Hon. Lim Guan Eng, Minister of Finance, Malaysia

H.E. Shaukat Aziz, Former Prime Minister, Pakistan

H.E. Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Former President of Indonesia / Advisor to WCEF

This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's Reform and Opening (gaige kaifang), initiated by Deng Xiaoping at the Third Plenum of the Eleventh Central Committee in 1978 said Tan Sri Dato' Dr Michael Yeoh.  "These economic changes were so far-reaching that Deng described them as part of China's 'second revolution' and since then, China has become an economic powerhouse."

"The first of two key objectives of the WCEF is to connect and build bridges between entrepreneurs, government and academia of Asia Pacific, Europe and China.  The second is to bring together and harness the power of the Chinese diaspora that have played a part in China's move towards a higher value add and knowledge intensive economy".

A key topic on the agenda of the 2018 WCEF is China's cities & urbanization – reimaging property development.

It has been predicted that China will account for up to 50% of the smart cities in Asia in a global smart city market that is expected to grow to over $2 trillion by 2025.  Rapid urbanisation is creating environmental and social challenges for cities in China and around the globe.

A number of key issues that will discussed in this session will be how can cities create and deliver infrastructure value whilst creating investor confidence in smart cities?  What are the institutional enablers and what needs to be in place now to serve the current and future needs for sustainable, inclusive and smart cities?

One topic that will be sure to generate interest will be the roles for property developers in building smart cities of the future and how to avoid deepening inequality among marginalized groups.

Tan Sri Dato' Dr Michael Yeoh concluded, "The economic globalisation and trade liberalisation 'genie' has been let out of the bottle and will continue to be the key driver for global economic prosperity.  China's Belt and Road initiative will be at forefront of building of an innovative, open, interactive, and inclusive world economy".

"The Chinese diaspora have long believed that the world is a community" and China's immense presence, modernisation and fulfillment of its economic potential will help better the lives of its people and those of the rest of the world as well.

"Attending the 2018 World Chinese Economic Forum in Kuala Lumpur will facilitate and enhance China working with other nations and sharing a journey that can be of benefit to all".

ENDS

Issued by International Strategy Institute     https://istrategy.global

Media Enquiries:          Mr. Joe Perri
Joe Perri & Associates Pty Ltd
     Telephone/Fax:   +61 3 9324 0362
        Mobile:          +61 412 112 545
        Email:          jperri@joeperri.com.au