The 2009 HKMA Annual Conference was successfully held on 18 November 2009 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and attracted over 360 senior executives. The Conference brought together prominent business and community leaders who shared with participants their invaluable insight under the theme of "Revitalizing Competitiveness".

Dr The Hon David K P Li, Chairman of the Association in his Opening Address pointed out Hong kong has weathered economic crises in the past, and has always emerged stronger and more competitive. However, the present crisis is different. This crisis has changed the landscape of the global economy. The questions is "Are we ready to take advantage of the new opportunities unleashed by the financial tsunami?

Mr Michael Lee, Chairman, Conference Organizing Committee; and Director, Oxer Limited addressed participants mentioning that the latest Global Competitiveness Report by the World Economic Forum reveals that several Asian economies are slowly climbing up the ranking, such as Taiwan and India. Hong Kong remains no. 5 while Singapore climbs up to the top 3. Obviously, other than sustaining our close connection to the economies of the West and China, Hong Kong must review its position and strategy amidst the emergence and growing significance of the booming Asia.

The list of distinguished speakers who attended the conference included the following.

SESSION 1: CAN ASIANS THINK?

Session Chairman
Mr Clement Kwok, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, The Hong Kong & Shanghai Hotels Limited

Speaker
"Can Asians Compete?"
Prof Kishore Mahbubani, Dean and Professor in the Practice of Public Policy, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore

SESSION 2: COMPETING IN A COMPETITIVE WORLD

Session Chairman
Mr Clement Kwok, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, The Hong Kong & Shanghai Hotels Limited

Speakers
"Enhancing Competitiveness in the `New Normal`"
Mr Dominic Barton, Worldwide Managing Director, McKinsey & Company

"Management of Innovation in East Asia"
Prof Arnoud De Meyer, Director, Judge Business School, University of Cambridge

"Understand, Design, Create and Manage - 4 Steps to Revitalization"
Mr Po Chung SBS OBE JP, Co-founder, DHL Asia Pacific, Chairman Emeritus, DHL Express (Hong Kong) Limited

LUNCHEON
Speaker
"Arming Yourself for Life", Mr Simon Murray CBE, Chairman, GEMS Ltd

SESSION 3: THE WINNING MODELS (PANEL DISCUSSION)

Session Chairman
Mr Steve Marcopoto, President, Turner International Asia-Pacific Limited

Panelists
Mr Maximilian Ma Yung Kit MBE, Chairman, Lee Heng Diamond Group

Ms Louisa Wong, Founder and Group Managing Director, Bo Le Associates

Mr Michael Wu, Chairman and Managing Director, Maxim`s Caterers Limited

SESSION 4: WAYS TO EXCELLENCE

Session Chairman
Mr T C Chu, Director, McKinsey & Company

Speakers
"Operating In A Competitive and Dynamic Environment"
Dr Allan Zeman GBS JP, Chairman, Ocean Park Corporation

"Making Tracks"
Dr Raymond Ch`ien GBS CBE JP, Chairman, MTR Corporation Limited

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