Financial Times - First Metro Philippines Investment Summit
20 May 2015 | Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Manila #FTPhilippines
 
20/05/2015
1:15 pm - 1:50 pmRegistration
1:50 pm - 2:00 pmWelcome Remarks from Financial Times and First Metro
David Pilling, Asia Editor, Financial Times

2:00 pm - 2:25 pmMinisterial Keynote
Cesar Purisima, Finance Secretary, Republic of the Philippines
2:25 pm - 3:05 pmPanel Discussion – Panel Discussion: The Challenging Road to ASEAN Integration
As host of APEC and a key player in ASEAN integration, the Philippines is well positioned to positively influence regional economic growth, but there remain a number of challenges. International trade and investment continue to be impacted by global currency movements and other market volatility. Separately, the economic and political cohesion that the proposed ASEAN Economic Community aims to bring about could have a negative impact on some ASEAN economies, at least initially. How will individual member states benefit from the single market in the longer term, and how will this enable the region to strengthen its economic independence? What progress is being made on the harmonisation of different tax systems across ASEAN? Are member states willing to make tariff cuts and lift trade barriers? What steps must be taken by Asia Pacific economies to ensure APEC initiatives around economic sustainability and job creation are achieved? How may future free trade agreements amongst APEC members benefit regional economies?

Don Hanna, Managing Director, Asia, Roubini Global Economics

3:05 pm - 3:50 pmKeynote Address
James Robinson, David Florence Professor of Government, Harvard University, & Author, Why Nations Fail
3:50 pm - 4:10 pmNetworking break
4:10 pm - 4:35 pmCentral Bank Keynote
Amando Tetangco, Jr., Governor, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
4:35 pm - 5:15 pmPanel Discussion – Bank Liberalisation and Financial Markets Integration
The ongoing liberalisation of the banking sector in the Philippines has the potential to boost competitiveness and market access, and encourage greater foreign direct investment ahead of the ASEAN Banking Integration Framework (ABIF) set for 2020. The entrance of large foreign banks will drive up standards in terms of regulation, products, services and the consumer experience. Full local access to overseas banks will help increase capital expenditure in the Philippines and enhance the economy. However, some local banks may not have the scale to compete. Can they survive in the face of heightened foreign competition and M&A activity? With the entrance of more foreign banks, what new products and services will enter the marketplace, and what improvements might investors and retail banking customers expect to see? Following bank liberalisation, how well positioned is the Philippines to move towards the ABIF compared with its ASEAN counterparts?

Roberto Juanchito Dispo, President, First Metro Investment Corporation
Tim Leissner, Chairman, South East Asia, Vice Chairman, Investment Banking Asia Ex- Japan,Goldman Sachs

5:15 pm - 5:55 pmPanel Discussion: Embracing Market Disruptors to Drive Growth
In anticipation of the ASEAN Economic Community coming into force, the Philippine government is taking steps to strengthen local industries by improving governance and business transparency, enhancing competition, and simplifying tax and regulatory requirements – particularly for small enterprises and start-ups. The World Bank predicts that economic growth could surpass 6.5 percent in 2015 if the government fully utilizes its budget as planned, implements proposed infrastructure projects, and accelerates reforms. But the private sector will be instrumental in enabling the Philippines to compete on the international playing field. Firms must be prepared to embrace major market disruptors, from regional demographic changes and evolving consumer trends across ASEAN, to global and industry-wide trends in e-commerce, social media, data and other digital developments. How can firms in the Philippines tap into emerging trends in consumer demand across the region? What are the benefits for corporates of embracing technological change, and how will this impact growth and competitiveness? What must the private and public sector do to accommodate the growing demand for online and mobile offerings?

Koen Thijssen, Co-CEO, Asia Pacific Internet Group

5:55 pm - 6:05 pmClosing Remarks
Roberto Juanchito Dispo, President, First Metro
6:05 pm - 7:05 pmCocktail Reception