Eye on Asia

Held on Oct 31, the Eye on Asia forum was an inaugural joint venture between the Institute of Directors NZ (IOD), NZ Asian Leaders (NZAL) and the Superdiversity Centre for Law, Policy and Business, aimed at deepening a working knowledge of cultures and factors influencing business success in India and China.

Facilitated by Mai Chen, CMInstD, Founder, and Chair of the Superdiversity Centre, NZ Asian Leaders and David Jackson, CFInstD, Director, Fonterra, the forum provided deep insider knowledge from those doing business in the China and Indian markets.

Providing this expertise, was a top line up of NZAL members who through their deep experience have insider knowledge of the Indian and Chinese markets. Issues included, understanding tax regulations to government machinery and digital growth in India. On the Indian business panel, Sameer Handa, CMInstD, Director, Deputy Chair, NZAL,Chandan Ohri, Managing Partner – Global Business Services, IBM  and Jay Changlani, Director, Account Icon. Ziena Jalil, MInstD, Partner, SenateSHJ presented a case study on her experience of working within the education sector in India.

The second session on  China capability included the China panel, Terry Lee, Managing Director, Milk NZ Ltd, who spoke about the investment and partnership opportunities in China and what the most recent 19th Communist Party Congress means focusing on President Xi Jinping’s three and half hour speech, Lisa Li, Managing Director, China Travel Services explained the Belt and Road initiative, Dr. Xiaoying Fu, MInstD shared insight into  innovation, growth and future growth industries and Leon Fung, General Manager, Winston Nutritional Ltd spoke about his experience on understanding the Chinese client and consequently the market. The case study was presented by Gavin Yang, Managing Director, Trademonster on the growing e-commerce market in China.