Event - 08 September 2021

UK Asia Pacific Digital Trade Event

On 21 September, Hawksford’s Dario Acconci will be participating in the UK-Asia Pacific Digital Trade Event organised by techUK. The event will bring together UK and Asia Pacific technology industry representatives, thought leaders as well as government stakeholders.

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The APAC region plays an important role in establishing the UK’s global leadership in digital trade. The region is home to Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand - countries breaking ground in digital trade with the Digital Economy Agreement and Digital Economy Partnership Agreement - and is home to some of the fastest growing digital markets and tech ecosystems in the world.

The importance of Asia Pacific economies has been made central to UK’s international trade strategy. With 65% of the world's middle class set to be in the Asia Pacific by 2030 and ASEAN’s potential to enter the top five digital economies in the world by 2025, it is important for UK tech business to start building commercial networks in these fast-growing markets.

The event will focus on how both regions can work together in areas of digital trade policy and tech innovation, what opportunities new digital trade partnerships will bring to tech businesses and how to overcome challenges when growing tech business in the APAC region. 

Event details

Date:  21 September 2021
Location:  Online
Time:   8.30am – 10.30am BST

Meeting Agenda 

Welcome & Opening Address

Julian David, CEO, techUK

8.30 - 8.40

Keynote address: The future of UK-Asia Pacific digital trade

Natalie Black, Her Majesty's Trade Commissionerfor Asia Pacific, Department for International Trade

8.40 – 8.50

Panel I: UK-Asia Pacific: Ambitions and opportunities in digital trade policy. What is in it for businesses?

The APAC region plays an important role in establishing the UK’s global leadership in digital trade. The region is home to Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand - countries breaking ground in digital trade with the Digital Economy Agreement and Digital Economy Partnership Agreement - and to some of the fastest growing digital markets and tech ecosystems in the world, highlighting the importance of the region as a forum for establishing global digital trade rules.The launch of UK-Singapore DEA negotiations further highlights UK’s digital trade ambitions in the region. With digital restrictions being the fastest-growing trade barriers, digital economy agreements open up opportunities to establish clear and harmonised interoperability rules and create easier access for exporters to overseas markets.

The panel will discuss the opportunities of developing world-leading standards for digital trade with countries across Asia Pacific and explore what new digital trade partnerships the UK is seeking to forge will bring to tech businesses.

  • Oriel Petry, Director, Technology and Advanced Manufacturing, Department for International Trade
  • Stephanie Honey, Deputy Executive Director, APEC Business Advisory Council and Director, Honey Consulting Ltd
  • Jeremy Lilley, UK Government Affairs Manager, RELX Group
  • SabinaCiofu, Head of EU and Trade Policy,techUK (Chair)

8.50 - 9.25

Panel II: Expanding your tech business to Asia Pacific

With the Asia Pacific region on track to account for20-30% of global revenue for technology companies in the next two decades and ASEAN’s potential to enter the top five digital economies in the world by 2025, it is important for UK tech business to start building commercial networks in these fast-growing markets. Despite this, only few UK-based tech businesses have taken full advantage of what the region has to offer, with many tech businesses choosing to prioritise more familiar markets.

We will explore emerging export tech opportunities for UK tech businesses, potential challenges tech businesses face when scaling up and the ways to successfully grow tech business in the region.

  • Chris Bush, Regional Director, Asia Pacific Digital Trade Network, Department for International Trade
  • Dario Acconci, Managing Director of Southeast Asia, Hawksford
  • Andrew Lambert, CEO, Electronic Media Services

9.25 - 10.00

Panel III:UK-Asia Pacific collaboration on tech and innovation

The UK and Asia Pacific share a passion for innovation, vibrant tech ecosystems and fast-developing start-up scenes. At the same time, both regions face many common challenges of the future, such as the constructive use of emerging tech, meeting net zero targets and managing the welfare of an ageing society.

The panel will explore which emerging technologies offer new opportunities for collaboration and how businesses and governments can work together to drive innovation to address some of these challenges.

  • SzeKi Sim, Executive Director - Community & Brand, SGInnovate
  • Alistair Marsden, Director, Nova Growth Capital

 

10.00-10.30

Close

10.30

 

UK Asia Pacific Digital Trade Event

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