Event Details

In an increasingly interconnected and competitive world, global cities like Singapore and Hong Kong are more than just places to live and work—they are dynamic hubs of excellence, striving to attract investment, talent, and innovation. These cities are at the forefront of creating environments that blend attractive market opportunities with robust legal and regulatory frameworks, cutting-edge technological readiness, and world-class infrastructure.


As global talent becomes ever more mobile, liveability has become a critical factor for cities vying for influence and attention. The challenge for these hubs is to offer not only economic advantages but also a quality of life that appeals to professionals from around the world.


We invite you to join us, along with regional business leaders and the Director-General of InvestHK, Alpha Lau for an exclusive Economist Intelligence Corporate Network event: "Centres of Excellence".


This event will feature in-depth assessments of the business environment and liveability of key hub locations in the Middle East and Asia, including Dubai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo. We will draw upon studies such as the "Global Liveability Index" and the "Worldwide Cost of Living Index" to lead the discussion.


What We Will Discuss:

  • How are business hubs like Singapore, Tokyo and Hong Kong adapting to global economic challenges?
  • What strategies are these cities using to maintain their competitiveness in attracting investment and talent? What types of linkages are there between the cities?
  • How do liveability, cost of living, and ease of doing business impact the appeal of these hubs?
  • What role does environmental resilience play in shaping the future of these cities?


Why You Should Attend:

  • Gain exclusive insights into the strategies driving success in leading business hubs.
  • Understand the key factors influencing investment decisions and talent mobility in these cities.
  • Engage with thought leaders and business executives who are shaping the future of global commerce.
  • Discover how cities are navigating the balance between growth, liveability, and sustainability.
  • Network with regional business leaders and experts, including the Director-General of InvestHK, to explore opportunities in Hong Kong and beyond.


Join us as we explore how these cities are navigating the complexities of the modern global economy and what the future holds for the world's leading business hubs.


Please note that this event is limited to senior-level executives and per invitation only. If you are not an existing member of The Economist Intelligence Corporate Network, but would like to learn how you can attend our events, please contact us.

Speakers

  • Alpha Lau (Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK)

    Alpha Lau

    Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK

    Ms Alpha Lau has been Director-General of Invest Hong Kong, the government department responsible for attracting and facilitating direct investment into Hong Kong, since November 2023.

    She serves on the government’s Trade and Industry Advisory Board, Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board, International Business Committee, Air Silk Road Task Force, Task Force on External Relations, Task Force on Promoting Web3 Development, Task Force on Promoting and Branding Hong Kong, Mega Events Coordination Group, and on the Market Development Committee of the Financial Services Development Council.

    Prior to joining the government, Ms Lau held various senior roles in multinational and Chinese financial institutions, with experience in personal wealth and corporate coverage, risk management, fintech, transactional banking and M&A project management.

    Ms Lau holds Bachelor and Master (Hon.) Degrees in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Oxford, and a Certificate in further education from Tsinghua University, Beijing.

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  • Simon Webster (Chief Executive Officer at Vistra)

    Simon Webster

    Chief Executive Officer at Vistra

    Simon is Vistra’s Chief Executive Officer, joining in November 2022.

    He is a Chartered Management Accountant with deep expertise in scaling international, B2B businesses to drive superior shareholder returns. As CEO, he leads the Executive Leadership Team, engaging stakeholders and overseeing the delivery of Vistra’s strategic priorities. A core focus of Simon's leadership is creating value for Vistra's stakeholder communities and helping clients achieve their growth ambitions.

    Before joining Vistra, Simon served as Group CEO of CPA Global (now Clarivate) for 21 years. In this role, he transformed a single-product, 250-person business generating £15m in revenue into the de facto intellectual property industry platform. By 2021, CPA Global had become the clear market leader in every major geography, offering over 20 data, information, software, and tech-enabled services solutions to a global workforce of 3,500+ employees, worth over $7 billion. As Vistra’s CEO, the ambition is, once again, to redefine the category and more than double the value of the business.

    Simon believes in the power of business to be a force for positive change. He sets the direction of the business, vision, strategy, and culture, inspiring people across the organisation to deliver exceptional service and value to clients. He aligns people to the organisation’s purpose to partner with clients as they pursue their growth ambitions.

    Simon is a strong advocate of personal wellbeing across all aspects of life. In 2020, he founded a VC that “invests in happiness” and he believes in the transformative power of sleep, health, fitness, and happiness to drive both professional and personal achievement.

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  • Sumana Rajarethnam (Director, South-East Asia of Economist Intelligence Corporate Network)

    Sumana Rajarethnam

    Director, South-East Asia of Economist Intelligence Corporate Network

    Sumana is a senior policy professional with 17 years of experience. Having worked at several dynamic and vibrant tech firms, Sumana designs and implements policies through advocacy, strategic communication and evidence-based analysis. With a flair for writing and communication, Sumana is able to negotiate complex engagements & cultivate senior-level internal/external relationships.

    Sumana holds a Masters in Public Policy from the University of Michigan, as well as a B.A. in Political Science and Geography from UCLA.

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