PBEC's Podcast

We are joined this episode by Anson Chan Chairman and CEO of Bonds Group of Companies.

A respected Hong Kong businessman, Mr. Anson Chan has accumulated a variety of management and investment experience. Bonds Group of Companies owns both commercial and residential properties in prime locations of Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Britain, Canada, USA and Singapore. Before joining his family business, Mr. Chan was an associate director in the proprietary investment group of Nomura International, the Japanese leading investment bank, from 2000 to 2004, and of AIG Investment Corporation from 1998 to 2000. He was responsible for developing new investment opportunities and business relationships in Greater China.

In addition, Mr. Anson Chan is a seed investor and director of the Evenstar Fund Management Co., which manages an Asia-focused hedge fund with assets under management of US$100 million. From 2005 to 2008, he also served as a senior advisor to Elliott Associates, which is a U.S. based activist investment fund with assets under management in excess of US$7.5 billion. He recently co-sponsored an IPO of a SPAC on Nasdaq which successfully raised US$200 million for targeting  fast-growth companies in the new economy sector, such as sizeable FinTech and PropTech companies. 

Areas we talk about on this episode:

04-08 Mins -  Anson provides a global and regional view on the state of the markets – referring to the Goldilocks Economy period.

09-10 Mins – World Economy scenario back to the 1970’s, tipping point on a changed view on China by the perceived West.

11-13 Mins – Discuss China, authoritarianism v perceived democracy Governance, the G2 China and US, Obama administration period of when it started to change.

14-16 Mins – When President Xi came to power in 2012 and then Trump in 2016, China became more assertive, BRIC’s, Belt and Road initiative to compete.

16 Mins  - Ukraine/Russia conflict, President Putin and the affect on Asia.

17-20 Mins – Bringing it back to Hong Kong and the One Country/Two Systems policy. Its continued role and importance as a IFC.

21-26 Mins – The fear for Japan if there is another Asian Financial crisis, Anson predicts it will start with Japan, with some political strife between factions within the Democratic ruling party.

27-29 Mins  - Western sanctions, energy market and commodities crisis and Japan & Europe’s predicament having sided with the US against Russia. China will likely be the beneficiary. Germany mining coal again.

30-31 Mins – Saudia Arabia importing crude oil from Russia, brokering the same crude to sell it on at a higher price.

32- 33 Mins – Idealism tempered with pragmatism is what the US and the Western nations need to resume to considering.

34 -40 Mins – Anson shares his experience in Chinese-Taipei’s domestic economy having visited the country and claims its humming. Investment areas to consider.

41-43 Mins – Disintermediation – from the shopfront store to online store.

43- 44 Mins  - One sector still not disrupted by change overtime is the banking sector, in particular commercial banking.

45 – 49 Mins – AI, 5G under Proptech and blockchain technology – giving examples of how digital online firms competing with the traditional brands. A review on real-estate and housing crisis in places like Hong Kong.

50-53 Mins – Increased scrutiny on Chinese and SAR investors on listed firms in the USA by the US Financial market. Board and shareholder requirements for SPAC’s etc…. Target companies from the funds raised cannot be invested into China either.

54 Mins - Who are the winners of the decoupling, less scrutiny and less time required, Chinese Taipei, South Korea, Indonesia and Singapore are four target markets for investors.

55 Mins  - Chinese regulation on foreign firms operating in Mainland China.   

55-58

Anthony Chan CEO of Isola Capital a Private Investment, an Asset Management and Family Office Platform founded by a group of shareholder families from Asia and Europe shares his huge depth of knowledge and expertise on a broad range of investment related topics. If you enjoy the latest finance matters and receiving investment tips then this is an in-depth and honest look at how multi-family offices operate and which sectors, products they are currently focusing their attention on. Isola Capital was recently awarded ‘A Caring Company’ in 2022. They have just launched their Fund 7,  a co-investment together with the Hong Kong Governments Innovation and Technology Venture Fund (ITVF), a USD2 Billion fund investing in local innovation and technology and HK start-ups. 

In this episode of the Value Prop I get to ask Anthony about their PE, VC, direct investments to alternative investments, private credit, digital assets products and strategies and the different push and pull factors between Singapore and HK. We discuss the merits of both and why both cities looking ahead are playing an increasingly important destination role for accessing capital markets and expertise. Anthony is a true leader in his field and its another fantastically insightful episode brought to you by PBEC. The race is on in this important and fast growing sector to serve the region’s wealthiest families and Isola already have an impressive jump on many of its competitors, in this episode you get to see why.  

“Hong Kong with its international status plus the cross-border Wealth Management Connect scheme in the Greater Bay Area offers further opportunities for Isola to develop asset management and wealth management services in Hong Kong, focusing on international and local family offices and UHNW investors that seek sustainable solutions. We also believe the proximity to Mainland China and the leading capital markets of Hong Kong ensure that the venture capital eco-system will continue to grow exponentially, and we are committed to investing further to participate in this development.” Anthony Chan CEO Isola Capital.

Disclaimer: PBEC is not a financial advisor or licensed to provide investment advice. All content shared in this episode are opinion-based and in confidence that the listener is able to make up their own minds.

Miguel Aboitiz is back as our co-host for this episode of the ‘Value Prop’ with Co-Founders Gabriel Benito and Miguel Bernas of NEXPLAY™ a regional esports ecosystem and technology start-up. We hear from both founder about Nexplay’s product offering and strategy in this episode, their latest developments in creating a unique esports ecosystem for players, coaches, sponsors and gaming fans in the Asian region. They share how they manage players profiles, influence and engage with the fanbases through tailored events, to have become commercially viable and attract multiple brand sponsorship deals already. Currently they are busily raising capital, in the middle of a Series A. So if anyone listening and is interested in this area, they can get in touch with PBEC directly. It will likely close by early June.

“The Jerry Maguire school of player management for the Esports industry in Asia.” www.nexplay.gg

Gabriel Benito kicks things off talking about his baby NEXPLAY™, being seen as an Entrepreneur, CEO & Co-Founder. NEXPLAY™ is the Ultimate Gaming Technology & Esports Ecosystem for Next-Generation Gamers. Gabriel is focused on transforming and revolutionising the whole gaming ecosystem across connected touch points from entertainment, communications, content delivery, stream technology, e-commerce, media and games distribution. He has led Nexplay to be one to the top esports brand and ecosystem in SEA, amassing over 800m viewership monthly, and a total of 200m fan base in just 3 years. 

We then hear from Miguel Bernas is President & Co-Founder of NEXPLAY™. Miguel is a veteran executive and business leader, with over 25 years of global media industry experience, having worked with some of the world’s best-known media brands such as television networks MTV, CNBC, Singapore’s Mediacorp, and digital media pioneer Yahoo! He has also led marketing teams in global and the Asia Pacific roles at Nokia, Singtel and PayPal.

In between our co-hosts Miguel Aboitiz and Michael Walsh ask the questions that we all want to know which results in another compelling and educational episode of the Value Prop.

PBEC is not a financial advisor or licensed to provide investment advice. All content shared in this episode are opinion-based and in confidence that the listener is able to make up their own minds.

We invited the Founder and Eco-warrior Rob Davenportof TaKe Lifestyle and TaKe Foundation, a purpose led brand focused on producing eco-friendly table and kitchenware products that are utilising Bamboo as a key raw material that it grows within urban cities in its overall production process. Their unique BAAS (Bamboo as a Service) concept enables Corporates, SME’s and Individuals to invest in making cities like Hong Kong a cleaner place to live, by off-setting carbon emissions with bamboo production. TaKe are doing their bit to prevent climate change while creating deep cultural roots through its educational programmes to ensure the next generation of densely populated urban cities across Asia, are aware of how to make a positive difference on the environment. We sat with Rob to talk us through where they are currently in attaining his objectives and what exciting developments he has planned to TaKe the firm in the near future.

Working together to make Hong Kong a cleaner place to live.  TaKe the first step today.  Small changes add up to a huge difference.

In this episode our normal host Michael Walsh returns to talk to Manuel Quindmil, an Argentinian Trade Lawyer based in Lima, Peru. He is an expert in government relations with over 30 years of experience focused on WTO and free trade agreements. He shares his views on US/Latin America’s traditional trade relationships but shares the challenges the region still faces with upskilling its workforce to meet the needs of multinational firms. There are perhaps more opportunities for SME’s to succeed faster, but he emphasises the importance of investing in local relationships and finding the right partners. Annabella Matute – A lawyer with experience in civil law and common law systems, (The USA, Latin America and the UK) Legal and business advice in trade UK-Latin America, construction law in the commercial sector and the extractive industries joins us. Annabella shares her views on the importance of cultural understanding in order to successfully conduct business in Latin America. Lots of opportunities for technological savvy firms in multiple sectors, that can assist in improving services and the daily lives of the general public. Annabella stresses the global misconceptions don’t help and passionately argues the importance of appointing the right expertise to assist firms seeking to shift their supply chain to a member state in Latin America. The ability to speak Spanish and communicate your brand in Spanish as well as taking the time and investment to train the locals you will be hiring, are key factors for successful and sustainable businesses in Latin America built on trust and a mutual understanding. All countries in Latin America require huge investment into its existing roads, smart logistics and public infrastructure, issuing green bonds is just one source which certain states are utilising, but attracting increased DFI from UK/Europe and the rest of Asia Pacific is an ongoing challenge for many, as we exit this covid pandemic but now face other global economic challenges with rising inflation, energy shortages, war in Europe and the cost of food.

PBEC hosts together with its supporting partners from MEXCHAM HK, Chile Chamber of Commerce HK & Singapore Chamber of Commerce HK a discuss on the benefits of the recently signed FTA agreement between Singapore and the PA – Pacific Alliance. We hear from two Government representatives from the Pacific Alliance Member States in Mexico and Chile including H.E. Ambassador of Mexico to Singapore. Joining us on this episode as well are representatives from the Singaporean Government Ministry of Trade and Industry and leading Singaporean public corporation in ST Engineering who are already present and conducting business in Latin America. Carolina shares her thoughts on the opportunities for SME’s and large Singaporean companies can take advantage of, from these deepening trade ties.

Guest Moderator for this Episode:

Basil Hwang
Vice Chairman (Moderator)
@Singapore Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong SAR

Panellists:

Alejandro Buvinic
National Coordinator of the Pacific Alliance
@Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chile

Denise Pereira
Director of Latin America
@MTI – Ministry of Trade and Industry Emerging Markets Division, Singapore

H.E. Agustin Garcia Lopez
Ambassador of Mexico in Singapore
@Government of Mexico

Carolina Garcia
Director International Business Development – Urban Solutions
@ST Engineering, Singapore

This month we catch up with PBEC Board Member Luis Miguel Aboitiz who previously served as a Director of Unionbank and as Executive Vice President – Chief Strategy Officer of Aboitiz Group, before his retirement on April 30, 2020. He was also Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer – Corporate Business Group of AboitizPower from 2016 to 2018, and Senior Vice President-Power Marketing and Trading from 2009 to 2015. Miguel is currently a Director of Aboitiz Power Corporation, a Director of ACO, and a member of its Board Strategy and Succession and Compensation Committees. He serves as Chairman of Unionbank’s Technology Steering Committee and member of the Audit and Operations Risk Management Committees and also serves as a Director of DDLS Aboitiz Inc. and Trustee of Philippine Business for Social Progress. Miguel graduated from Santa Clara University, California, U.S.A. with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering, and earned his Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of California in Berkeley, U.S.A. 

Areas we discuss:

• The recently completed Jera Co Inc acquisition of a 27% stake in Aboitiz Power at the end of 2021 marks a new phase in the Companies energy mix development to reach 50:50 Thermal to Renewables by 2030. Jera Co Inc is one of the largest importers of Liquid Natural Gas in APAC and Miguel shares what this link-up means for the group and the Philippines in realising their transformation moving ahead together with Japanese expertise onboard. 

The increased energy capacity coming on-stream for industrial locators & further development seems to support many Japanese firms already in Philippine Economic zones and Industrial Parks. Miguel shares his perspective on attracting further DFI interest and in particular more Japanese firms to locate to the Philippines to serve ASEAN and perhaps the RCEP trade agreement. 

We also talk about the state of the Philippines labour market, ongoing challenges that seem to be common issues facing employers and leaders in Asia but also the increasing trends in increased demand for outsourced resources in administration/accounting/customer service and marketing, coming to the Philippine call-center market sector and hybrid work from home remotely resources available in the Philippines.

The conversation shifts to tackling some of the inherent society issues such as new technological advancements, need for innovation and skills in digitalisation and IT support.

Miguel shares some of the recent trends & operational risks he has observed over the past year, and as the Philippine economy starts to reopen in this election year. 

In Miguel’s role as director of DDLS a joint venture with Edventure Co & Aboitiz Impact Ventures, he shares what this partnership is doing and the demand they are witnessing as well their further strategic plans. 

Towards the end of the interview Miguel shares some insights into his role at PBSP- Philippine Business for Social Progress and the great work they are achieving, where he is an active Trustee. 
• Finally Miguel shares 2 predictions for our audience on the year ahead and in 2023.

A PBEC hosted webinar bringing together experts and commentators in their respective fields on regional Supply Chain Transparency in the Asia Pacific.

We assembled an expert panel of academics and senior executives to this dialogue discussion on supply chain transparency and traceability. We hear some invaluable insights, takeaways and latest trends in supply chain relocation data provided by Professor Neale O'Connor. Anson Bailey of KPMG moderates and extracts recommendations from each of the panelists. We witnessed alot of probing questions from the delegates which witnessed an engaging dialogue discussion on this subject matter. 

Tackling Scope 3 decarbonization in one's downstream supply chain is a major challenge for business leaders and leading brands and will take time. But taking no action is no longer acceptable.

Speakers:
Professor Dr. Neale O'Connor FCPA Head of Department Accounting @Monash University Malaysia

Professor Dr. John Kent Senior Fellow Director of Supply Chain China Initiatives at the Sam M. Walton College of Business @Bush China Foundation & University of Arkansas

Anson Bailey Head of Consumer & Retail, ASPAC / Head of Technology @KPMG China & PBEC Director

Lindsey Hermes Head of Enterprise Solutions @Serai by HSBC

Rob Davenport Founder & CEO of TaKe Group & TaKe Foundation

Host: Michael Walsh PBEC CEO

Alessio Botta – Senior Partner at McKinsey Digital in Milan, Italy (Expertise in digital transformations, artificial intelligence, payments and global transaction banking)

Alessio provides a detailed executive summary of the report’s findings from running extensive research, taking a demographic approach, talking to owners who are exporters.

Understanding their needs and pain points in the value chain as the starting point. They identified the trade finance gaps and the impact Covid-19 has had on global supply chains.

 Discussing how the report came about, the recommendations the report has summarised for policymakers, identifying the issues and opportunities as well as next steps.

This forms part of PBEC – Pacific Basin Economic Council Dialogues Week 2021 from 22-26th Nov.

PBEC CEO Michael Walsh sits down with Dr. Frank-Jurgen Richter for a discussion about life in general. We hear about what inspired him to create Horasis a global monster for business leaders and politicians/royalty even to interact and discuss the key topics affecting the world and looking to the future. 

We also look ahead to Horasis Asia Virtual Meeting 2021 which PBEC heavily supports and we also learn about some of Frank's strategic plans for Horasis in 2022 and beyond as we come out of this pandemic and physical events start to return globally. He is very much in the hybrid camp, by investing and utilizing the latest technologies to enhance the delegate's and speaker's experiences going forward as well as the all-important networking. Sit back and relax as we hear from one of the most energetic guys I know in business circles- a serial global networker. Enjoy!