Deep understanding of Asean is key to seizing opportunities: panellists

[SINGAPORE] Contrary to popular belief, China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) consists of more than just large-scale, infrastructure projects, and Singapore can be an effective partner for China to enter the region if it plays its cards right, said Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing on Monday.

"The Chinese are looking to invest in Asean and many other parts of the world in non-infrastructure projects - we should not miss that opportunity," he added.

He was speaking as a panellist during a discussion at The Business Times Leaders' Forum, attended by almost 300 business leaders in Shangri-La Hotel.

For 11/2 hours, Mr Chan and fellow panellists Liew Mun Leong, chairman of Changi Airport Group and Surbana Jurong Private Limited; Alexis Lanternier, CEO of Lazada Singapore; Ho Meng Kit, CEO of Singapore Business Federation (SBF); and Tan Soon Kim, assistant CEO of Enterprise Singapore, spoke on the challenge…