BT to hold virtual panel discussion on megatrends affecting businesses

Singapore

THE Business Times (BT) is organising two events on global megatrends and their implications for businesses, with property developer GuocoLand as the presenting sponsor.

The first edition of this series, titled Megatrends for the Next Normal, is set to take place on Aug 11 from 10 am to 11.30 am. It will feature OCBC's chief executive Helen Wong, and GuocoLand's chief executive Cheng Hsing Yao in a panel discussion moderated by Genevieve Cua, Wealth editor of The Business Times.

Ms Wong, who has more than 36 years of banking experience, was appointed OCBC's chief executive in April this year. Mr Cheng has vast experience in real estate. Before joining the private sector, he was with the Singapore public service, where he held senior positions at the Centre for Liveable Cities and the Urban Redevelopment Authority.

Key talking points for the panel discussion include the impact of Asia emerging as a global economic powerhouse, shifting demographics and the rise of the middle class, the future of manufacturing, as well as the challenges of climate change and what it means for cities and urban planning.

BT editor Wong Wei Kong said: "The changes brought about by the pandemic will unleash far reaching changes in how we work, play and live. It comes as big shifts take place in society, markets, industry and cities. These are issues we hope to engage our audience on in Megatrends."

Said Guocoland's Mr Cheng: "At this time of uncertainty and business disruption, hearing different perspectives can get us thinking about how we can look at challenges in different ways and come up with solutions that may otherwise not be apparent to us.

"We feel that it is important for businesses to look at the megatrends that have arisen or accelerated since the onset of the pandemic, including how planning and design can make a city more resilient and how cities need to adapt to not only climate change, but changes in the socio-political and socio-economic environment as well."

The second event is planned for later in the year, but details have not been finalised.

The virtual event is open to the public. To register go to bt.sg/reg-megatrends.