Ayala to keynote BusinessWorld economic forum
• With the continued pace of digital transformation, there is a louder call for businesses and the economy to embrace digital further. By using technology and tackling barriers that hinder digital adoption, the Philippine economy can hasten its recovery and become more resilient.
The conversation on building the digital economy continues as BusinessWorld, the country’s
leading business newspaper, holds the Business World Virtual Economic Forum, with the theme “The Digital Economy PH: Towards a Faster Economic Recovery.”
During the two-day online forum slated for May 26 and 27, business leaders, policymakers and economic experts weigh in on digital transformation and its impact to the economy.
Fernando Zobel de Ayala, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Ayala Corp, will deliver a keynote address on the first day of the forum with the topic “Accelerated by the Pandemic: Digital Transformation as the Way Forward.”
From serving as president and chief operating officer of one of the country’s largest conglomerates, Zobel de Ayala took over as president and CEO in April 2021. He is also the board chairman of Ayala Land Inc., Manila Water Co., and AC Energy Corp.; and sits on the board of various companies in the Ayala group, including Bank of the Philippine Islands, Globe Telecom Inc. and Ayala Foundation.
Meanwhile, Bernadette Nacario, country director of Google Philippines, will deliver her keynote speech on “The Emerging New Economy: New Skills, Jobs, and Business Tools” on the forum’s second day. Kais Marzouki, chairman and CEO of Nestlé Philippines, will also deliver his keynote on the topic “From Brown to Green Economy: Is the Philippines Ready?”
Furthermore, the first day of the forum will hold several talks expounding on digital transformation, digital payments and the digital divide.
At the first panel discussion with the topic “Digital Transformation for a Better Normal,” the panel will include Anthony Oundjian, managing director and senior partner of Boston Consulting Group; Martha Sazon, president and CEO of GCash; and Miko David, president and co-founder of David & Golyat.
The second panel discussion, “Bridging the Digital Divide,” will gather insights from Andrés Ortola, country general manager of Microsoft Philippines; Shailesh Baidwan, president of PayMaya; and Kevin Chua, senior economist at World Bank.
There will also be fireside chats on “Digitalizing the Philippine Economy Now” with Rosemarie Edillon, undersecretary for national development policy and planning at National Economic and Development Authority; “The Philippines’ Digital Payments Transformation Roadmap” with Mamerto Tangonan, deputy governor for payments and currency management sector at Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas; and on “2021 Digital Transformation Trends.”
The forum’s second day will take a deep dive on relevant trends, with discussions on the most recent developments that are expected to stick in a digital economy.
A panel discussion on “A Blueprint for the Hybrid Office: How Workplaces Will Evolve” will have Elizabeth Fuller, Southeast Asia head of growth at WeWork; Michael McCullough, managing director at KMC Savills Inc.; Carol Torres-Mills, head of Ayala Land Offices; and Christophe Vicic, country head of JLL Philippines, in the panel.
For the panel discussion on “Effective Convergence of Physical & Digital: The Omni-Channel Retail Experience,” confirmed panelist is Rosemarie Ong, president of the Philippine Retailers Association.
At the fireside chats, Mark Tom Mulingbayan will be interviewed about “Building Brands through Sustainability and Purpose.” Denis Hew, director of the Policy Support Unit at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, will share his thoughts on “Helping SMEs Survive and Thrive through Digital Tools: An APEC Perspective.”
Alongside these discussions that will be held at a virtual plenary hall, virtual exhibits will be staged at the exhibit hall, and a networking lounge will be open for business networking.
Registration for this online forum is now open. Grab your chance to avail yourself of early bird rates and head on to www.bworldonline.com/BWVEFDigitalPH to learn more about this awaited event in the business scene.
All paying attendees will receive a free copy of the latest issue of BusinessWorld In-Depth digital magazine while premium attendees will also get a free printed copy of the latest BusinessWorld Top 1,000 Corporations in the Philippines magazine.
BusinessWorld Virtual Economic Forum Special Edition is presented by BusinessWorld Publishing Corp.; with copresenter GCash; gold sponsor Globe; silver sponsors Ayala Group of Companies, BPI and FWD; bronze sponsors BDO, First Gen Corp., PAGCOR, PayMaya., SGV & Co. and SM Investments Corp.; official TV partner OneNews; media partner The Philippine STAR; partner organizations Asia Society-Philippines, British Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Management Association of the Philippines, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Philippine Franchise Association.
For inquiries and sponsorship opportunities, call BusinessWorld marketing at 85359901 or e-mail marcom@bworldonline.com.