Sharing the experience of building CIMB as the first truly ASEAN bank, ASEAN Business Club & CARI, and a lot of interest in the ASEAN community

I reflected on my two chosen fields of academic study, politics and economics, and my experiences while running a business in Malaysia and the ASEAN region.

I have been asked to share my experiences in growing CIMB as an ASEAN universal banking group from its humble origins as a Malaysian investment bank.

The banking industry is facing a perfect storm. Banks everywhere have to recalibrate their business models to survive and thrive again, without a clear picture of what lies after the storm has passed.

I am always keen to share my perspectives of ASEAN, the regional integration project that has had a large presence in my career over the last 15 years.

Under the 4th Industrial Revolution, we face massive disruption. We need to reform our ASEAN institutions to get ahead of these changes and respond at a regional level.

The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) has become reality, an important milestone in the long and winding road to the economic integration of ten ASEAN economies.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is a massive game changer, as were the three other revolutions before it. There is so much to be gained or lost - endangered most are those who chose to do nothing. 

For ASEAN to successfully navigate the 4IR, we must understand what that means for regional integration, and the role ASEAN can play to help its companies and people withstand and exploit the 4IR.