24 August 2021

About ASEAN  

ASEAN’s importance as a market is growing. It is now New Zealand’s fourth largest trading partner. In 2020, despite Covid-19 disruptions, New Zealand’s exports to the region were valued at $7.7bn NZD. In particular, the markets of Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam remained strong throughout 2020, while Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand all offer opportunities for future growth. The food and agriculture sector remains our leading export product category, while services such as logistics and other digital industries are fast growing in the area. 

Let’s Talk ASEAN 

SEA CAPE’s two–hour webinars on “Let’s Talk ASEAN” involve a panel of 3 speakers providing an overview of the economies of the ASEAN region, cultural insights into these markets, with a key businessperson sharing experience on conducting business with and in ASEAN. These webinars will introduce entrepreneurs, founders and business managers to the marketplaces of South East Asia. The webinars will be led by Siah Hwee Ang, Professor of International Business and Strategy, Chair in Business in Asia and Director of SEA CAPE at Victoria University of Wellington. 

Professor Siah Hwee Ang is the Director of the Southeast Asia Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence.

He is also Professor of International Business and Strategy and the inaugural Chair in Business in Asia at Victoria University of Wellington. In these roles, Siah works closely with various stakeholders and companies on their strategies in Asia and Asia’s engagement in New Zealand. Beyond publishing in international top journals and an expert in strategy, competition and international business, Siah is Senior Editor of Strategy, Institutions and Research Design of the Journal of World Business, a leading international business journal, and sits on various editorial boards of international top tier journals over the years. In New Zealand, Siah sits on the national assessment panels for New Zealand Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Asia, Prime Minister’s Business Scholarships, and Marsden Fund. Before joining Victoria University of Wellington, Siah was Professor in Strategy and Associate Dean Postgraduate and International (Asia) at the University of Auckland Business School, a research fellow at Cass Business School, City University in London and the National University of Singapore, where he completed his PhD in Management. Siah is Visiting Professor to a few Asian universities. He writes frequently in the media.

Ziena Jalil – Independent Director | Strategic Consultant | Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advocate

Ziena is a keynote speaker, facilitator and commentator on a range of topics including Asia business, diversity and inclusion, nation branding, leadership and politics. She consults on strategy and stakeholder engagement, and is a board member of Manukau Institute of Technology, Unitec, DNA Design, and the Cancer Society Auckland Northland.

A New Zealand Women of Influence awards finalist (Board & Management, and Global categories), Ziena was also recognised by Campaign Asia Pacific as part of its 2020 Women to Watch, a group of 40 outstanding women in the Asia Pacific. She has received several international awards for her work promoting New Zealand trade and education in Asia, while in the roles of Regional Director (South & South East Asia) for Education New Zealand, New Zealand Trade Commissioner to Singapore, and Head of North Asia Marketing and Communications for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

Ziena has helped some of New Zealand’s largest businesses build their reputation and revenue, advised Ministers, and worked at the grassroots supporting the growth of Māori and Pacific young people in professional careers. She

Kenneth Leong – Private company investor/director

Kenneth has over 20 years’ experience in corporate finance and international business, with a long history of working with businesspeople from Southeast Asia and China. He was Chairman of ASEAN New Zealand Business Council (2017-2021) and a Trustee of the Auckland Foundation (since 2016). Kenneth is also a KEA World Class New Zealander (since 2015). He started his career as a corporate finance advisor at Deloitte in Auckland, and subsequently joined the investment banking team at Macquarie.

Kenneth is now director-shareholder of several private businesses in education, retail and health technology, including:
• MEO, the award-winning face mask designer, manufacturer and exporter, with manufacturing facilities in Auckland and Xiamen (China)
• Omni Tech, the largest mobile phone accessories and repairs retail chain in New Zealand, with 29 stores nationwide.
• Euroasia, a specialist language and cultural education provider, servicing government agencies and corporates.

As Director at Tiaki Capital, Kenneth advises senior business people and high net worth investors, utilising his networks, multi-lingual and business development skills to facilitate succession planning, business exits, acquisitions and investment.