Embracing Asia's rise in the global economy
 

Ivey lecture on international business focuses on post-recessionary changes

 

LONDON, ON, November 20, 2009 - Asia is already an important player in the global economy and will become even more so as the economy emerges from recession.

As a Pacific nation, Canada is positioned to benefit from Asia's rise, but only if it acts assertively, acknowledging it can no longer rely on the security of the U.S. market.

At next week's Ivey Idea Forum, Yuen Pau Woo, Chief Executive of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, will discuss changing Asian practices as a result of economic crises and the implications for Canadian companies.

His presentation, "After the Crisis: Canada and the Rise of Asia in the World Economy," will be held on November 25 at the ING Leadership Centre and will be the inaugural Donald L. Triggs Lecture in International Business. Woo will discuss innovative ways to adapt to economic crisis, Asia's move toward fewer exports and more inter-country developments, and the growing influence of India and China.

"The prospect of the Canadian economy emerging from recession is encouraging, but it is also worrisome if mindsets don't change. The biggest danger is to assume the world is the same as it was before the economic downturn," Woo said. "There will be a shift in global economic weight away from the U.S. and Europe, to China and India and that will have an impact on trade, investment and business."

According to a recent Asia Region Report from the Economist Intelligence Unit, economic growth for both Greater China and South Asia is expected to exceed 6 per cent in 2010, compared to the U.S. at less than 1 per cent.

The Donald L. Triggs Lecture in International Business is an annual lecture on international business made possible through a donation from Ivey Business School alumnus Don Triggs.

Paul Beamish, a professor of international business and Donald L. Triggs Chair in International Business, Ivey Business School, will host the lecture. As the Triggs Chair, he is responsible for developing innovative research and teaching materials in international business.

"As the world becomes more global, it is critically important for Canadian business people, executives and students alike to recognize the changing environment," Beamish said. "We need to enhance our international competitiveness and embrace international opportunities. We are grateful to Donald L. Triggs for his contributions to help position Canadian business leaders to prosper in this international economy."

"Knowledge about international business, especially how to do business in emerging economies, will help Canadian businesses to compete," said Donald L. Triggs, an Ivey alumnus and former president and chief executive of Vincor International. "This annual lecture is geared to give business people critical knowledge to help them succeed in an increasingly competitive global business environment."

Event: Donald L. Triggs Lecture in International Business featuring Yuen Pau Woo
Location: Ivey ING Leadership Centre, The Exchange Tower, 130 King Street West, Toronto, Ontario
Date: Wednesday, November 25
Time: 8 a.m.

The event is part of the Ivey Idea Forum: A Cross-Enterprise Leadership Series, which provides executives, Ivey alumni, business students and prospective students with guest speakers and events to develop cross-enterprise leadership thinking on key business issues.

For more information, please visit: The Ivey Idea Forum Web site

Media interested in attending, please contact Dawn Milne at 519-850-2536, dmilne@ivey.ca

 

About APF Canada
The Asia Pacific Foundation is an independent resource for Canadians on contemporary Asia and Canada-Asia relations. As a national not-for-profit organization established by an Act of the Federal Parliament in 1984, the Foundation brings together people and knowledge to provide the most current and comprehensive research, analysis and information on Asia and on Canada's transpacific relations. It promotes dialogue on economic, security, political and social issues, helping to inform public policy, the Canadian public and Canada's Asia practitioners. The Foundation is funded principally through an endowment from the Government of Canada and by corporate and individual donors.

 

About the Richard Ivey School of Business

The Richard Ivey School of Business at The University of Western Ontario (www.ivey.ca) offers undergraduate (HBA) and graduate degree programs (MBA, Executive MBA and PhD) in addition to non-degree Executive Development programs. Ivey has campuses in London (Ontario), Toronto, and Hong Kong. Ivey recently redesigned its curriculum to focus on Cross-Enterprise Leadership - a holistic issues-based approach to management education that meets the demands of today's complex global business world.

 

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For more information, please contact:
Dawn Milne, Richard Ivey School of Business, 519-850-2536, dmilne@ivey.ca