Agenda

2023 Indo-Pacific Business Forum

All times are in Japanese Standard Time (JST) and Eastern Standard Time (EST)

All times are subject to change

Pre-Forum Activities

Tuesday, January 10, 2023 – Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

09:00 JST
(19:00 EST, January 9, 2023)

IPBF Virtual Platform Opens

Virtual attendees are encouraged to log in to update their profile, review the navigational instructions, and peruse the virtual platform including the exhibit booths so they are ready to participate on January 12, 2023. Support will be available via email.

Wednesday,  January 11, 2023

All Day

IPBF Virtual Platform Open

Virtual attendees are encouraged to log in to update their profile, review the navigational instructions, and peruse the virtual platform including the exhibit booths so they are ready to participate on January 12, 2023. Support will be available via email.

Indo-Pacific Business Forum Program

Thursday, January 12, 2023

08:00 JST
(18:00 EST, January 11, 2023)

Virtual Networking Hour

Virtual attendees are encouraged to join the virtual IPBF platform at this time to network with other attendees, visit the exhibit hall and review the resources available for download and viewing. Live support is available.

08:00 JST
(18:00 EST, January 11, 2023)

Live from the Virtual Exhibit Hall! 

Visit the USTDA Booth 

USTDA 101: Project Preparation Tools

U.S. Trade and Development Agency will present an overview of the agency’s project preparation tools to support Indo-Pacific infrastructure projects.  U.S. firms and potential project sponsors are encouraged to join this informational session.

8:00 Meet and Greet

8:10 Presentation and Question & Answer 

08:45 -09:00 JST
(18:45 -19:00 EST, January 11, 2023)

Break

09:00 JST
(19:00 EST, January 11, 2023)

Opening Ceremony

  • Enoh T. Ebong, Director, U.S. Trade and Development Agency
  • Ambassador Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Embassy in Tokyo
  • Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State, U.S. Department of State
  • Yoshimasa Hayashi,  Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan
  • Gina M. Raimondo, Secretary of Commerce, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Yasutoshi Nishimura, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan
  • Shigeru Hayakawa,  Vice Chair of the Board of Councillors, Chair of the Committee on U.S. Affairs,  Keidanren

09:40 JST
(19:40 EST, January 11, 2023)

Keynote

 

  • Ambassador Katherine Tai, United States Trade Representative, Office of the United States Trade Representative

09:45 JST
(19:45 EST, January 11, 2023)

Session 1:  Expectations and Future Prospects for Indo-Pacific Economic Framework

 

This session will be an opportunity for U.S. and Japanese chief negotiators to give updates on the latest Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) discussions between all 14 partners. The negotiators can discuss IPEF, what it will mean for businesses, and talk about expectations for negotiations moving forward. What is the IPEF vision, and where and how can the private sector engage?

Moderator:

  • Matt Murray, U.S. Senior Official for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, U.S. Department of State

Panel:

  • Nora Todd, Acting Senior Director for International Economics and Labor, National Security Council
  • Sarah Ellerman, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific (Acting), U.S. Trade Representative
  • Sharon H. Yuan, Counselor and Chief Negotiator, Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, Office of the Under Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Takanari Yamashita, Senior Negotiator, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan

10:30 JST
(22:30 EST,January 11, 2023)

Keynotes

 

  • Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of Transportation, U.S. Department of Transportation
  • Scott Nathan, Chief Executive Officer, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)
  • Tadashi Maeda, Chairman, Japan Bank for International Cooperation and Special Advisor to the Cabinet of the Government of Japan

10:50 JST
(20:50 EST, January 11, 2023)

Session 2:  Business Roundtable:  Building Economic Resilience in the Indo-Pacific Region

 

This session will focus on the opportunities and challenges for economic resilience.  Under Secretary Fernandez will highlight U.S. efforts to improve supply chain resiliency, including implementation of new USG funding under the CHIPS and Science Act, and ways we are balancing the U.S. economic relationship with the PRC.  This will be a chance to discuss the latest initiatives impacting the private sector, and the Under Secretary will ask business leaders to speak directly to their concerns and perceived areas of opportunity for governments’ action. 

Moderator:

  • Jose W. Fernandez, Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, U.S. Department of State

Panel:

  • Yulia Toyokawa, Managing Executive Officer, MUFG Bank
  • Toshiaki Tanaka, Representative Director, Executive Vice President, Executive Officer, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
  • Victor Osumi, Managing Director and President of Japan, Delta Airlines
  • Hans Klemm, Japan Representative, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)

11:30 – 11:45 JST
(21:30 -21:45 EST, January 11, 2023)

Networking Break 

 

Virtual attendees may:

  • Visit the exhibit hall booths
  • Network and chat with other attendees
  • Watch videos
  • Gather resources
  • Live support available

11:45 JST
(21:45 EST, January 11, 2023)

Announcement of Upcoming Projects and Initiatives in the Indo-Pacific

 

Malaysia: Sarawak Energy Berhad Digital Transformation Roadmap Technical Assistance

Remarks:

  • Enoh T. Ebong, Director, USTDA
  • Datu Sharbini Bin Suhaili, CEO, SEB
  • Tomas TerBush, President, EPRI International

Philippines: NOW Telecom 5G Network Deployment Feasibility Study

Remarks:

  • Enoh Ebong, Director, USTDA
  • Mel Velarde, CEO, NOW

12:15 JST
(22:15 EST, January 11, 2023)

Keynote

 

  • Reta Jo Lewis, President and Chair of the Board of Directors, Export-Import Bank of the United States

12:20 JST
(22:20 EST, January 11, 2023)

Session 3:  Cooperation in the Digital Sector

 

This session will focus on the theme of digital connectivity, dealing with key areas for secure communications, such as 5G/Open RAN, submarine cables, and data centers.  Specifically, it will share recent initiatives and findings on Open RAN from Japanese businesses, address initiatives in the Indo-Pacific region by U.S. government and businesses,and discuss the outlook on digital infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific region. 

Moderator:

  • Hiroshi Yoshida, Vice-Minister for Policy Coordination, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan (MIC)

Panel:

  • Mayuko Tatewaki, Senior Vice President, NEC
  • Stephen Lang, Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of State
  • Eric Handa, CEO & Co-Founder, APTELECOM
  • David Katz, Managing Director of Public Affairs, Asia Pacific, KKR

13:05 -13:50 JST
(23:05 – 23:50 EST, January 11, 2023)

Lunch Break

 

Virtual attendees may:

  • Visit the exhibit hall booths
  • Network and chat with other attendees
  • Watch videos
  • Gather resources
  • Live support available

13:55 JST
(23:55 EST, January 11, 2023)

Session 4:  Clean Energy and Climate Resilience for Small Island States

 

The small island nations of the Indo-Pacific face unique challenges in attracting the investments needed to meet their clean energy, decarbonization, and climate adaptation goals. How can public and private interests come together to overcome these challenges and find profitable models to expand investment in these markets, particularly in the critical areas of solar deployment, distributed energy resources, microgrids, and energy storage? The session will include a mix of government and private sector speakers to discuss lessons learned from ongoing work, where and how government support can make projects bankable, and where the region may head in the next decade.

Moderator:

  • Afreen Akhter, Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of State

Panel:

  • Nicholas J. Davis, CEO, Gridmarket
  • Julinette Bayking, Senior Financial Advisor, Papua New Guinea Electrification Partnership
  • Dr. Lakmal Fernando, Managing Director, Regen Renewables
  • Hazeen Ashby, Deputy Chief of Staff & White House Liaison, Export-Import Bank of the United States

14:40 JST
11:40 Bangladesh Standard Time (BST)
00:40 EST

Session 5: Mobilizing Infrastructure Investment in Bangladesh and the Indo-Pacific Region

Live from Dhaka, Bangladesh

 

Infrastructure is critical to driving a society’s productivity and prosperity.  When done well, infrastructure connects workers to good jobs; allows businesses to grow and thrive; facilitates the delivery of vital services; creates opportunities for all segments of society, including underserved communities. How can Bangladesh and other countries position themselves to attract high-quality public and private sector financing for infrastructure projects? What factors should nations consider when deciding which types of projects and financing options to pursue? How can governments and societies ensure projects meet the needs of their citizens? 

Remarks:

  • Donald Lu, Assistant Secretary Bureau of South and Central Asia, U.S. Department of State
  • Ambassador Peter Haas, U.S. Embassy in Dhaka
  • Ambassador Kiminori Iwama, Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh

Moderator:

  • Mehnaz Ansari, Senior Regional Representative for South Asia, U.S. Trade and Development Agency

Panel:

  • Sharifa Khan, Secretary, Economic Relations Division, Bangladesh Ministry of Finance
  • Rubaba Dowla, Country Manager, Oracle Bangladesh
  • Towfiqul Islam Khan, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD)
  • Myung-Ho Lee, President, Japanese Commerce and Industry Association in Dhaka; Country Representative for Bangladesh, Mitsubishi Corporation

15:25 – 15:40 JST
01:25  – 01:40 EST

Networking  Break 

 

Virtual attendees may visit the exhibit hall booths

  • Network and chat with other attendees
  • Watch videos
  • Gather resources
  • Live support available

15:40 JST
14:40 Philippine Standard Time (PHST)
01:40 EST

Session 6: Building Resilient Semiconductor Supply Chains for Semiconductors and Critical Minerals in the Indo-Pacific

 

Live from Manila, Philippines

 

U.S. Embassy Manila is organizing a panel to highlight the Philippines’ experience growing the country’s successful semiconductor sector and discuss efforts to strengthen supply chains within the country and across the region. Philippine Secretary of Finance Benjamin Diokno will open the session, after which a panel comprised of Philippine government and industry experts will discuss ways the public and private sectors can collaborate to boost supply chain resilience and support sustainable economic growth.

Remarks:

  • Ambassador MaryKay Carlson, U.S. Embassy in Manila
  • Dr. Benjamin Diokno, Secretary, Philippines Department of Finance

Moderator:

  • Dr. Dan Lachica, President, Semiconductor and Electronic Industries in the Philippines, Inc.

Panel:

    • Alfredo Pascual, Secretary, Philippines Department of Trade and Industry
    • Jose Ma. Clement “Joey” Salceda, Representative, Philippine House of Representatives
    • Jacqueline Briones Badoo, Site Manager, Teradyne Cebu
    • Ambassador Delia Domingo Albert, Former Philippines Secretary of Foreign Affairs

 

16:30 JST
02:30 EST

Session 7:  Charting the Year Ahead: U.S. and Japanese Leadership in APEC and the G7

 

The final session will be forward-looking, taking all of the economic priority areas covered during the morning and early afternoon and putting them into the 2023 context.  Senior officials from the United States and Japan will talk about the respective countries’ APEC and G7 host years and areas of overlap and cooperation. This will be an opportunity tie together overall U.S. and Japan economic priorities in the Indo-Pacific and showcase the vision for the region’s economic future.

Moderator:

  • David Katz, Managing Director of Public Affairs, Asia Pacific, KKR

Panel: 

  • Akihiro Okochi, Deputy Director-General, Economic Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
  • Matt Murray, U.S. Senior Official for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, U.S. Department of State

17:05 JST
03:05 EST

Closing Remarks

 

  • Akihiro Okochi, Deputy Director-General, Economic Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
  • Enoh T. Ebong, Director, U.S. Trade and Development Agency