SCG and ASEAN business leaders run towards 2015

Organised by Thailand Management Association from February 27-29, the forum with “Advancing Together towards 2015” theme attracted the participation of 500 attendants who are top executives and investors from the South East Asian region and ASEAN Secretariat.

The forum created a platform for ASEAN businesses as well as their global counterparts to share experiences, discuss capabilities and preparation for ASEAN business towards ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) 2015 and collaborate in building a sustainable and competitive ASEAN business community.

ASEAN Business Forum 2012 had intense sessions heading for the sustainable development of AEC as a whole in many aspects including: leadership, financial market, supply chain and infrastructure. Joining the SCG as panelists were leaders of leading businesses and organisations such as Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia, EU-ASEAN Business Council, ASEAN Federation of Textile Industries and ASEAN CSR Network.

As one of leading business conglomerates in ASEAN, SCG participated in the forum and shared its experiences in both corporate governance and business sustainable development. With the vision of being ASEAN sustainable business leader, SCG emphasised marketing, research and development as the crucial factors to help the company increase competitiveness and trust in the regional and international markets.

Moreover, SCG also decided to continue with the two core strategies originated in 2006, focusing on high value added products and going locally in terms of both assets and human resources.

“ASEAN is heading into a period with more challenges but also promising. We have many opportunities to grow and transform into the economic hub of the world so this time is crucial for us enterprises to prepare ourselves, to transform challenges into great opportunities, by learning and collaborating with each other,” said Kan Trakulhoon, president and  CEO of SCG.  

“The forum has given me and other business leaders a chance to discuss and find the most suitable pathways for ASEAN companies to grow sustainably, taking advantage of an association sharing the same belief and vision.

“SCG is proud to have a chance to raise our voice as well as to observe valuable sharing of our fellows. SCG is and will be continuing our commitment in building a sustainable ASEAN community,” he added.

SCG comprises five core businesses -  SCG Chemicals, SCG Paper, SCG Cement, SCG Building Materials and SCG Distribution.  With more than 200 companies under its umbrella and 35,000 employees across ASEAN, SCG creates and distributes innovative products and services that respond to the current and future needs of consumers.

The group began its regional expansion with Vietnam as its strategic hub in 1992. Currently, SCG has 15 operations in Vietnam with more than $330 million in total assets, $300 million in sales and trading volumes, and employs more than 2,100 local employees.  SCG is also working on a project in partnership with Vietnam’s state-run PetroVietnam, Vietnam National Chemical Corporation and Qatar Petroleum International to build a $4.5 billion petrochemical complex in southern Vietnam.

ASEAN Business Forum was first hosted by the Board of Trade of Thailand, Thailand Management Association, and the Thai Institute of Directors Association in Bangkok in 2009.

The event is aimed to be an annual event where ASEAN business leaders meet to update and share insights among themselves, how the progress of the AEC roadmap affects their businesses, what adjustments and changes they will need to adopt in response to the changing business landscape towards 2015, and what pending issues they should be addressing.