Press releases
Deloitte serves as the exclusive Intellectual Supporting Partner for Boao Forum Asia 2018
Published: 26 January 2018
The 2018 Boao Forum for Asia's (BFA) Annual Conference will be held in Boao, Hainan, from 8-11 April, with the theme of "An Open and Innovative Asia for a World of Greater Prosperity". Since 2005, Deloitte has been the sponsor of the BFA. As the sole intellectual supporting partner this year, Deloitte will leverage the firm's globally pioneering development ideas, professional network of resources, and comprehensive range of industry experience to provide high-quality input for the BFA regarding topic selection and program development.
This year, the four-day forum will designate four areas for discussion, including "Globalization & the Belt and Road Initiative", "An Open Asia", "Innovation", as well as "Reform". There will be 60 discussion sessions in total, with symposiums centered on the Guangzhou-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, infrastructural development in the Xiongan Area, and strategies for pursuing an ecological civilization.
"The BFA is a conference endowed with much social, economic and political gravitas, and Deloitte is incredibly proud to serve as its intellectual supporting partner," stated Patrick Tsang, Deloitte China CEO. "The Boao Forum provides an invaluable platform for government, corporate and academic leaders to exchange their views and insights, and Deloitte China looks forward to once again supporting and contributing this year."
This year, Deloitte will continue to moderate roundtables for business executives to share their insights into a wide range of topics, such as the ways MNCs in China adapt to the changing market, the economic, regulatory and social conditions required to foster entrepreneurship in China etc. In previous years, such roundtables achieved commendable attendance and received positive feedback from senior business leaders. Additionally, Deloitte will also spearhead the production of the pre-conference report which will provide insights and analyses on topic business issues.
"We are excited about the focus on openness and innovation this year," added Tsang, "as they present a twin pillar that will uncover unprecedented opportunities in the global market and propel the Asian economy into the next stage, especially as digital transformation reimagines the way we've always understood and conducted businesses in every industry. New areas of exploration such as blockchain, AI and e-commerce will prove ripe topics for discussion."
On 25 January 2018, the Secretariat of the Boao Forum for Asia held a press conference in Beijing to present updates on the preparation progress of the upcoming annual conference, as well as to address questions raised by journalists. Lily Sheng, Managing Partner of Brand & Communications, Deloitte China, was present at the panel. She expressed that "Deloitte is very honored to be the intellectual supporting partner of this high-level business and economic forum for the 14th consecutive year. 2018 marks the 40th anniversary of China's Reform and Opening Up, which bears special significance for Deloitte as the firm enters into our second-century journey in China. On behalf of Deloitte, I sincerely hope to carry on and deepen our strategic partnership with the Boao Forum, as we contribute to driving the sustainable development of the Asia Pacific economy and witness together even more remarkable achievements ahead."
