About the event:

The CPTPP has been in effect for 5 months after Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, and Singapore ratified the agreement. How have companies responded to the reduction of tariffs across these countries, and where are the ratification processes for the remaining signatories of the CPTPP?

The Partnership also holds promise for countries looking for deepened reform and expanded trade. Thailand, among other countries, has signaled its desire to apply for membership this year. What does this process look like and how will it impact the CPTPP regulatory chapters?

Please join CanCham HK and other co-host organizations for a deep dive update on the CPTPP and how it impacts companies operating in Hong Kong and the region.
 

*Networking session available
*Light breakfast included
 

Organized by the CanChamHK's Policy and Government Relations Committee

Co-hosted by the AmCham Trade & Investment Committee​, Asia Business Trade Association, and Pacific Basin Economic Council

About the speakers:

Catherine Simmons
Head of Government Affairs Asia Pacific at Citi, Hong Kong

Catherine Simmons works with senior management to engage with key policymakers on issues impacting the firm and its clients and leads a team of government affairs representatives in the Asia Pacific. She plays an active role in industry associations including as a Board Member of the US National Centre for APEC and the American Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong and as a member of the US ASEAN Business Council, the Asia Pacific Council of American Chambers, the Asian Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association and the International Swaps and Derivatives Association.

Catherine was also a Diplomat in China, a Research Fellow at Keio University, Japan and a policy advisor in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
She has spoken at leading regional events and has been quoted in the regional and international media.

Stephen Olson
Research Fellow at Hinrich Foundation

Stephen Olson is a Research Fellow at the Hinrich Foundation. Over the course of his 25-year international career, Stephen has lived and worked in Asia, the Middle East, and the United States, holding senior executive positions in the private sector, international organizations, government, and academia.

He began his career in Washington DC as an international trade negotiator, and served on the US negotiating team for the NAFTA negotiations. He subsequently became President of the Hong Kong-based Pacific Basin Economic Council, and Vice Chairman of Cairo-based ARTOC Group for Investment and Development. Currently, he is also a Visiting Scholar at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

About the Moderators:

Steven Okun
President of Executive Committee at Asia Business Trade Association

Steven Okun is the Founder and CEO of APAC Advisors. Steven is a leader on corporate public affairs, sustainability, and stakeholder engagement in Asia Pacific, having lived and worked in Asia for the past fifteen years.

Steven's expertise encompasses business, government, environmental, social and governance issues, media and NGOs. He has been in the center of some of the region's most impactful public and private sector policies, debates and events, including helping lead the business community's call for the US to enter the TPP negotiations, and then for the TPP-11 to come into effect post-US withdrawal.

He was elected three terms each as Chairman of AmCham Singapore and the Asia Pacific Council of American Chambers of Commerce (APCAC), and served on the Council of the Singapore Business Federation and of the Australian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association Limited (AVCAL).

Deborah Biber
Director at Pacific Basin Economic Council

Ms Biber was previously the Chief Executive of AustCham HK & Macau; and was previously a Board Member. She was a key player in the formation of the AustCham Greater Chinainitiative and the development of Australian Business Asia, a group of business organisations across Asia. She was the Chairman of the Judging Panel in the 2016 and 2018 AustCham Westpac Australia-China Business Awards.

Ms Biber has enjoyed a stellar career in all forms of the communications business – Integrated Marketing, Public Affairs, Media Relations and Digital Communications both in Hong Kong, across Asia, the UK and Europe and Australia.

Cancellation policy:

Payment is non-refundable unless the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong cancels the event. If you are unable to attend, cancellations must be received in writing 72 hours prior to the event. No shows will be charged.