Founded 2002; Hong Kong | Headquarters Hong Kong | |
Type Non-Profit Organization Website www.AsiaBusinessCouncil.org | ||
The Asia Business Council was established in Hong Kong in 2002. It was founded by its first Executive Director, Ruth Shapiro, and Inaugural Chairman, Ronnie Chan. They worked with prominent business leaders to create an organization which focuses on sustainable economic growth in Asia. It is an independent organization of top executives, typically from leading Asian companies or multinational corporations with significant Asian operations, who share an interest in the policies needed to ensure the continued economic development and competitiveness of the region. The Council is a membership organization limited to 75 CEOs and Chairmen with operations in Asia.
Contents
The Council's current chairman is Lubna S. Olayan, who is Deputy Chairperson and CEO of Olayan Financing Co. The Council's current vice-chairman is Nobuyoshi John Ehara, who is Partner Unison Capital. Mark Clifford is the Council's executive director.
Mandate
The Asia Business Council was formed by a group of prominent business people and is the first pan-Asian CEO organization. The mission of The Asia Business Council is to:
• Foster dialogue and understanding among Asian and international business leaders
• Improve the efficacy of the private sector in promoting continued economic growth and development in the region
• Be a collective voice to influence other corporations, governments, multilateral organizations and members of civil society
Research
The Council conducts research on specific issues that are important to Asia's future, including green jobs, climate change, corporate social responsibility, and the food and agriculture sector in Asia, energy efficiency, innovation within Asian firms, intellectual property rights, and public-private partnerships. In 2010, the Council's research included containing pandemics and epidemics in Asia and solutions for Asia’s cities. In 2009, the Council's research focused on green jobs and innovation. In 2008, the Council's research focused on corporate social responsibility and the food and agriculture sector in Asia. In 2007 it published Building Energy Efficiency: Why Green Buildings Are Key to Asia's Future. The book was translated into Chinese in 2008.