Bloomberg supports inaugural ASEAN Investment Forum with “Investments for Sustainable Development” as focus

Bloomberg today announced it is collaborating with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the ASEAN Secretariat, the Ministry of Investment of Indonesia and the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) to host the inaugural ASEAN Investment Forum on 2 September 2023 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Entitled ‘Investments for Sustainable Development’, the Forum will highlight select investment opportunities in different sectors around the region for foreign direct investors.

According to the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF), a consolidated exit strategy from the COVID-19 pandemic – which took a significant economic toll on many ASEAN economies – will require foreign direct investment (FDI). Attracting and retaining FDI is integral to boosting economies and the continued recovery of the region.

Confirmed delegates at the Forum include H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary General of ASEAN, H.E. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of ESCAP, Nivruti Rai, President of WAIPA, H.E. Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of Investment/Chairman of Indonesia Investing Coordinating Board.

“It’s easy to think of the world as being somehow through the pandemic,” said Nitin Jaiswal, Head of APAC Government Relations at Bloomberg. “However, the recovery process is something that requires continued attention and resources, including FDI geared towards sustainable development. In that light, we are proud to work with ESCAP, WAIPA, ASEAN and Indonesia on the ASEAN Investment Forum.”

“As the largest economy in Southeast Asia and an increasingly attractive destination for foreign investment, Indonesia is a fitting venue to host this important event,” Mr. Jaiswal said.

“There is thus much promise for tapping FDI for sustainable development, as well as much urgency – given estimates that additional annual investments of at least $1.5 trillion are needed by developing countries in the region to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Mobilizing these resources effectively, requires a shift in investor practices to investing for social and environmental impact, beyond profit. Governments can promote this shift by building ecosystems conducive to impact investing and by orienting towards investors and projects focusing on sustainable development sectors. Forums like this are an important platform for showcasing such projects,” said the Executive Secretary of ESCAP, Ms. Alisjahbana.

“WAIPA strongly acknowledges ASEAN’s exceptional potential to emerge as a paramount global investment hub. We support the Forum’s dedicated emphasis on sustainable development, a tenet that harmoniously resonates with WAIPAs global strategy. The noteworthy accomplishments of ASEAN in fostering cross-border collaborations to attract FDI underscores the capacity for collaborative growth. The steadfast commitment of the region to sustainable expansion not only accentuates its attraction for investors pursuing strategic avenues but also exemplifies a profound testament to its significance on the international stage,” said the President of WAIPA, Ms. Rai.

As part of Bloomberg’s support of this event, it will act as official host for the Ministerial dinner being held as part of the Forum. Bloomberg is the exclusive external partner for this event.

For more information and registration, please visit:
https://forms.office.com/e/WVTCQEqWYC

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About United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is the most inclusive intergovernmental platform in the Asia-Pacific region. The Commission promotes cooperation among its 53 member States and 9 associate members in pursuit of solutions to sustainable development challenges. ESCAP is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations.

The ESCAP secretariat supports inclusive, resilient and sustainable development in the region by generating action-oriented knowledge, and by providing technical assistance and capacity-building services in support of national development objectives, regional agreements and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

About the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies
The World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) was established in 1995, as an Association under Swiss law, WAIPA represents over 130 Members from investment promotion communities around the globe with the dedication to assist and support them through a wide range of activities and events to build their capacity to attract investment. We support capacity building, world-class training, access to research and data, policy development and strategies advice, and more. Our members’ FDI development is the key vision that we work towards.