The Success Formula in the Global Arena
An appetite for risk and the unknown may not be for everyone, but are second-nature for these overseas business owners who have overcame the odds to achieve success in their home country and globally. What are the opportunities and challenges that they face in their entrepreneurial journey? What can businesses learn from their experience?
Speakers
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Dr Sandy Chong (Session Chair)Principal Consultant, Verity ConsultingA Harvard Alumna and Principal of Verity Consulting, Dr Sandy Chong is the winner of 2020 USA Stevie® International Business Awards for Executive of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year, 2019 Asia’s Top Sustainability Women of the Year, and 2016 Singapore Management Consultant of the Year. With over 15 years’ experience leading international growth, communication and strategic alliance projects worldwide, Sandy has advised governments, trade agencies, international MNCs such as American Express, Yahoo!, Sun Microsystems, and Apple, and businesses to identify opportunities, elevate their positioning, and succeed in new markets. An Adjunct Professor of Curtin University of Technology, she serves on boards in Silicon Valley, Singapore and Australia, and is appointed an International Mentor for the Cherie Blair’s Foundation for Women. A strong advocate of international trade and economic empowerment as pathways to peace and security, Sandy is the first Asian woman to be elected the President of the United Nations Association of WA and is the Chair of the ASEAN Business Alliance in Western Australia.
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Dr Tran Dang KhoaCo-Founder & R&D Director, TRIVIE (Vietnam)
Dr Tran Dang Khoa is the co-founder and research and development director of Tri Viet Agricultural Food Trading Production Company Limited (TRIVIE). The company was officially established on 2 March 2017 in Ho Chi Minh City. Though the company was established a few years ago, the founders had many years of research and direct involvement in the fields of investment consulting, production and processing of agricultural products, which enables them to bring in many manufacturing and trading partners. TRIVIE specialised in producing 60 types of fruit and vegetable powder, dried fruits and fruit juices with the input source of natural fruit, vegetable without flavor, harvested and preliminarily processed from Trivie’s farms around the country. With a closed production cycle, using high technology, Trivie’s products still retain nutritional values such as vitamin, calcium, iron and potassium. Beside fruit and vegetable products, TRIVIE specialised in producing high quality animal feed for cattle, such as Non-GMO corn and grass in the type of fresh, dry and silage. Their foreign partners include countries in Thailand, Cambodia, China, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Ukraine, Belgium, Russia, USA, France and more. Dr Tran Dang Khoa has more than 15 years of experience researching plant tissue culture, plant genetic, postharvest of fruits and vegetables and application of technology in agriculture. He obtained his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the University of Bayreuth, Germany and has profound knowledge of plant genetics, hybrid breeding, phytochemistry and in-depth information about plan-specific genetic cloning, transformation procedures and cloning techniques.
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Nutthanai NinekBusiness Development Manager | 2nd Generation, Tropicana Oil (Thailand)
Tropicana Oil Co.,Ltd. was established in 2004 by Nutthanai Ninek’s father, Suradej Ninek. The elder Mr Ninek first started Tropicana Oil Co.,Ltd. after the failure of a footwear company due to the economic crises in 2000. The company has since grown to become the leader of coconut oil and coconut cosmetic products in Thailand. Being the second generation of managing the family business, Nutthanai is no stranger to every process and step of the business from picking the finest coconut to produce organic virgin coconut oil, baby care products, and facial and oral care products. To help the family business to grow and expand the line of cosmetic products, Nutthanai went ahead to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Cosmetic Science Program from Mae Fah Luang University. With his expertise, drive for the business, and support from his team, the company has since developed almost 100 SKUs cosmetic products from coconut oil and export them to nearly 20 countries.
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Owen ChenGroup Chief Executive Officer, Neurogine Group (Malaysia)
Owen Chen is the co-founder and current Group Chief Executive Officer for Neurogine Group, which comprised seven techfins specialising in the digitalisation of mobile banking, mobile payment and digital asset solutions.
The Group has a market footprint across Asia Pacific, North America and Europe, serving primarily financial institutions. The Group is headquartered in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia with presences in Cambodia, Hong Kong, and operates offshore in Labuan, Malaysia’s premier international offshore financial centre, several fully regulated and licensed entities, including a Labuan licensed money broking operations with Payment System Operator (PSO) status and a Labuan licensed credit token operations.
The Group’s technology stable includes Neurogine nTrade®, an Artificial Intelligence driven multi-routing, multi-pairing money broking platform, Neurogine nCard®, Near Field Communication (NFC) and token service payment platform and Neurogine nPay®, a cross-border multi-currency mobile payment platform. Clients include Tier 1 banks like Vattanac Bank Ltd in Cambodia and CB Bank Ltd in Myanmar.
In March 2021, UK-based investment company, Hadigy Ltd, acquired a 30% stake (1.929 million ordinary shares) of Neurogine for USD10 million through Malaysian Investment Development Authority’s Domestic Investment Coordination Platform.
Owen has more than 20 years’ experience in large-scale implementations and operating research and development environments for multinational and listed companies. He is an electrical and software engineer specialist, graduated Arkansas State University with a BSc. in Electrical Engineering, an Associate Member of Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers and Certified Anti-Money Laundering & Counter Financing of Terrorism Compliance Officer. He is a member of the esteemed Asia Pacific Region Scout Foundation which supports youth development and worthy causes. He is also the recipient of Megat Panji Alam Medal (Gold), in recognition of his support for Tengku Muhammad Ismail Scout’s Camp in Terengganu, Malaysia. -
Tony JapeGroup Managing Director, Dili Development Company (Timor Leste)
Tony Jape has over 30 years experience in the retail industry. He has successfully operated independent retail stores and various franchise businesses including Mitre 10 Hardware and Betta Electrical. Tony is currently based in TimorLeste, moving there to restart the group’s business operation in TimorLeste in 1999. He managed Leader Supermarket for five years before moving on to oversee Dili Central’s operation which include Timor Plaza, Timor Plaza Hotel & Apartments and the Central Business Districts (CBDs). Tony also manages the company’s joint venture projects with overseas investors including construction, retail, hospitality and other industries.
