Synopsis
For decades, businesses operated on the assumption that markets would become more integrated, supply chains more efficient and trade more open. That assumption is now being tested with the dismantling of the rules-based global trading order. Economic security, industrial policy and geopolitical competition are reshaping where companies invest, who they partner with and how they think about risk. As Europe strengthens its strategic industries and ASEAN becomes an increasingly important partner, this discussion asks what these shifts mean for business, where the biggest risks and opportunities lie, and whether a new model of competitiveness is beginning to emerge. This panel will bring together senior business leaders to explore:
- How strategic industries are evolving in an era of geopolitical fragmentation.
- What de-risking means in practice, and how it is changing investment, supply chains and industrial partnerships.
- How digital disruption, cybersecurity and emerging technologies are reshaping economic security and business resilience.
- How businesses can build long-term strategies that balance competitiveness, resilience and sustainable growth in an increasingly uncertain world.
Programme
03:30 pm Registration opens
04:00 pm Welcome Remarks by Mr Anand Stanley, President and Head of Region, Airbus Asia- Pacific
04:10 pm Opening remarks
- Mr Jens Rübbert, President, EuroCham Singapore
- Mr Philipp Dupuis, Head of the Economic and Trade Section, European Delegation for Singapore
04:20 pm Remarks by Mr Zaqy Mohamad, Acting Minister in-charge of Muslim Affairs, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Defence
04:35 pm Launch Ceremony
04:45 pm Panel Discussion “The New Boardroom Agenda: Why has economic security become a business issue?” moderated by Mr Andrew Staples, Editorial Director, Asia at Fortune
- Mr Jingxin Zheng, Vice President and Head Mobility, Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB)
- Mr Mrinal Jain, Senior Director, Category Sourcing, ASM International
- Mr Sami Salokangas, Vice President, Engineering & Manufacturing Sector, Asia Pacific, DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation
- Mr Zakir Hamid, Head of Region, Airbus Defence & Space
05:20 pm Live Q&A
05:30 pm Networking
06:00 pm End of event
Speakers
Mr Jingxin Zheng
Vice President and Head Mobility
Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB)
Mr ZHENG Jingxin oversees EDB’s engagements with companies and industry development efforts in the mobility sectors – aerospace, advanced air mobility and automotive.
Prior to this appointment, Jingxin spent 4 years (2021 to 2024) in New York, USA, leading EDB’s investment promotion efforts in North and South America. His sectors of coverage include Aerospace, Agriculture, Consumer Goods, Digital, Semiconductors, Healthcare, and Industrials, and fostering geo-strategic partnerships with business thought leaders, global think-tanks and the US Administration.
Before that, Jingxin served in various roles within EDB, including Regional Director (Amsterdam) overseeing investment promotion efforts for Benelux region, Head of Transport Engineering overseeing investment promotion efforts for aerospace, marine and offshore, and oil and gas equipment and services, Head of Europe Desk which fostered economic cooperation and investment flows between Europe and Singapore, and Head of Business Environment team responsible for policy-making to strengthen Singapore’s business competitiveness through the review, enhancement and governance of a suite of value propositions.
Jingxin started his EDB career with the Aerospace division. He has a Bachelor of Engineering Degree (Aerospace Engineering) from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. He is married with one child.
Mr Mrinal Jain
Senior Director, Category Sourcing
ASM International
Mrinal Jain is a procurement and supply chain leader with nearly 20 years of experience in the technology industry across Singapore, India, and the United States. Throughout his career, he has held leadership roles spanning Category Sourcing, Contract Manufacturing, Demand and Supply Management, Supply Chain Governance, and IT Quality Assurance, building a broad foundation in both strategic and operational aspects of global supply chains.
Based in Singapore for over 16 years, Mrinal currently leads the Contract Manufacturing Category Sourcing team at ASM International, where he is responsible for driving sourcing strategy, supplier partnerships, and manufacturing resilience across a global supply network. His areas of expertise include Strategic Sourcing, Supplier Relationship Management, Business Continuity Planning, and Supply Chain Risk Management.
Mr Sami Salokangas
Vice President, Engineering & Manufacturing Sector, Asia Pacific
DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation
Sami Salokangas is Vice President, Engineering & Manufacturing Sector, Asia Pacific at DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation. He leads DHL’s Engineering & Manufacturing sector across the region, overseeing strategic relationships with some of the world’s leading engineering and manufacturing companies while fostering collaboration and alignment across DHL’s global industry network.
With 26 years of international experience at DHL, Sami has held leadership roles across Asia, helping customers navigate increasingly complex supply chains and evolving market demands. A native of Finland, his career has included assignments in China, and he has been based in Singapore for the past 22 years. His extensive regional experience and deep understanding of the manufacturing landscape make him a trusted advisor to customers seeking growth, resilience, and innovation in their supply chains.
Mr Zakir Hamid
Head of Region
Airbus Defence & Space
Zakir “Zak” Hamid is Head of Region, Asia Pacific for Airbus Defence and Space since 1st September 2023.
Previously, Zakir was Managing Director of the Airbus Asia Training Centre (AATC), the flagship and largest pilot training centre in the Airbus global network. He joined Airbus in July 2019 as Head of Singapore and Brunei for Airbus Defence and Space. Prior to joining Airbus, Zakir served as a distinguished military aviator.
Zakir graduated valedictorian from James Madison University with a BSc (Honours). He holds an MBA in Aviation and is a Certified Aviation Management Professional (AvMP).
Moderator
Mr Andrew Staples
Editorial Director, Asia for Fortune
Founder of GeoPol Asia
Dr Staples is the Editorial Director, Asia, for Fortune, and Founder of GeoPol Asia, a boutique
geopolitical advisory company. He was previously the Editorial Director and Head of Policy & Insights (APAC) at Economist Impact, the custom research and engagement division of The Economist Group. In this role he represented the business on the global stage and led a team of researchers, analysts and editors across Asia. He was formerly the Global Editorial Director of The Economist Corporate Network (ECN)—the Economist Intelligence Unit’s briefing and advisory service designed to help senior business leaders understand and navigate complex business environments. Prior to his move to Singapore in 2016 Andrew was the ECN director, North Asia, covering Japan and South Korea from Tokyo.
Andrew is a seasoned public speaker who brings clarity on complex issues in today’s rapidly changing world. He is highly experienced in briefing senior executives, delivering keynote presentations and chairing closed-door roundtables. Combining subject matter expertise with world-class professionalism, he is also much in demand as a moderator appearing at major business conferences and corporate events around the world. He also regularly appears in the international business media (BBC, CNN, CNBC, and Channel News Asia). Andrew has a PhD in International Political Economy and an MSc in East Asian Business, both from the University of Sheffield, UK. Before joining The Economist Group, Andrew pursued an academic career holding both tenured and adjunct posts at leading universities and business schools in Japan and the UK. He has published widely and major publications include Responses to Regionalism in East Asia: Japanese Production Networks in the Automotive Sector published as part of the Palgrave Macmillan Asian Business Series and popular textbooks including Asian Business and Management. Andrew was also previously a Senior Editor for the internationally peer reviewed journal Asian Business and Management. Dividing his time between Singapore and Japan he also serves as an Associate Fellow (Geo-economics and strategy) at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) and sits on the advisory board of the Hinrich Foundation.
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