Asia – the fastest growing economy in the world with its surging population to hit 65% of the world population by 2020 has rapidly developing into a mega market.

According to ESCAP, China has been the No.1 trading partner to ASEAN since 2009. Bilateral trade between China and ASEAN members reached US$472.16 billion in 2015; with an annual growth rate of 18.5%. Over the same period, India’s trade with ASEAN members hit US $100 billion in 2015, and is expected to reach US $200 billion within a decade; while its trade with China also soared to US $71 billion in 2015. With the growing importance of intra-regional trade in Asia, the establishment of integrated cross-border transport networks play a critical role and is moving at a high pace.

Similarly to China’s ambitious One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative - a concept introduced by PRC President Xi Jinping in 2013, the economic effect to be generated by the establishment of the Asian integrated cross-border transport network that connecting Europe in the far West to America in the far East through Asia as the centre hub in the future is incalculable. Regional collaboration is in calls for massive investment and development of these trade routes in the region.

The hosting of the inaugural Asia Transport Networks Summit 2017 is to provide an interactive platform for the industry stakeholders to

• Understand the Advantages and Investment Arena of the Regional Transportation Networks Initiatives

• Explore and Assess Investment Opportunities on the Asian Regional Transportation Networks Initiatives

• Explore Investment Opportunities to the Host Country’s Transportation Masterplan

• Facilitate Public Private Dialogue & Participate in Regional Transportation Networks Development Plans

• Improve Connectivity Between Economic Centres in the Asian Region