ACCA and UK-ASEAN Business Council work together in key growth markets
The global accountancy body – ACCA – is working with the UK- ASEAN Business Council (UKABC) to promote international business and trade in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
The UKABC-led events – where ACCA is principal sponsor – will see government, business, and trade leaders discuss issues that matter to businesses looking to enter and extend their commercial footprint in the region.
The programme centres on the annual ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS), held this year in the Lao PDR capital, Vientiane, between 8 and 11 October. Here UKABC Chair, Lord Vaizey, will preside over four ACCA-sponsored events. He is also a speaker on ASEAN Digital Transformation – exploring the potential of digital technology to connect MSMEs to global markets, facilitate seamless trade, and extend financial inclusion.
In contrast, Kuala Lumpur is all about setting the scene for Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025. Here, as well as meeting senior government and industry representatives in Kuala Lumpur, the team will convene with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation to consider initiatives for next year. Business Roundtables and Receptions are additionally being held in Dubai and Bangkok.
Pulkit Abrol, Managing Director ACCA Asia Pacific said: ‘ACCA is delighted to be working with UKABC to promote UK-led business growth. The ACCA Qualification is in demand around the world. Our sector has huge potential to grow still further as the world economy evolves. And this potential is underpinned by business resiliency which is reliant on sound accountancy practice.’
Ian Gibbons, Chief Executive, UKABC, said: ‘We are very pleased to be working with ACCA on this important series of events. UKABC is delighted to see the strengthening of trading relationships between Southeast Asia and the UK. The UK’s accession to CPTPP and bilateral agreements such as the recently signed UK-Thailand Enhanced Trade Partnership are signs of the deepening bilateral trade and investment relationship.
ACCA is collaborating with UKABC through the first half of October by sponsoring a series of trade and investment events – roundtables and receptions – in Dubai, Thailand, Lao PDR, and Malaysia; on 4, 7, 8-11, and 14-15 October respectively.
ACCA has a long record of working with employers, educational institutions and government in ASEAN on a broad range of capacity building and economic development issues, including reporting standards, public financial management, employability and the energy transition.
UK ‘soft power’ also has hard numbers. According to the research by Oxford Economics the UK accountancy profession made a combined £80.7 billion contribution to the UK economy in 2022.
Trade between the UK and ASEAN member states is similarly important with trade in goods and services between the UK and ASEAN member states reaching, £47.2 billion in 2023, with UK exports to the region up 5% in the 2023 calendar year, according to UK government figures.
Editor’s Notes
Read UK Government details of UK/ASEAN trade here
Read more on UK accountancy profession contribution here
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About ACCA
We are ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), a globally recognised professional accountancy body providing qualifications and advancing standards in accountancy worldwide.
Founded in 1904 to widen access to the accountancy profession, we’ve long championed inclusion and today proudly support a diverse community of over 252,500 members and 526,000 future members in 180 countries.
Our forward-looking qualifications, continuous learning and insights are respected and valued by employers in every sector. They equip individuals with the business and finance expertise and ethical judgment to create, protect, and report the sustainable value delivered by organisations and economies.
Guided by our purpose and values, our ambition is to lead the accountancy profession for a changed world. Partnering with policymakers, standard setters, the donor community, educators and other accountancy bodies, we’re strengthening and building a profession that drives a sustainable future for all.
Find out more at: www.accaglobal.com
About UKABC
The UK-ASEAN Business Council (UKABC) is an independent partner to UK and ASEAN governments, linking the UK private sector, the UK government and the public and private sectors of ASEAN, facilitating dialogue on policy and shared global challenges to grow two-way trade and investment between the UK and ASEAN.
As a formal member of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council’s Joint Business Council, the UKABC is an active partner in key issues facing the region and is the official representative of UK business in the annual ASEAN Economic Ministers – UK Consultative Meeting.
Through its network and strength of partnerships, UKABC facilitates the hosting of roundtables for senior ASEAN visitors including the Secretary-General of ASEAN in London and an annual UK-ASEAN Business Forum with ASEAN and UK Ministers. This deep relationship with business also enables UKABC to lead a business delegation to the annual ASEAN Business and Investment Summit.
Find our more at: www.ukabc.org.uk