Joint AAS-PMCB-CMI Seminar

How to overcome the business uncertainty and challenges in the current economic climate with the help of a certified consultant

As part of a Seminar Series, the Australian Alumni Singapore (AAS), the Practising Management Certification (PMC) Board and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) jointly organised a financial seminar on 14 May 2009 at the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry. This was an excellent platform for business and social networking for members of the three organisations during the pre-seminar get-together.

The seminar began with a presentation by Mr Roger Loo, Associate Director of BDO Raffles on the PMC Certification Scheme and insights on “How to overcome the business uncertainty and challenges in the current economic climate with the help of a certified consultant”. Next, Mr Patrick O’Brien and Ms Peggy Tan gave a brief introduction on the CMI and AAS, respectively. Then all eyes and ears were on the Guest Speaker, Mr Loh Hoon Sun.

An alumnus from the University of Queensland, Australia and a Fellow and Council Member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Singapore, Mr Loh is the Managing Director of Phillip Securities Pte Ltd and a respected authority on financial issues in Singapore and the region.

Naturally, his forecast on the question that was on everyone’s lips, “Will this recession continue for another 3 years?” attracted much interest and attention from the audience which comprised professionals across all businesses and age groups, and investors as well as journalists. A lively question and answer session rounded off the presentation which Mr Loh closed with an air of optimism – “recent US economic indicators are already showing signs that the pace of recession in some sectors is slowing down, while other sectors have early signs of recovery”. As reported in the Business Times on 18 May 2009, Mr Loh’s call was that “the market has bottomed out in March and should stay above that level. In the coming months, we can expect conflicting indicators which will cause market volatility”.

Mr Rodger Loo, Associate Director of BDO Raffles
Mr Patrick O’Brien, Publicity Director,CMS
Ms Peggy Tan, Vice President AAS
Mr Loh, taking questions from the floor

Mr Yap Pao-Jui (centre), Head/Business & Service Excellence, SPRING Singapore, presenting a token of appreciation to Mr Loh. The Signature Orchid photo was taken by AAS President Simon Ho (right).

After the presentation – still more questions which Mr Loh readily entertained.