The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2007 will be held on April 20-22, in the scenic town of Boao, Hainan in China. It was announced on Wednesday by Long Yongtu, secretary-general of the forum at a press conference in Beijing.

BFA's Annual Conference is a leading meeting developed by Asians for Asians, grouping together senior government officials and business executives with renowned academics from around the world whose office, business and research all impact upon Asia.
 
The theme for this year's forum was chosen as Asia Winning in Today's Global Economy—Innovation and Sustainable Development, following a methodical review by an expert panel to ensure the annual event meets the requirements of Asia's development.
 
Asia's rapid economic growth is redefining supply and demand patterns and demographics across the continent, so this year's annual conference will focus more on the business agenda and how companies in Asia might address these new issues for the mutual benefit of their businesses and Asia's sustainable growth and development, according to Long.
 
Key business issues which will be discussed in this year's forum will include economic fundamentals for sustainable growth (such as Asian economic integration, and the impact of India and China); the impact of development and innovations in key industries (such as energy and resources, telecommunications and technology, the financial services sector, and the emerging creative industries); and universal business issues such as corporate social responsibility to achieve inclusive growth and support a green agenda.
 
To achieve harmonious development across Asia, regional cooperation between East Asia, South Asia and the Middle East will also be on the agenda. 
 
"There are already many governmental and non-governmental mechanisms for East Asia cooperation. However, such cooperation should be further promoted to involve the South Asia and the Middle East, otherwise, it cannot be called holistic," said Long.
 
At yesterday's press conference, BFA also signed agreements with a number of major sponsors for this year's conference, including Microsoft, SK Group, Merrill Lynch, Dongfeng Nissan, Sinopec and Moutai as well as Deloitte. According to Long, Asian Development Bank, Lenovo, UPS, New Fortune, Starbucks and some other companies have further pledged support for the Boao Forum.

High-profile Chinese director Zhang Yimou announced Thursday he will give a speech for the first time at this year's Boao Forum for Asia. According to hinews.cn, the celebrated director will speak on how Asia's creative industry can join the global competition.

Until now, confirmed participants to this year's event include H.E. Shaukat Aziz, prime minister of Pakistan; Edmund Hau Wah, Ho, chief executive of Macao SAR, China; Bill Gates, chairman of Microsoft; Chey Tae Won, chairman of SK Group; Chen Tonghai, chairman of Sinopec; Jiang Jiemin, president of China National Petroleum Corporation; Kevan Watts, chairman of Merrill Lynch International Inc.; Klaus Engel, CEO of Degussa; Li Lihui, president of Bank of China; Michael Treschow, chairman of Ericsson Group; Victor Fung, chairman of Li & Fung Group of Companies; Wang Jianzhou, president of China Mobile Telecom Group; and William Parrett, CEO of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.
 
(China.org.cn by staff reporter Yuan Fang, January 25, 2007)