Asia Business Council
The Asia Business Council was established in Hong Kong in 2002, and is an independent organization of top executives, typically from leading Asian companies or multinational corporations with significant Asian operations, who share an interest in the policies needed to ensure the continued economic development and competitiveness of the region. The council is a membership organization limited to 75 CEOs and Chairmen with operations in Asia. The council's current chairman is Qin Xiao, who is the chairman of the China Merchants Group. The council's vice-chairman is Marjorie Yang, who is chairman of the Esquel Group. Mark Clifford is the Council's executive director.
Mandate
The Asia Business Council was formed by a group of prominent business people and is the first pan-Asian CEO organization. The mission of The Asia Business Council is to:
• Foster dialogue and understanding among Asian and international business leaders
• Improve the efficacy of the private sector in promoting continued economic growth and development in the region
• Be a collective voice to influence other corporations, governments, multilateral organizations and members of civil society
Research
The Council conducts research for its members. In 2007 it published Building Energy Efficiency: Why Green Buildings Are Key to Asia's Future. The book was translated into Chinese in 2008. In 2009, it developed a Green Jobs Index for 13 Asian economies. The Council conducts research on specific issues that are important to Asia's future, including green jobs, climate change, corporate social responsibility, and the food and agriculture sector in Asia, energy efficiency, innovation within Asian firms, intellectual property rights, and public-private partnerships.