Asia faces two key challenges – the global slowdown and increased competition. This year will see slowing demand for Asia-based businesses as well as a heightened risk of financial and other shocks. However, most Asian economies are likely to be relatively resilient in the face of the slowdown.

One key area of competition in Asia is between cities – e.g. Dubai, Shanghai and Singapore are implementing new strategies to achieve pre-eminence as global centres of commerce. Cities’ ability to attract mobile global talent is critical to achieving these ambitions. Manu will use evidence from the 2007 MasterCard Worldwide Centers of Commerce Index to give insights into which cities are likely to be winners in this competition.

Recognised as a leading Asia economist and strategist, Manu Bhaskaran has been conducting economic research and providing in-depth analysis on the forces shaping the Asian investment environment for over 25 years.

Adit Jain believes that people are presently the biggest challenge to growth in India.

Adit will offer perspectives on the economic and political environment in India and the business challenges for domestic and multi-national enterprises. He will discuss the demographic realities of India's markets and the implications for companies striving to meet growth expectations. Adit will share concrete examples of corporate responses to the challenge of growth in India - including tactics for recruiting, job specifications and the role of overseas labor.

Adit Jain advises multinational corporations on India strategy. He chairs the India CEO Forum, a retainer-based business information service offered by IMA to over 400 clients. Adit is extensively published on topics of politics, economics and business practices. He sits on the Board of Sanmar Group; Shriram Finance; PR Pundit; BMR Tax and the Centre of Civil Society.

Mike Napier, Head of Real Estate, Shell International – BIO

Dr. Geoff Nesbitt, Innovation & Research Manager, Shell Technology India – BIO

Alex Hill, Regional Director, CB Richard Ellis – BIO

Joel Donnelly, Regional Director, Judd Farris – BIO

Finding, getting and keeping the best talent in Asia is challenging; in high attrition markets like India it is daunting. Given demographic and immigration patterns across the region, this quest will only increase in difficulty and complexity. How are multi-national companies with a strong thirst for talent coping with this challenge? How can real estate leaders support the needs of both the enterprise and their own departments? Are the strategies different? What’s working?

Shell Real Estate, together with their business unit leadership, CB Richard Ellis, and recruiting firm Judd Farris, has implemented a series of programmes that illustrate potential solutions to labour challenges and problems across Asia. These strategies and investments combine location, workplace innovations, training, incentives and other tactics to ensure that Shell attracts and retains the best talent, in both its core business and real estate department.

Inspired by a life changing event and a taste for adventure, Russell McGilton battled malaria, wild dogs, charging rhinos, and a very strong possibility of nuclear exposure in order to fulfill a dream.

Russell traveled from Bombay to Beijing by bicycle in ten months - through the bustling cities and remote villages of India, Pakistan and China. Along the way, he met many fascinating people - a memorable sample of the astounding range of characters and talent that is Asia. Regrettably, he did get a little too close to Afghanistan on 11 September - but he survived to tell a story that will inspire anyone with even a little wonder dust in their pants.

Russell is the acclaimed author of Yakety Yak: Bombay to Beijing by Bicycle and winner of the 2003 George Fairfax Playwright Competition for his one-man show based on the book.