Riding out the storms

THIS WEEK'S TOPIC: To what extent does the political and social unrest in the region pose risks to business? How does it impact the business imperative to go regional?

J Heinrich Jessen Chairman Jebsen & Jessen Pte Ltd

Political upheaval, social unrest and the economic uncertainty and business risks that very often accompany them are neither new nor particularly surprising in what is after all the world's most diverse region.

Whether in terms of ethnicities, languages, forms of government, religions, income levels, political views, regulatory systems, currencies or labour policies; whether between the countries or within them; no other region in the world matches South-east Asia's diversity.

With this rich diversity comes a plethora of business opportunities - and also many risks. But with an open mind, empathy, agility and a healthy dose of common sense, those risks can be managed. And the more businesses can emulate the unifying spirit of Asean, the more likely those risks will diminish further over ti…

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