21th February 2003

MC NO: 26-2003 4 February, 2003 10 YEAR OVERVIEW OF THE MASTERINDEX OF CONSUMER CONFIDENCE IN ASIA PACIFIC AND SINGAPORE HIGHLIGHTS by DR YUWA HEDRICK-WONG, ECONOMIC ADVISOR (ASIA PACIFIC), MASTERCARD INTERNATIONAL This is unquestionably a period of volatility and tremendous change, not just in this region, but across the globe. At a time like this, it is even more critical to capture trends on consumer sentiment. SICC is pleased to invite Dr Yuwa Hedrick-Wong, Economic Advisor (Asia Pacific) of MasterCard International, a member of SICC to give a 10 year overview of the MasterIndex of consumer confidence, highlighting divergent developments in the region with the growing importance of private consumption as an engine of growth, and a fundamental transformation of the role of consumer confidence from a lagging indicator to a leading indicator. Dr Yuwa will share with us an analysis of the watershed in 1998: contrasting the pre-1998 and post-1998 periods. Executives will be able to gain an insight into Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, and SE Asia, as well as the challenges and opportunities in China's rising consumer confidence. Learn also the challenges of structural transition in Singapore and consumer confidence, and economic outlook in 2003 and beyond. Dr Yuwa is a business economist with 19 years of applied research and consulting experience gained in over thirty countries. He gained his field experience in the early 1980's in Japan and China, and subsequently worked in Europe, Sub-Sahara Africa, and the South Pacific. In the past 12 years, he has focused on the Asia Pacific region, concentrating specifically on areas of the economic fundamentals and business strategies. He has served as strategy advisor to over thirty Forbes 500 companies in Asia Pacific. Dr Yuwa is a frequent commentator on CNBC and BBC on current economic issues in Asia Pacific, and a published author in economic development and international relations. Details of the Breakfast Talk: Date : Friday, 21 February, 2003 Venue : The Fullerton Hotel (Ballroom 2, Basement) 1 Fullerton Square Time : 8:00 am - 8:30 am (Registration & Breakfast) 8:30 am - 9:45 am (Presentation/Q&As) Fee : $35 per person inclusive of 4% GST - SICC Members $40 per person inclusive of 4% GST - Non SICC Members Registration : To register, please contact Ms Sopia Noordin at email: sopia@sicc.com.sg with details including name, designation, company, telephone and email. Registration is on a "first-come-first-served" basis Payment : Please made cheque payable to Singapore International Chamber of Commerce and mail to 6, Raffles Quay, #10-01, John Hancock Tower, Singapore 048580. Please indicate MC No. on the back of the cheque. Kind regards, Nancy Teo Corporate Services Manager