Francois Guibert, Chairman, EU-ASEAN Business Council & Executive Vice President & President, Greater China & South Asia Region, STMicroelectronics

Asia's share of the global economy continues to rise and many of the countries that are members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) have been among the world's fastest-growing economies in recent years. In line with this trend, European governments and firms are seeking new mechanisms through which to explore business opportunities, build relations with ASEAN governments and boost trade and investment between Europe and ASEAN member states.

One such mechanism is the recently-incorporated EU-ASEAN Business Council, a pan-ASEAN platform for European businesses to advocate their trade and investment interests in South East Asia. Composed of senior business representatives, it allows its members to engage in high-level meetings with policy-makers in ASEAN countries, the ASEAN secretariat and EU institutions. It acts as an interface for institutions in the European Union and in ASEAN to engage in dialogue with businesses.

The special guest speaker at this event will provide a background and introduction to the EU-ASEAN Business Council Singapore and its activities. In addition, among other topics, he will address:

‧ Progress on the negotiations of Free Trade Agreements between Europe and ASEAN countries

‧ A briefing on the ASEAN Summit scheduled to be held in Naypyidaw, Myanmar from 23-28 August and to be attended by the European Trade Commissioner, Karel De Gucht, economics ministers from ASEAN member states and EU-ASEAN Business Council representatives from many countries including the United States, Japan and China.

Francois Guibert is the Chairman of the EU-ASEAN Business Council and concurrently Executive Vice President of STMicroelectronics and President of the Company's Greater China and South Asia Region. Guibert has led ST's operations in the Asia Pacific region since 2006 and his responsibilities were expanded to include Greater China after the re-organization of the company's regional structure in January 2010.

After three years at Texas Instruments, Guibert joined Thomson Semiconducteurs, a predecessor company to STMicroelectronics, in 1981. He was appointed Director of the Company's Semicustom Business for Asia Pacific in 1987, and two years later became President of ST's operations in Taiwan. Guibert has also held senior positions in Corporate Business Development and Investor Relations. In 2005, he was promoted to Corporate Vice President, managing the company's sales and marketing in emerging markets, which comprised Africa and the Middle East, India, Latin America, Russia and the Eastern European countries.

In May 2011, Guibert was elected Chairman of the Board of Veredus Laboratories. He is a board member of the Singapore Economic Development Board and was bestowed Knight of the National Order of Merit by the French government in 2009. Guibert graduated with a degree in Electronic Engineering from Ecole Centrale Marseille in France.

To cancel without penalty, written cancellations must be received 24 hours prior to the event.

Contact: Fiona Lee / Tel 2740-0236 ext. 215 / Fiona.lee@ecct.com.tw / www.ecct.com.tw