The Edinburgh International Festival is hosting a unique and lively debate on Scottish-Asian trade.  In line with the overall theme of Festival 2011, Trading with the West, brings together five experts from Scotland, Asia and points between to present arguments about the history, nature and future of business and trading relationships.  Produced by Edinburgh entrepreneur, Michael Groves, this debate is built on his Moving Conversations format that uniquely challenges the experts to show a clip from the Scottish Screen Archive in order to intrigue the audience and support their arguments.

The panel includes:

Michael E Ward, Scottish expat Bollywood film producer – currently working on a slate of movies including a full length feature of The Far Pavilions.
Ian Ritchie CBE, Scottish based entrepreneur, investor and mentor to growing technology companies.
Z J Cama, former CEO of HSBC Malaysia and currently General Manager of HSBC Holdings plc.
Professor Catherine Schenk, Economic Historian at Glasgow University and chronicler of the rise of financial services in Hong Kong and China.
John Callaghan, CEO of PT Hero, Indonesia’s biggest supermarket chain, part of the Jardine Matheson trading empire.

Each panellist brings their own unique perspective based on their varied experiences across many areas of business – finance, retail, trading, technology and creative industries.  The clips serve to bring an element of entertainment and intrigue to the proceedings, while shedding a different light on the subject.  A lively debate is expected that will encompass the history of business relationships and some of the key themes for the future – technology, investment, climate change and culture.

Michael Groves said:

“I lived and worked in Indonesia for three years, so have watched with great interest, the rise of Asia as a global business and financial nexus.  Their experience of living and working in Asia, operating in different business sectors promises a lively debate, fuelled by some very interesting and sometimes amusing clips from the Scottish Screen Archive.”

Trading with the West is at Filmhouse, 2.30pm on 19th August.  Tickets are available from The Hub and www.eif.co.uk/trading.