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Analyse Asia with Bernard Leong

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Mar 30, 2025 • 48min

The Lazarus Group, The Bybit Hack and Sanctions: The New Battleground with Andrew Fierman

"The thing that's most fascinating, we talk a lot about how complex North Korea is here but when you compare it to some of the other illicit groups, particularly those that are sanctioned, say your terrorist organization that's soliciting donations on Telegram or some other social media outlet understanding what that difference in the level of complexity is, I think is really fascinating to actually know about. When we're talking about DPRK, we're talking about laundering of funds through tens of thousands. By the time we're done, it'll be hundreds of thousands of wallets. And then on the other end of it, We have a terrorist organization that was, sanctioned mid last year for facilitating on behalf of Hamas. After they got sanctioned and their addresses that they were using, got seized and disrupted. They got annoyed and they tried to bridge funds with their new Ethereum wallet after they received a few donations and they didn't even have the gas fees to facilitate it. And the transaction,  when we're talking about the difference in the level of complexity here, it is really fascinating to know the nuance and it's not to say that, other nation states, like Russia or Iran don't have any level of complexity. They certainly do." - Andrew Fierman, Head of National Security Intelligence at Chainalysis Inc Fresh out of the studio, Andrew Fierman, Head of National Security Intelligence at Chainalysis, provides an in-depth analysis of the recent $1.5 billion Bybit hack orchestrated by North Korea's Lazarus Group. Starting from his career journey from traditional banking to blockchain analytics, Andrew shares his expertise on how sanctioned entities operate in the cryptocurrency space and the sophisticated techniques employed by state-sponsored hackers. He explains how blockchain's transparency enables tracking of stolen funds. Andrew details how sanctioned states are increasingly turning to stablecoins and decentralized finance to evade traditional banking controls, while emphasizing the importance of KYC procedures and blockchain analytics in disrupting illicit activities. Last but not least, Andrew shares his perspectives on emerging threats in cryptocurrency security, including how AI-powered deepfakes and digital identity forgery are lowering barriers to sophisticated attacks. Audio Episode Highlights: [00:46] Quote of the Day by Andrew Fierman #QOTD [02:38] Introduction of Andrew Fierman, Head of National Security Intelligence at Chainalysis [05:54] Differences between traditional financial monitoring and blockchain transparency [08:22] Explanation of the Bybit hack and how the hack occurred through a third-party vendor [12:06] Lazarus Group's operational methods and their technical advancement [15:10] Evolving tactics in the laundering process [16:18] The importance of patience in tracking and disrupting funds [19:39] Role of blockchain analytics in identifying and mitigating risks [19:47] Challenges in tracing through bridges and DeFi protocols [22:17] Comparison of North Korea's sophistication versus other sanctioned groups [24:51] How exchanges can bolster their defenses against attacks [27:52] Discussion of the Chainalysis 2025 Crypto Crime Report [31:24] Secondary sanctions and their impact on international crypto payments [35:28] Regulatory challenges around decentralized finance platforms [37:42] Dusting attacks and their implications for everyday users [40:43] Emerging threats in the crypto space [41:38] Lowering barriers to sophisticated attacks through AI and deepfakes [44:11] What success means for the crypto industry in fending off sanctioned groups [46:35] Closing Profile: Andrew Fierman, Head of National Security Intelligence at Chainalysis Inc https://www.chainalysis.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-fierman-87511611/ Chainalysis Crypto Crime Report: https://go.chainalysis.com/2025-Crypto-Crime-Report.html Podcast Information: Bernard Leong hosts and produces the show. The proper credits for the intro and end music are "Energetic Sports Drive." G. Thomas Craig mixed and edited the episode in both video and audio format. Here are the links to watch or listen to our podcast. Analyse Asia Main Site: https://analyse.asia Analyse Asia Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1kkRwzRZa4JCICr2vm0vGl Analyse Asia Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/analyse-asia-with-bernard-leong/id914868245 Analyse Asia YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AnalyseAsia Analyse Asia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/analyse-asia/ Analyse Asia X (formerly known as Twitter): https://twitter.com/analyseasia Analyse Asia Threads: https://www.threads.net/@analyseasia Sign Up for Our This Week in Asia Newsletter: https://www.analyse.asia/#/portal/signup Subscribe Newsletter on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7149559878934540288
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Mar 21, 2025 • 37min

Building Networks, Not Just Hiring: The Global Talent Strategy with Mark Reinecke

"When I discuss with senior leaders, interview them, or assess them for senior roles, they often come to me, and I ask them: 'What makes you unique? How do you see yourself?' Eighty percent of them tell me what they can't do. They talk about their development needs, and I say, 'Is that how you pitch yourself? Is that what you really bring to the table? You sit with a headhunter and tell me what you can’t do—why not tell me what you’re really good at?' Your exceptional value-add, your competitive advantage—that’s what makes an impact, not what you cannot do. Development needs require a mitigation strategy, yes, but I believe that focusing on your unique strengths will take you further in your career." - Mark Reinecke Fresh out of the studio, Mark Reinecke, SVP of Top Executive Management and Talent Acquisition at Airbus, shares his approach to the full life cycle of global talent management from acquisition to development and retention. Starting from his career journey, Mark shared his experiences and mental models in recruiting, developing and retaining top talent while emphasized how the STAR program in Airbus can gather experts from areas outside of Airbus to provide different perspectives on how the aviation industry can learn from best practices in other industries given the emerging technologies. Last but not least, Mark shared his perspectives on what does great look like for global talent management. Audio Episode Highlights [00:46] Lead with your unique strengths, not weaknesses [02:05] Introduction of Mark Reinecke, SVP at Airbus [02:41] Mark's career journey from automotive to aerospace [05:47] Key career lessons: daily learning and focusing on strengths [07:09] Mark's role managing top 250 leaders at Airbus [09:02] Approach to analysing global talent landscape [10:39] Integrating outside talent into aviation industry [12:54] The STAR Program: creating an ecosystem of external expertise [17:51] Challenges of integrating external talent into aviation culture [20:38] Airbus's tailor-made onboarding process with buddy system [21:40] Two-way learning between Airbus and STAR Program members [23:20] AI's future role in HR and talent management [28:25] The underestimated power of genuine professional networks [32:21] What excellence in global talent management looks like [34:40] Closing Profile: Mark Reinecke, Senior Vice President, Top Executive Management and Talent Acquisition and STAR Program Director, Airbus. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-reinecke-6253b015/ Podcast Information: Bernard Leong hosts and produces the show. The proper credits for the intro and end music are "Energetic Sports Drive." G. Thomas Craig mixed and edited the episode in both video and audio format. Here are the links to watch or listen to our podcast. Analyse Asia Main Site: https://analyse.asia Analyse Asia Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1kkRwzRZa4JCICr2vm0vGl Analyse Asia Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/analyse-asia-with-bernard-leong/id914868245 Analyse Asia YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AnalyseAsia Analyse Asia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/analyse-asia/ Analyse Asia X (formerly known as Twitter): https://twitter.com/analyseasia Analyse Asia Threads: https://www.threads.net/@analyseasia Sign Up for Our This Week in Asia Newsletter: https://www.analyse.asia/#/portal/signup Subscribe Newsletter on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7149559878934540288
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Mar 2, 2025 • 39min

Gambling Man: The Secret Story of the World's Greatest Disruptor, Masayoshi Son with Lionel Barber

"They will judge Masa to have been an extraordinarily consequential investor and historic figure in world investing and tech investing because he has made not just spectacular bets—but he's made so many people rich. I mean, with other people's money. All these founders, he's given them money, he's been an enormous disruptor, and he's built global businesses. He's built a huge business in Japan on the mobile operator. So for all these reasons, I know he sometimes feels dissatisfied with his legacy, and he's now trying to build his greatest legacy in the march to artificial general intelligence. Maybe the legacy will finally be judged by whether this bet pays off. What will his role be in the AI revolution? I would say to him, 'You've done pretty well so far.' " - Lionel Barber, author of "Gambling Man" Fresh out of the studio, Lionel Barber, former editor of the Financial Times and author of "Gambling Man" joined us in a conversation to unravel the enigmatic figure of Masayoshi Son, the CEO of SoftBank Group. We began with Lionel's career journey as the former editor of Financial Times and why inspired him to work on this book. We progressed how he put together a nuanced portrait of Masa as a resilient outsider whose Korean-Japanese heritage fueled his drive to succeed in Japan's stratified society and shared stories of Masa's evolution from software distributor to global tech investor with Vision Fund. Lionel explains how this "eternal optimist" has consistently ridden technological waves for four decades while making and losing billions. He unpacks Masa's unique investment philosophy of thinking big, his revolutionary $100 billion Vision Fund that disrupted venture capital norms, and his latest half-trillion-dollar bet on AI. Throughout the conversation, Lionel reveals the complexity behind the caricature, arguing that history will remember Masa as an extraordinarily consequential figure in global tech investing despite his mixed record of spectacular wins and losses. Episode Highlights: [00:46] Introduction to Lionel Barber and his book on Masayoshi Son [01:34] Lionel's journalism career origins [03:57] Key lessons from Lionel's career [05:25] What makes Masayoshi Son unique [06:33] The resilience behind Masa's character [07:49] The "Gambling Man" and core themes [10:38] Challenges in documenting Masa's story [13:07] How Masa's Korean heritage shaped him [15:49] Defining moments in Masa's business career [18:33] Evolution from software distributor to global tech conglomerate [22:21] Masa's dual roles: operator and investor [24:21] Understanding Masa's investment philosophy [31:30] How Masa changed tech investing [34:30] The hardest question about Masa [35:23] Masa's historical legacy [39:10] Closing remarks and book recommendations Profile: Lionel Barber, Author of "Gambling Man" LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lionel-barber-473826135/ X: https://x.com/lionelbarber?lang=en BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:yv5ux5l7lcvmxexdswey5hqx Gambling Man Profile Page: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Gambling-Man/Lionel-Barber/9781668070741 FT Profile: https://www.ft.com/lionel-barber Podcast Information: Bernard Leong hosts and produces the show. The proper credits for the intro and end music are "Energetic Sports Drive." G. Thomas Craig mixed and edited the episode in both video and audio format. Here are the links to watch or listen to our podcast. Analyse Asia Main Site: https://analyse.asia Analyse Asia Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1kkRwzRZa4JCICr2vm0vGl Analyse Asia Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/analyse-asia-with-bernard-leong/id914868245 Analyse Asia YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AnalyseAsia Analyse Asia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/analyse-asia/ Analyse Asia X (formerly known as Twitter): https://twitter.com/analyseasia Analyse Asia Threads: https://www.threads.net/@analyseasia Sign Up for Our This Week in Asia Newsletter: https://www.analyse.asia/#/portal/signup Subscribe Newsletter on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7149559878934540288
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Feb 16, 2025 • 44min

Scam Inc: How a $500B Crime Industry is Impacting the World with Sue-Lin Wong

In this engaging discussion, Sue-Lin Wong, a Southeast Asia Correspondent for The Economist known for her sharp investigative journalism, dives deep into the alarming rise of the $500 billion scam industry. She shares chilling insights on how sophisticated scammers outpace law enforcement using advanced tech like voice cloning and AI tools. The conversation touches on the pervasive issue of scams in Asia, revealing personal stories and highlighting the human impact. Wong emphasizes empathy for victims and the urgent need for collective action against these crimes.
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Feb 9, 2025 • 47min

The eFishery Scandal and its impact to Southeast Asia with Kristie Neo

"So that was back in 2021. And then after Revolution Precrafted, there was Zilingo in 2022, and then Tanihub and Investree - which were P2P lenders in 2023(24) - and then eFishery. So actually every single year we've been getting pretty big blow ups. But as I was looking at the cases for each of them, one thing I've noticed is the sophistication of the fraud is actually becoming more advanced." - Kristie Neo Fresh out of the studio, Kristie Neo, an independent journalist covering tech and venture capital, joins us to dissect the rise of startup fraud in Southeast Asia and why it’s becoming more sophisticated. She shares her journey from broadcast journalism to investigative reporting, reflecting on the shift from high-growth hype to market corrections and corporate scandals. Kristie unpacks the eFishery scandal, explaining how founders manipulated financials and how investors got misled. She discusses why due diligence often fails, the role of unchecked valuations, and the impact of drying venture capital on the region’s startup ecosystem. Addressing investor confidence, Kristie explores what it will take to restore trust and accountability in Southeast Asia’s tech scene. Closing the conversation, she shares her vision for a more transparent startup ecosystem and what great looks like for the region’s next wave of entrepreneurs. Episode Highlights: [00:46] Quote of the Day by Kristie Neo [01:07] The Rise and Fall of Southeast Asian Unicorns [03:53] From Fundraising Frenzy to Market Correction [09:22] Breaking Down the eFishery Scandal [15:25] How Did eFishery Manipulate Its Financials? [19:39] Why Investors Fell for the eFishery Story and Other Similar Ones [22:51] The Evolution of Fraud: From Vanity Metrics to Revenue Manipulation [27:59] Due Diligence & the Role of VCs in Startup Fraud [31:45] How Will This Impact Future VC Investments in Southeast Asia? [32:49] The Need for Legal Consequences for Founders Committing Fraud [38:45] The Secondaries Market and the Liquidity Problem [42:13] Southeast Asia’s Future: Can the Region Build Bold & Ambitious Businesses? [46:23] Closing Profile: Kristie Neo, Independent Journalist (former DealStreetAsia, CNBC, We Are Social & Channel News Asia) https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristieneo/ and her article: "Thank you eFishery, Southeast Asia is officially off the kool-aid" https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/thank-you-efishery-southeast-asia-officially-off-kool-aid-kristie-neo-h0z0c/ Podcast Information: Bernard Leong hosts and produces the show. The proper credits for the intro and end music are "Energetic Sports Drive." G. Thomas Craig mixed and edited the episode in both video and audio format. Here are the links to watch or listen to our podcast. Analyse Asia Main Site: https://analyse.asia Analyse Asia Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1kkRwzRZa4JCICr2vm0vGl Analyse Asia Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/analyse-asia-with-bernard-leong/id914868245 Analyse Asia YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AnalyseAsia Analyse Asia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/analyse-asia/ Analyse Asia X (formerly known as Twitter): https://twitter.com/analyseasia Analyse Asia Threads: https://www.threads.net/@analyseasia Sign Up for Our This Week in Asia Newsletter: https://www.analyse.asia/#/portal/signup Subscribe Newsletter on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7149559878934540288
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10 snips
Feb 2, 2025 • 38min

How Agentforce is Transforming Businesses in ASEAN with Sujith Abraham

Sujith Abraham, Senior VP at Salesforce and expert in enterprise AI, shares his insights on how Agentforce 2.0 is revolutionizing businesses in ASEAN. He discusses his career transition from automotive engineering to tech leadership, emphasizing the demand for fast, integrated AI solutions. Sujith explains the distinction between generative AI and AI agents, and their roles in automating processes like sales and customer service. He also touches on maintaining trust and ethical practices in AI, showcasing innovative use cases within various sectors.
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7 snips
Jan 26, 2025 • 45min

Undivided Ventures: AI, Sustainability & Data Centre Technologies with Ariel Shtarkman

Ariel Shtarkman, Managing Partner of Undivided Ventures, discusses their mission to champion sustainable technologies in Asia's built environment. She shares her journey from real estate in New York to venture capital focused on innovation. The conversation dives into the transformative potential of generative AI and robotics in real estate, addressing data mining challenges and its role in enhancing operational efficiency. Ariel also highlights the booming data center industry in Asia Pacific, emphasizing energy efficiency and future design trends.
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Jan 14, 2025 • 58min

Virtuals Protocol and the intersection of Agentic AI & Web3 with Jansen Teng

"What does great look like? For us, it's being able to achieve this vision of a society of agents. So, if you can show clearly the economic value of a society when agents can influence other agents, agents can influence humans, and humans can influence agents, that would be something that I'll be very proud to say that we've accomplished. Because that's the beauty of really combining breakthroughs on the AI, on the autonomous agent front, and the value add of crypto. This is one of those very rare moments that crypto has that true potential value add, right? As a productivity lever and an economic lever in society." - Jansen Teng Fresh out of the studio, Jansen Teng, co-founder and CEO of Virtuals Protocol joins us to share the mission and vision of Virtuals Protocol and how the protocol intersects generative AI and web3, unlocking the world of autonomous AI agents powered by tokenization to unlock new economic possibilities. Beginning from his origin story, he explained how the Virtuals team explored and eventually come to the realization how tokenized AI agents can power entertainment, gaming and trading with Luna, the AI avatar that grew through the help of AI agents and even inspiring works of real art. Last but not least, Jansen offered his perspectives on the trends of agentic AI and web3 and elucidate what great looks like for the Virtuals Protocol. Audio Episode Highlights: [00:46] Quote of the Day by Jansen Teng, co-founder and CEO of Virtuals Protocol [02:33] Introduction: Jansen Teng [03:46] Jansen Teng shares his origin story in crypto, gaming, and AI [06:27] Early experiments with AI agents and gaming in Roblox [07:44] Realizing AI agents as revenue-generating assets [09:15] Tokenization and Economic Innovation in Virtuals Protocol [13:17] Navigating challenges during the bear market and pivoting to virtual Protocol [17:32] Virtuals Protocol's Vision and Mission for creating and co-owning AI agents [19:46] Observations of agents mimicking societal roles and functioning autonomously [23:16] The story of Luna and her evolution as an AI influencer [31:20] How autonomous agents sparked creativity in the crypto space [40:19] Balancing innovation and scaling challenges for Virtuals Protocol [43:53] The evolving vision of Virtuals Protocol and the society of agents [47:21] Virtuals Protocol as the economic foundation for AI agents [50:56] Challenges and trends in the AI agent ecosystem [53:19] Exploring billion-dollar verticalized AI agents [57:28] Closing Profile: Jansen Teng, co-founder & CEO of Virtuals Protocol. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jansenteng Twitter: https://x.com/ethermage Podcast Information: Bernard Leong hosts and produces the show. The proper credits for the intro and end music are "Energetic Sports Drive." G. Thomas Craig mixed and edited the episode in both video and audio format. Here are the links to watch or listen to our podcast. Analyse Asia Main Site: https://analyse.asia Analyse Asia Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1kkRwzRZa4JCICr2vm0vGl Analyse Asia Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/analyse-asia-with-bernard-leong/id914868245 Analyse Asia YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AnalyseAsia Analyse Asia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/analyse-asia/ Analyse Asia X (formerly known as Twitter): https://twitter.com/analyseasia Analyse Asia Threads: https://www.threads.net/@analyseasia Sign Up for Our This Week in Asia Newsletter: https://www.analyse.asia/#/portal/signup Subscribe Newsletter on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7149559878934540288
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Jan 1, 2025 • 51min

Why Southeast Asia Matters with Gullnaz Baig

"People always ask us this question, what can I learn from that country? People ask us about this from the report especially when we're talking to policymakers, or what should I learn from Malaysia? What should I learn? The thing to learn is  to not learn  to replicate exactly.  But the thing to learn is sort of what are the principles behind what works for them. What are your comparative advantages, Every country needs to be asking that for themselves. So for Vietnam, comparative advantages are things like  proximity to China, and an ability at a geopolitical level to navigate between the U.S. and China.  They do this pretty delicately, given their history with both countries. There's an acquiescence by the major powers also to not force Vietnam to take sides. And, you know, and so it's a delicate balancing game that ASEAN always plays ..." - Gullnaz Baig Fresh out of the studio, Gullnaz Baig, executive director from the Angsana Council, shares her perspectives on the "Southeast Asia Outlook 2024-2034: Navigating the High Winds" report by Angsana Council, DBS and Bain & Co. In our conversation, Gullnaz emphasized Southeast Asia’s unique strengths, including its cultural diversity, openness to innovation, and ability to navigate geopolitical complexities between global powers like China and the U.S. She highlighted Southeast Asia’s resilience, citing its rising wealth, improving standards of living, and comparative advantages such as Vietnam’s strong STEM workforce and the Philippines’ English-speaking talent. Last but not least, she described the importance of leveraging regional collaboration and technology to foster sustainable growth and offered her thoughts on what great would look like for the region. Episode Highlights: [00:46] Quote of the Day by Gullnaz Baig [01:28] Gullnaz Baig’s Career Journey and Key Milestones [03:53] Introduction to the Angsana Council and Its Mission [05:52] Career Lessons and Importance of Mentorship [07:50] Southeast Asia's Economic Outlook for 2024-2034 [10:03] Collaboration Behind the Southeast Asia Outlook Report [12:46] Economic Resilience of Southeast Asia Over the Past 30 Years [16:58] Structural Challenges Across Southeast Asia [20:29] Vietnam’s Growth Potential and Comparative Advantages [25:17] Philippines’ Services Sector and Comparative Strengths [26:14] Startups in Southeast Asia: Building and Scaling Across Borders [29:51] Southeast Asia’s Receptiveness to New Technology [31:50] China’s Influence and Opportunities in Southeast Asia [34:42] Navigating Geopolitical Tensions Between China and the U.S. [36:29] Leveraging China’s Strengths in Southeast Asia [38:52] The question that Gullnaz would like people to ask her more: Who are Southeast Asians? [45:19] What Does Great Look Like for Southeast Asia? [47:03] Closing Profile: Gullnaz Baig, Executive Director of Angsana Council LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gullnazbaig/ Angsana Council: https://angsanacouncil.org/member/gullnaz-baig/ Podcast Information: Bernard Leong hosts and produces the show. Proper credits for the intro and end music: "Energetic Sports Drive" and the episode is mixed & edited in both video and audio format by G. Thomas Craig. Here are the links to watch or listen to our podcast. Analyse Asia Main Site: https://analyse.asia Analyse Asia Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1kkRwzRZa4JCICr2vm0vGl Analyse Asia Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/analyse-asia-with-bernard-leong/id914868245 Analyse Asia YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AnalyseAsia Analyse Asia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/analyse-asia/ Analyse Asia X (formerly known as Twitter): https://twitter.com/analyseasia Analyse Asia Threads: https://www.threads.net/@analyseasia Sign Up for Our This Week in Asia Newsletter: https://www.analyse.asia/#/portal/signup Subscribe Newsletter on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7149559878934540288
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Dec 17, 2024 • 44min

The Transition to Electric Buses: The KMB Experience & Philanthrophy with William Louey

“ Yeah. We plan to replace the fleet by 2040. We can't scrap all of them now because each bus lasts 18 years. So we have the depreciation for 18 years. They're all from the U.K. All the buses are from the U.K. All the double-deckers. That's the only country that makes double-decker buses, and it's the same as Singapore. All the double-deckers are from the U.K. Because of COVID, when we replace all these diesel buses with electricity, you need a lot more power and electricity to accommodate this. So the government has to work with us. But today, we can't really see that if we import all these 4,000 electric buses to Hong Kong, there will be enough charging stations. We'll have to build a new depot that accommodates electric buses. So in Yuen Long, we're building a seven-storey, new depot that can charge 1,000 buses every night. But after we build it, the government has to give us the confidence that they can give us the power to charge these buses. So there's no point building a new depot if there's not enough electricity to charge it. So we're delaying it now. But the idea is still the same. We will have to replace it with green energy because it's much better for the environment.” - William Louey Fresh out of the studio, William Louey, 4th generation business leader of Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB), talks about his vision for transforming Hong Kong’s public transportation system through sustainability and innovation. He discusses KMB’s ambitious plan to electrify its bus fleet by 2040, highlighting the challenges of infrastructure, power supply, and government collaboration. He also shares his philanthropic efforts specifically on education and how they shaped the next generation of leaders to pay it forward. Last but not least, William shares what great would look like for KMB in a green and sustainable future. Audio Episode Highlights: [00:46] Quote of the Day (#QOTD) by William Louey [02:07] Introduction to the Guest and KMB's Electrification Plan [02:53] Influences from Family and Philanthropic Leadership [04:44] The Beginnings of the Educational Foundation [07:31] Shifting from Wealth Accumulation to Making an Impact [18:11] Overview of KMB’s Role in Hong Kong’s Transportation Network [21:35] Vision for Green Transit: KMB’s Electric Bus Roadmap [23:15] Exploring Hybrid and Emerging Technologies [25:31] Infrastructure and Power Challenges for Electrification [28:46] Autonomous Vehicles and the Future of Public Transit [34:16] The One Thing William Louey Knows that Very Few Do [35:58] Balancing Technology and Employee Welfare [37:26] What Does Great Look Like for KMB? [40:19] Pet Buses and Women-Only Bus Routes in Hong Kong [42:49] Closing Thoughts and Reflections Profile: William Louey, Businessman and Philanthropist in Hong Kong. William Louey serves as a non-executive director of Transport International and founding member of JNW Properties. He established the William S. D. Louey Educational Foundation in memory of his grandfather. The William S.D. Louey Educational Foundation provides scholarships and bursaries to academically outstanding students from Hong Kong and Greater China for overseas studies. Podcast Information: Bernard Leong hosts and produces the show. Proper credits for the intro and end music: "Energetic Sports Drive" and the episode is mixed & edited in both video and audio format by G. Thomas Craig Analyse Asia Main Site: https://analyse.asia Analyse Asia Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1kkRwzRZa4JCICr2vm0vGl Analyse Asia Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/analyse-asia-with-bernard-leong/id914868245 Analyse Asia YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AnalyseAsia Analyse Asia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/analyse-asia/ Analyse Asia X (formerly known as Twitter): https://twitter.com/analyseasia Analyse Asia Threads: https://www.threads.net/@analyseasia Sign Up for Our This Week in Asia Newsletter: https://www.analyse.asia/#/portal/signup Subscribe Newsletter on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7149559878934540288

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