Phuket served as the backdrop for the inaugural Business Icons of Asia 2026, organized by Team Marksmen Network, amidst a global economy undergoing major adjustments due to geopolitical factors. As Asia positions itself as a vital growth region, the event emphasized the necessity for a new wave of leadership that transcends individual markets, focusing instead on shared opportunities and collective resilience. The theme for the celebration was ‘Asia Ascendant: Leadership, Trade & Trust in a Multipolar World.’ This prestigious forum brought together over 20 elite speakers and more than 100 top business leaders from across Asia, creating a unique platform to map out the region’s future growth trajectory.
Rishi Kapoor, CEO & Director of Team Marksmen Network, commenced the event with an inspiring speech highlighting Asia’s proactive role in global changes. He stated, ‘Asia is not a region that is responding to change; it is writing some of its own. The leaders we honour tonight understand that the most durable currency in business is not capital; it is trust.’ This perspective was further elaborated in a discussion with CP Gurnani, Co-Founder & Vice Chairman of AIONOS.
Raywat Areerob, Chief Executive of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization, attended as the Chief Guest, with Anuparph Vachvanichsanong, Deputy Chief Executive, serving as the Special Guest. Vachvanichsanong remarked on Phuket’s historical significance in trade, emphasizing that ‘the foundation of growth remains the same: trust, openness, and the willingness to see across a border or a sea and say, ‘Let us build something together.’’
The event featured an impactful panel discussion titled ‘Trade, Trust & Transformation: Strengthening Asia’s Economic Core,’ which included Dr. Kengkran Louvirojanakul from B2G Solutions, Michael Kenner of FazWaz, Prinn Panitchpakdi from Four Seasons Advisory, and Suresh Venkatachari from QuantumNexis. The dialogue centered on the importance of regulatory frameworks and trust in ensuring regional stability. Additional insights were provided by Sanjay Jain from PDS Limited and Hrishi Gandhi from LEAP India Ltd, focusing on cross-market synergies and adapting to ongoing shifts in various Asian markets.
Prof. Dr. Kriengsak Chareonwongsak, Chairman of the Nation-Building International Institute, presented a masterclass on ‘Leadership for Tomorrow,’ urging the audience to consider Asia’s responsibilities in the global context. He stated, ‘Asia must think of itself not merely as a region of growth, but as a Region of Responsibility. In a multipolar world, trust is not just a virtue; it is hard strategic power.’
The evening culminated in a gala ceremony honoring the pioneers of Asia’s transformation. Awards were presented in two categories: the Legacy of Excellence Honor, which acknowledged historical figures, and the Business Icons of Asia, celebrating current leaders making significant impacts.
Recipients of the Legacy of Excellence Honor included Brig Dr. Arvind Lal, Anand Rathi, C.P. Gurnani, and Prof. Kriengsak Chareonwongsak. Meanwhile, those recognized as Business Icons of Asia included Abhishek Mishra, Arvind Mehta, Dipali Goenka, Dr. Kengkran Louvirojanakul, Dr. Rajiv I. Modi, Dr. Sanjeev Seth, Kavita Verma, Ketan Patel, Nitesh Bansal, Prinn Panitchpakdi, Sachin Seth, Sanjay Gupta, Sanjay Jain, Shashwat Sharma, Shri Madan Mohan Mohanka, Shrikanti Nilange, Sunu Mathew, and Suresh Venkatachari.
The event successfully illustrated the impactful contributions of leaders committed to advancing Asia’s status in the global arena, concluding with a networking dinner that strengthened trust-based partnerships vital for a progressive multipolar world.
Source: Marksmen Daily
