Barclays Asia Forum 2026 Explores Global Economy and Markets
- Marking its 20th year, the Barclays Asia Forum 2026 convened business leaders and investors to examine geopolitical tension, policy uncertainty, and rapid technological change.
- During the event, discussions focused on identifying genuine hazards, evaluating potentially overlooked economic strength, and determining how executives and capital allocators might prepare to capture future prospects.
- Among the other prominent speakers were Barclays Asia Pacific CEO Jaideep Khanna, Bloomberg's Haslinda Yamin, APAC Investment Banking Head Avinash Thakur, and Pushkaraj Gumaste, who serves as Head...
Marking its 20th year, the Barclays Asia Forum 2026 convened business leaders and investors to examine geopolitical tension, policy uncertainty, and rapid technological change. The forum looked beyond the headlines to examine the forces shaping the global economy and markets, empowering attendees with unconventional perspectives for unconventional times.
Global Economy and Market Discussions
During the event, discussions focused on identifying genuine hazards, evaluating potentially overlooked economic strength, and determining how executives and capital allocators might prepare to capture future prospects. Speakers shared perspectives on the evolving policy environment, geopolitical risk, and the outlook for the global economy.
Adeel Khan, Global Head of Markets, opened the forum. Among the other prominent speakers were Barclays Asia Pacific CEO Jaideep Khanna, Bloomberg’s Haslinda Yamin, APAC Investment Banking Head Avinash Thakur, and Pushkaraj Gumaste, who serves as Head of Corporate Banking for APAC & ME alongside his role as Co-Head of Global Treasury Coverage for APAC. Additional sessions featured moderator Martin Soong, Allianz Chief Economic Advisor Mohamed El-Erian, and Ajay Rajadhyaksha, Chairman of Global Research.
Technology and Industry Transformation
Other sessions examined how competition for control of semiconductors is shaping technology, global supply chains, and geopolitical power. Participants also discussed the potential for physical AI and robotics to transform industries, productivity, and growth.
The event also featured regional and functional leadership representation from Angela Liu, CEO China; Yun Zhang, Co-Head of FIC Trading, Asia Pacific and Global Head of MTN & Macro Structured Notes Trading; Masaru Yamada, Head of Japan Distribution; Vikas Bhalotia, Head of Portfolio Management APAC; and Arun Saigal, Head of Investment Banking, India. Samuel Lim, Senior Relationship Management, Asia Pacific, and other guests also attended, alongside a display of an Atlassian Williams F1 car.