Asia Business Council
Asia Business Council is a Hong Kong-based non-profit founded in 2002 that convenes CEOs and Chairmen of Asian businesses to publish independent policy research, annual surveys, and proprietary indices on economic, trade, sustainability, and technology trends across Asia.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- Headquarters—
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Asia Business Council does
Asia Business Council is a private, membership-based non-profit organization established in 2002, headquartered in Hong Kong and led by Executive Director Mark L. Clifford with a small staff of approximately five employees. It convenes CEOs and Chairmen of predominantly Asian businesses to produce independent policy research, economic analysis, and annual surveys covering topics including economy and trade, sustainability, technology and innovation, urbanization, risk and resilience, public health, and international affairs. The Council has developed two proprietary analytical products — the Asian Index of Artificial Intelligence (AI2, 2017), covering eight Asian economies, and the Asia Manufacturing Diversification Index (2024), covering ten emerging Asian economies — which represent recurring, branded benchmark outputs rather than one-off publications.
The Council's core offerings include the Annual CEO/Chairman Survey (the 2025 edition achieved a 69% response rate), thematic Research Briefings, Special Projects (such as supply chain diversification and Asia-Gulf economic partnerships), and a Bookstore of published works including Clifford's 'The Greening of Asia.' Revenue is generated through membership dues, corporate sponsorships, and event/research collaborations; specific revenue figures are not publicly disclosed. The organization distributes research primarily through its website, PDF publications, and media partnerships including South China Morning Post, and has established collaborative relationships with McKinsey & Company, UNIDO, COP27, SME Climate Hub, the Green Digital Finance Alliance, COVAX, and the Tanoto Center at HKUST. Its geographic scope spans East Asia (Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China), Southeast Asia (Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand), South Asia (India), and the Gulf Cooperation Council (UAE).
Asia Business Council firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Asia Business Council
- Legal name
- Asia Business Council
- Website
- https://asiabusinesscouncil.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Asia Business Council is a Hong Kong-based non-profit founded in 2002 that convenes CEOs and Chairmen of Asian businesses to publish independent policy research, annual surveys, and proprietary indices on economic, trade, sustainability, and technology trends across Asia.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Asia Business Council industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Economic and Business Policy Research
- NAICS
- Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (81399), Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services (541611), Other Management Consulting Services (541618)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), International Affairs (9721)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Technical Committees, Working Groups & Expert Panels (BPADANAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Multilateral Diplomacy & International Representation (UN, Regional Bodies) (BPAIAIAC), Regional/Field Leadership Meetings (Territory/Market Summits) (THAHAMAK)
Keywords
Asia Business Council business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels2 records
Asia Business Council product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Asia Business Council is a non-profit, membership-based research organization that produces annual surveys, thematic research briefings, and special projects focused on economic, trade, sustainability, and policy issues affecting Asian economies. Its work targets CEOs and Chairmen of predominantly Asian businesses and delivers data-driven insights through publications, indices (such as the Asian Index of Artificial Intelligence and the Asia Manufacturing Diversification Index), and policy dialogues.
Product overview
Asia Business Council operates as a research organization offering a portfolio of publications, surveys, and special research projects focused on Asian economic and business analysis. Its core offerings include the Annual Survey (conducted with Asian CEOs and Chairmen), thematic Research Briefings on pressing economic topics, and Special Projects addressing specific regional challenges. Research is organized around nine focus areas spanning economy/trade, human capital, sustainability, technology/innovation, and urbanization. The Council also maintains a Bookstore offering published works such as 'The Greening of Asia.'
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Asia Business Council Annual Survey An annual survey of Asian CEOs and Chairmen that collects sentiment and insights on regional economic conditions, with a 69% response rate recorded for the 2025 survey conducted in July and August 2025.
- Research Briefings In-depth analytical briefings on key economic and business topics affecting Asia, covering aging populations, AI disruption, trade fragmentation, India growth strategies, and Asia-Gulf economic partnerships.
- Special Projects Focused research initiatives addressing specific challenges such as supply chain diversification, climate action, and Asia-Gulf economic partnerships.
- Bookstore Publications Collection of books and publications including 'The Greening of Asia' by Executive Director Mark L. Clifford and other scholarly works on Asian business and economics.
Quantifiable outcome
- 69% survey response rate among Asian CEOs and Chairmen
Companies that use Asia Business Council
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Asia Business Council technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Asia Business Council partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- McKinsey & CompanycoreCollaborative article on perspectives of business leaders in Asia as they navigate an emerging and potentially more turbulent era, covering world order, technology, demographics, resource and energy systems, and financial capitalization.
- COP27 (UN Climate Change Conference)majorAsia Business Council surveyed its members ahead of the COP27 conference on climate action. For the first time in 2022, a separate section was added to the Council's Annual Survey with climate-related questions.
- Confederation of Indian IndustrymajorIn May 2021, members of the Asia Business Council supported the Confederation of Indian Industry in addressing the second wave of the COVID-19 crisis in India.
- COVAXcoreVaccine manufacturers signed advance purchase agreements with multistakeholder network COVAX, which also enjoys the support of corporate donors like Nikkei, TikTok, and HSBC. The Asia Business Council participates in resilience networks supporting this initiative.
- Green Digital Finance AlliancecoreIn June 2021, the Green Digital Finance Alliance launched the 'Every Action Counts' coalition to encourage sustainable consumer behavior through apps like Ant Forest and GCash Forest.
- United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)majorUNIDO engaged more than 70 companies in Vietnam to transform conventional industrial zones into eco-industrial parks, working with the Asia Business Council on networked solutions against the environmental crisis.
- SME Climate HubcoreNetwork of networks encouraging collective action among SMEs as well as multinationals that have made a commitment to halve emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
- Tanoto Center for Asian Family Business and Entrepreneurship at HKUSTmajorPartnership on case studies compendium examining Asian innovation, inclusion, and impact during COVID-19, titled 'Extraordinary Endeavors in Turbulent Times'.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Asia Business Council competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Asia Society: US-headquartered, non-partisan organization focused on policy, business, arts, and education across the Asia-Pacific. Comparable to the Asia Business Council as a high-level business and policy convener serving senior leaders with research and programs.
- McKinsey Global Institute: The research arm of McKinsey & Company publishing global economic and business indices and analyses. Comparable to the Asia Business Council in producing proprietary indices (e.g., AI2 mirrors MGI-style analytical frameworks) and partnering with the Council on joint research.
- Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC): Statutory body promoting Hong Kong's trade and services with a particular Asia focus through research, events, and B2B platforms. Comparable in producing Asia-focused economic research and convening senior business executives.
- Brookings Institution – Asia program: US-based think tank with a dedicated Asia program producing policy research on Asian economies. Comparable as a producer of high-quality economic and policy analysis with similar themes (trade, AI, supply chains, climate).
- Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU): Research and forecasting division of The Economist providing country-level economic and political analysis, including for Asia. Comparable in producing subscription-supported economic intelligence and indices on Asian markets.
- World Economic Forum (WEF) – Asia regional initiatives: International organization for public-private cooperation producing regional economic research and convening chief executives. Comparable to the Asia Business Council in convening global CEOs around Asian policy and economic transformation themes.
Regional players
- Boao Forum for Asia: China-based international conference organization convening heads of state, business leaders, and academics on Asian economic issues. Comparable to the Asia Business Council in its annual high-level convening model and pan-Asian focus, though much larger in scale.
Emerging players
- Asia-Pacific Financial Forum (APFF) / APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC): Asia-Pacific business advisory bodies that represent private-sector views to APEC leaders on regional economic integration. Comparable to the Asia Business Council as business-led advocacy and research entities focused on Asian economic policy.
Direct peers
- Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC): Non-governmental, tripartite forum linking business, government, and academia across the Asia-Pacific. Comparable to the Asia Business Council as an Asia-Pacific policy and business research body convening senior stakeholders.
- ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute: Singapore-based think tank producing research on Southeast Asian political, economic, and security issues. Closely comparable to the Asia Business Council in its region-specific policy research, publications, and convening role.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Asia Business Council social profiles
Digital presenceAsia Business Council financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Asia Business Council leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Asia Business Council funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Asia Business Council M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Asia Business Council
What does Asia Business Council do?
Asia Business Council is a non-profit, membership-based research organization that produces annual surveys, thematic research briefings, and special projects focused on economic, trade, sustainability, and policy issues affecting Asian economies. Its work targets CEOs and Chairmen of predominantly Asian businesses and delivers data-driven insights through publications, indices (such as the Asian Index of Artificial Intelligence and the Asia Manufacturing Diversification Index), and policy dialogues.
Is Asia Business Council a public or private company?
Asia Business Council is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Asia Business Council founded?
Asia Business Council was founded in 2002. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Who are Asia Business Council's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Asia Society, McKinsey Global Institute, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Brookings Institution – Asia program, Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) and World Economic Forum (WEF) – Asia regional initiatives. Boao Forum for Asia is listed as a regional player. Asia-Pacific Financial Forum (APFF) / APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) and ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.
Does Asia Business Council have an API?
No public API is recorded for Asia Business Council.
What industry is Asia Business Council in?
Asia Business Council's product category is Economic and Business Policy Research. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADANAB, Technical Committees, Working Groups & Expert Panels, with a secondary code of BPAIAIAC, Multilateral Diplomacy & International Representation (UN, Regional Bodies). Its NAICS code is 81399 and its SIC code is 8600.