Gold as a Haven Asset Class and an Effective Diversification Tool

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In the face of turmoil brought by the financial crisis, investors wonder whether it is a good opportunity to put their money as an inflation hedge or as an effective diversification tool.  The speakers will share their views and insights with you.  Here are some highlights:

Mr Albert Cheng

Managing Director, Far East

World Gold Council

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Albert Cheng joined the World Gold Council, Singapore regional office in March 1993 as a Regional Manager, Planning and Business Development, Far East, becoming Managing Director, Far East in 2003 with responsibility for operations in the entire region. His career in gold marketing began in July, 1985 when he joined the Royal Canadian Mint as a Manager for South East Asia. His responsibilities include market development, regional sales and promotional support activities for the Mint's numismatic and Maple Leaf family of bullion products. In April 1990, he was promoted to Regional Manager, Asia Pacific with added responsibility in Japan and Korea as well. In 1991, Mr. Cheng had taken up additional responsibility as to help the International Olympic Committee, Centennial Coin Programme to build up the distribution network in Asia Pacific and to market and promote these coins throughout the region. A graduate of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Mr. Cheng holds a degree in Business Administration with a major in Marketing; he is also member of the CAM in U.K.

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Mr Sammy Yip

Head of Exchange Trade Funds, Asia Pacific

State Street Global Advisorsˇ@

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Sammy Yip is Vice President of State Street Global Advisors and Head of Exchange Traded Funds, Asia-Pacific at SSgA Asia Limited. He heads up SSgA's exchange traded funds (ETFs) business in Asia region by developing and promoting ETFs. Sammy also acts as a technical advisor for SSgA sub-advised ETFs in China, Taiwan and Korea. Prior to his current role, Sammy was Head of Global Structured Products, Asia ex-Japan at SSgA Asia where he managed a team of portfolio managers in indexing and structured products strategies. Sammy also managed the investment portfolios of SSgA's ETFs in Hong Kong and Singapore. Before joining State Street in 1999, Sammy previously worked in Canada at Royal Bank of Canada Financial Group, where he started his career in the financial industry. Sammy holds a B.Com. in Commerce and Finance from University of Toronto. He has also earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Sammy is a member of TSEC Taiwan Index Series Advisory Committee.ˇ@