16th International Conference on The Future of Asia

Speakers and Moderators

Manickam Supperamaniam

Former Ambassador of Malaysia to the WTO

Manickam Supperamaniam@

Born on March 22, 1945
Graduated from the University of Malaya in 1970 with a B.A. (Hons.) degree in Economics. Joined the Malaysian Administrative and Diplomatic Service in October 1970 and was posted to the Ministry of Trade and Industry as Assistant Director. He served in the same Ministry for thirty-three years in various capacities including Director, International Trade and Malaysia's Senior Trade Commissioner to Hong Kong / People's Republic of China. Was appointed as Deputy Secretary - General of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry from 1997 up to 2000. In May, 2000 he was appointed by the Government as Ambassador / Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the World Trade Organisation in Geneva, Switzerland.

While serving the Government Mr. Supperamaniam was charged with the responsibilities and functions relating to the development of international trade policy as well as export promotional strategy. Represented Malaysia at various bilateral regional and international conferences, including Senior Officials Meetings, Summits and Ministerial Conferences of G77, APEC, Indian Ocean Rim Regional Cooperation, UNCTAD and ASEAN. Was assigned a key role in representing Malaysia in various trade negotiations conducted under the auspices of GATT/UNCTAD/WTO/APEC/ASEAN as well as at bilateral level.

Since his official retirement from Government service, he has continued his activity as a resource person / consultant to meetings, workshops and conferences organised by United Nations Agencies, regional and international organisations and foreign governments. He has also been appointed to serve as a member on several national committees of the Government relating to trade and investment policy issues and negotiations.
Currently he is also an Adjunct Professor to the International Islamic University of Malaysia and Visiting Professor at Macao University of Science & Technology (Faculty of Law), as well as Advisor to the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers on WTO and FTA Negotiations.
Recently, he has been appointed as a Member of the National Trade Advisory Council Malaysia, as well as a member of the National Services Development Council and Malaysia's Representative to East Asia Free Trade Agreement Experts Study Group. He is also Permanent Advisor to Asia-Pacific Research Network (Artnet) coordinated by UNESCAP based in Bangkok, Thailand.