NBS Knowledge Lab - AI & the Future of Global Trade

--> 0 % Overview As global trade grows more complex, businesses are grappling with mounting compliance burdens, manual bottlenecks, and the promise—and hype—of AI-driven transformation. This panel brings together practitioners and academics dialling in from across the globe to unpack the real state of trade operations today and where AI genuinely moves the needle.

The conversation opens with an honest look at the operational realities of global trade: the specific friction points in trade compliance, and the on-the-ground complexities of navigating US duty drawback and Free Trade Agreement (FTA) optimisation. From there, panellists turn to AI itself—cutting through hype to assess where it delivers real reliability and value, from large-scale optimisation in heavily regulated environments to how technology builders are using AI internally to accelerate their own product development. The discussion closes by looking ahead: how can businesses in Asia harness these emerging technologies to lead—not just participate—in the next era of global commerce?

Joined by speakers dialling in from different corners of the world, the session closes with an open floor for audience questions.

Eric Tan is an entrepreneur and international trade executive with over 20 years of senior management experience across multinational corporations, FMCG businesses, and global markets in Asia-Pacific and the Americas. He is the Founder and CEO of CWH International and serves as CFO of EUGE Global Remittance, supporting businesses engaged in international trade and cross-border payments. Through his work in trade advisory, operations digitalization, and global payments, Eric focuses on addressing inefficiencies across the supply chain ecosystem, helping organizations improve operational performance, enhance resilience, and unlock significant business value.

Penny Chen is the CEO of Pax, an AI-powered trade compliance solution. She holds a PhD from MIT and was previously research scientists at Amazon and Flexport, where she built algorithms for large-scale optimization problems. At Pax, Penny leads efforts to modernize trade compliance through algorithms and automation. She also advises organizations on how to adopt AI thoughtfully and responsibly in regulated environments.

Associate Professor Tan Joo Seng is Associate Professor of Strategy, International Business & Entrepreneurship at Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological University (NTU). His expertise includes international business, AI-enabled business transformation, digital strategy, and global competitiveness. He has worked with organisations including UOB, PSA, IBM, Shell, Sembcorp, OCBC, and Saudi Aramco, and advises fintech startups in trade finance and supply chain finance. His research and executive education focus on how AI, digital technologies, and geopolitical shifts are transforming global trade and international business. His insights have been featured on Channel News Asia CNA938, The Business Times, Fortune, Singapore Business Review, and regional media. He regularly moderates executive forums that bridge academic research and industry practice.

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