Page 9 - Forbes - Asia (October 2019)

SIDELINES

People Power

orbes has long focused on people, and the
power of individuals in building companies,
creating wealth and powering economies. The
Ftwo lists in this issue amply demonstrate this
approach. The first is the rebooted Asia’s Power Busi-
nesswomen list, with a new group of 25 women from
around Asia. The second is the list of the Philippines’
50 richest people. Both lists show how individuals can
make a difference in the business community.
The 25 women listed provide
inspiration to all of us. The list
was composed to include those
on the rise as well as firmly
established. All of them will help es a generational shift underway worldwide. The im-
shape the future of business in mediate postwar period, from 1945 onward, was when
Asia. Thanks go to Rana Wehbe, many of Asia’s rich listers created their fortunes, while
Rana Wehbe Senior Editor-Special Projects, for still in their 20s and 30s.
editing this list. Now their children are ascending as this original
Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao is a fitting generation grows older, and succession becomes not
example of the ideals embodied in Asia’s Power just a plan but a reality. To explore this topic, Forbes
Businesswomen. Thao is the only woman in the history Asia in late September held its annual Next Tycoons
of aviation to have created and run her own major event in Singapore, attended by about 130 members of
commercial airline, and is also the richest self-made the next generation of business leaders, both men and
businesswoman in Southeast Asia. The fact that she did women. They are now moving into positions of power
this in Vietnam, an emerging market, is all the more to lead their family businesses (or starting their own).
remarkable. Her airline, Vietjet, is now expanding to Telling the stories of businesswomen and the next
become a regional competitor, and she aims one day to generation will provide plenty of fodder for content
operate it on a global scale. in Forbes Asia, and reason to keep enjoying it in print,
Moving to the Philippines, this year’s list has a events or online. As always, comments are most
major turnover of names. Here the change showcas- welcome at editor@forbesasia.com.

Justin Doebele

Editor, Forbes Asia

OCTOBER 2019 FORBES ASIA | 7