Singapore’s Indian professional community came together in style on Aug 21 and 22, as the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) Singapore Chapter hosted the first ICAI International Conference dedicated entirely to the ASEAN region.
Held under the theme “Beyond Borders” and anchored on ICAI’s W.I.S.E. framework, standing for Women Empowerment, Integrated Well-Being, Sustainability, and Enabling AI, the two-day event drew more than 400 chartered accountants, business leaders and professionals from India, Singapore and across the wider ASEAN community, with a rare mix of energy, pride and purpose in the gathering.
The opening afternoon’s biggest draw was undoubtedly Mr Piyush Goyal, India’s Minister for Commerce and Industry, who arrived to a rousing welcome from delegates.
He was received by ICAI President Prasanna Kumar D, ICAI Vice-President Mangesh Kinare and Singapore Chapter Chairperson Sanjay Gattani, before joining them and other dignitaries on stage for the ceremonial lamp-lighting that formally opened the conference, a moment of reflection before two days of dialogue and celebration got underway.
In his special address, Minister Goyal spoke at length about India’s growing role in the global economy, pointing to continued economic growth, investment-led reforms, and the country’s deepening integration with global markets.
He told the packed hall of accounting professionals that as India’s ties with the world economy grow stronger, so too do the opportunities and responsibilities that come their way, a message that resonated strongly with a room full of chartered accountants navigating an increasingly global profession.
He also reaffirmed India’s commitment to building partnerships rooted in shared growth and prosperity, framing the profession’s future as one intertwined with the country’s own economic journey.
Following his remarks, the minister unveiled ICAI Singapore Chapter’s commemorative coffee table book, a keepsake capturing the chapter’s journey and this landmark gathering, ahead of his departure.
The day’s keynote sessions carried the conference’s global theme forward with equal energy. Mr Prasanna spoke on globalising the chartered accountancy profession, and outlined his vision for a boundaryless profession.
He was followed by Mr Mangesh, who turned attention to the growing role of artificial intelligence in the profession, and the accountability that must come with it.
Ms Jocelyn Goh, Vice-President of the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA), reflected on the strong and longstanding ties between the Singapore and Indian institutes.
Mr Sanjay opened the Conference, welcoming the Indian minister and the other dignitaries. He also articulated the larger vision behind the conference, positioning Singapore as a gateway to ASEAN and highlighting the immense opportunities emerging across the region.
Building on the conference theme of “Beyond Borders”, Mr Sanjay spoke about the need for Indian professionals to look beyond traditional markets and engage more deeply with ASEAN’s expanding ecosystem of trade, talent, technology and investment.
Dr Ankur Aggarwal, Chairman and Founder of the BNW Group, rounded off the keynote block with a session on structuring modern real estate, drawing on his own journey from the profession into industry.
The afternoon’s energy did not let up. A keynote on leadership and personal excellence reminded delegates that leading organisations and economies begins with leading oneself.
This was followed by a fireside chat on ASEAN’s role as a confluence of trade, talent and technology, with a panel featuring senior ICAI Central Council Members and business leaders from across the region.
As evening fell, the mood shifted from boardroom to ballroom. Delegates continued their conversations over cocktails and a gala dinner, before singer Neeraj Shridhar and his band took over the stage, delivering a high-energy performance that had the room up on its feet and dancing well into the night, a joyful, fitting close to a truly historic first day.
Day Two, held at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, turned to fresher, forward-looking themes. The morning opened with a panel on artificial intelligence’s growing role in finance and strategy, followed by a wellness-focused session on mental resilience, physical vitality and sustainable performance, a welcome pause amid a packed schedule.
The pre-lunch programme wrapped up with a lively panel on “prof-preneurship,” exploring how professionals, without necessarily starting a company, can think and build with an entrepreneurial mindset.
The second day also saw a special moment of recognition for ICAI’s global footprint. Chapter leaders from across the world, including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the UK, the US, Ireland, Bahrain, Qatar and the Netherlands, were invited on stage to be felicitated, a quiet nod to the work they do in building the profession far beyond Singapore’s shores. For many in the room, it was a reminder that ICAI today is as much a global institution as it is an Indian one.
Reflecting on the conference, Mr Sanjay said: “Events like this open doors for our members into a more globalised market. They give our professionals a platform to connect with peers across ASEAN and beyond, to learn from different markets, and to see firsthand how the skills they have built in Singapore and India can translate into opportunities across the region. This is about more than just a conference. It is about creating pathways for our community to grow, to collaborate, and to lead on a global stage.”
For Singapore’s Indian chartered accountancy community, this conference was more than just another professional gathering. It was a proud and historic first, and a fitting reminder of how far, and how confidently, the profession has grown beyond borders.
