Ben Simpfendorfer is a well-known economist and strategist with expertise in Asia and the Middle East. He started his career in the 1990s in Beirut as a management consultant and later worked in London as a Senior Analyst for Dun & Bradstreet, focusing on commercial and political risk in the Middle East and North Africa. He served as the Chief China Economist for the Royal Bank of Scotland and J.P. Morgan in Hong Kong for over ten years, providing insights into China’s business environment. In 2010, he founded Silk Road Associates, advising major companies on their strategies in Greater China, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. He developed the firm’s SRA Intelligence®, an alternative data and analytics solution. Currently, he is a Partner at Oliver Wyman, leading the Oliver Wyman Forum in Asia Pacific and co-leading the firm’s Asia-Middle East initiative. He has written two influential books, "The New Silk Road" and "The Rise of the New East," which explore China’s commercial relationships and the complexities of the Asian market. His works have been translated into several languages, including Chinese. Ben is recognized as an expert on China’s Belt and Road Initiative and has advised the Chinese government through the Foreign Experts Committee. He often shares his insights on Bloomberg and CNBC. He also serves on the boards of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and PBEC, one of Asia’s oldest business organizations. Fluent in Mandarin and Arabic, Ben regularly delivers keynotes and participates in advisory roles, including on the advisory board of the Institute of Supply Management in Hong Kong. His extensive experience in Asian and Middle Eastern markets has established him as a leading figure in economics and strategy.