Labuan IBFC, together with ITMC Fiduciary Limited, Etiqa Offshore Insurance (L) Ltd and ICBC Bank, will host an exclusive masterclass entitled “Navigating Regional Trade: Leveraging Labuan IBFC for Commodity Trading, Leasing, Financing & Risk Solutions” on 20 October in Kuching, Malaysia exploring how businesses can leverage Labuan IBFC as a strategic platform for commodity trading, leasing, banking, trade financing and risk management.
As businesses navigate increasingly complex cross-border supply chains, financing requirements and emerging risks, having the right structure, financial solutions and risk management strategies in place is becoming increasingly important. This masterclass will provide participants with practical insights into how Labuan IBFC can support businesses looking to expand their regional and international operations while strengthening their financial and risk management capabilities.
The session will begin with an overview of Labuan IBFC and its key offerings relevant to commodity trading, leasing, financing and risk management, followed by practical perspectives from industry experts on establishing and conducting business through the jurisdiction.
Participants will gain insights into commodity trading and leasing structures, including the relevant requirements and how ITMC Fiduciary Limited can support companies seeking to establish and operate their trading or leasing activities through Labuan IBFC.
Etiqa Offshore Insurance (L) Limited will also examine how captive insurance and Protected Cell Company (PCC) structures can be incorporated into a broader corporate risk management strategy, with practical applications for commodity trading businesses and Sarawak-based companies seeking solutions to manage supply chain disruptions, business interruption and other specific exposures.
Complementing the structuring and risk management discussions, ICBC Bank will share perspectives on banking solutions for commodity traders and businesses utilising captive insurance or PCC structures, including account opening considerations and potential trade financing facilities.
Speakers
-
Farah Jaafar, Global Advisor, Straits Investment Bank
Farah Jaafar, Global Advisor, Straits Investment Bank
Farah Jaafar is Global Advisor at Straits Investment Bank, where she contributes to the bank’s cross-border expansion efforts, regional strategy, and next-generation product innovation across private and institutional banking. She also currently serves as Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit & Risk Management Committee at Webull Securities (Malaysia), as well as a Board Director of Tyndall Insurance, licensed by the Labuan Financial Services Authority, where she supports the growth of trade credit insurance for SMEs.
Among other roles, Farah previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Labuan IBFC Inc., as well Vice President and later Advisor to the Fintech Association of Malaysia. Her distinctive mix of regulatory insight, financial market leadership, strategic communications, and ecosystem building gives her a 360 degree view of the evolving financial landscape. -
Ben Quah, Chief Executive Officer, Labuan IBFC Inc.
Ben Quah, Chief Executive Officer, Labuan IBFC Inc.
Ben Quah is the Chief Executive Officer of Labuan IBFC Inc., appointed to lead the jurisdiction’s next phase of growth as a premier international business and financial centre. With more than 20 years of experience in fintech, digital marketing, and regional business development across Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, and Singapore, he has built a strong track record in market expansion, ecosystem development, and cross-border collaboration.
Ben has led multi-jurisdictional platform launches, scalable growth programmes, and strategic partnerships with regulators, financial institutions, and technology providers. Recognised for his strategic clarity and values-driven leadership, he is focused on enhancing Labuan IBFC’s value proposition, strengthening engagement with key markets, and driving opportunities in wealth management, captive insurance, fintech, and Islamic finance to support sustainable, long-term growth. -
Serene Liaw, Deputy Director, Strategic Planning & Investor Relations, Labuan IBFC Inc.
Serene Liaw, Deputy Director, Strategic Planning & Investor Relations, Labuan IBFC Inc.
Serene Liaw is the Deputy Director of Strategic Planning & Investor Relations Unit of Labuan IBFC Inc., leading the market development initiatives to expand Labuan IBFC's presence in identified international markets and oversees the Labuan IBFC China Desk, which facilitates the establishment of Chinese-funded companies in the Labuan International Business and Financial Centre (Labuan IBFC). Labuan IBFC Inc. is the jurisdiction’s official market development agency and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Labuan Financial Services Authority (Labuan FSA).
Prior to joining Labuan IBFC Inc., Serene was with Labuan FSA for over 10 years, where she headed the Business Policy Unit. Her hands-on experience as a regulator in policy formulation and international tax compliance has given her a deep understanding of financial solutions as well as a solid foundation in the promotion and market development initiatives of Labuan IBFC. Labuan FSA is the statutory regulatory authority for Labuan IBFC, under the purview of Ministry of Finance, Malaysia. -
Ray Tam, Co-founder, Raffles Family Office & Chief Executive Officer, Revo Digital Family Office
Ray Tam, Co-founder, Raffles Family Office & Chief Executive Officer, Revo Digital Family Office
As Co-Founder of Raffles Family Office, Ray plays a pivotal role in shaping the firm's long-term strategic direction. He has led key growth initiatives, driving business expansion and innovation.
Recognizing the underserved demand in the digital assets space, Ray spearheaded the creation of Revo Digital Family Office and serves as its Chief Executive Officer. As a dedicated digital asset brand under RFO, Revo is Asia’s first digital multi-family office. Ray envisions Revo as a transformative force in wealth management, delivering tailored digital asset solutions for ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, so that they can confidently grow, secure and pass on their wealth in a rapidly changing financial world.
Ray has over 15 years of experience in private banking and leadership, having held senior positions at BNP Paribas and Standard Chartered Bank, where he managed global multi-asset portfolios for numerous Asian and European families of international renown. -
Vivien Khoo, Chief Executive Officer / Managing Director, Private Wealth Management Association
Vivien Khoo, Chief Executive Officer / Managing Director, Private Wealth Management Association
Vivien is the Chief Executive Officer of Private Wealth Management Association (“PWMA”) with close to three decades of experience in wealth management, digital assets, crypto research, compliance and regulatory oversight.
Vivien spent close to two decades at Goldman Sachs, where she was the Managing Director of Goldman Sachs’ Asia Pacific Ex-Japan Compliance division. At Goldman Sachs, Vivien was involved in various market and regulatory reforms, she was also an ex regulator at the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission
earlier on in her career.
After a long career in senior compliance and regulatory roles, Vivien moved into the digital asset industry in 2019 where she was the Global Chief Operating Officer and Interim Chief Executive Officer at a leading crypto derivatives exchange. She also held senior roles at various major digital wealth management and crypto firms. Vivien serves on HKSAR Government Stablecoin Review Tribunal, and the Regulatory Subcommittee of the Task Force on Promoting Web3 Development, chaired by the Financial Secretary with participation of key government officials and financial regulators.
As a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, Vivien was a key sponsor for female programs at different levels during her time at Goldman Sachs. She is the founder of W3W (Web3Women) and co-founder of SatoshiWomen, both of which provide education, inspiration and connections to women interested in digital assets.
Date:
20 October 2026
(Tuesday)
Time:
2.30PM - 5.30PM
Address:
Hilton Kuching
Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman,
93100 Kuching,
Sarawak, Malaysia
