Keynote Sessions Asian Economies : The Spatial Perspective The most striking feature of Asia's economic record in the past half-century or so is the pace of sustained growth of many countries across the region. This growth has been substantiated and driven by effective and efficient decision-making. The session would focus on how GIS has provided tools to policy-makers to determine many planning linked variables, which in turn have assisted in actions/policy decisions. The session would delve into the opportunities that the developmental strategies based on GIT offer to major public/ private organizations and how have the economies fared taking the Geo-spatial route. The session would also focus on how the mapping policies are paving the way for economic development. Infrastructure Development and Engineering The distinction between Engineering and GIS tasks has begun to fade out significantly. Processes involving calculations, drafting and research that used be isolated are coming together within the powerful set of graphics, 3D design, spatial databases and information management tools found in GIS. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) offer a powerful way to combine consumer and business data in a geographic framework to help answer questions that have a geographical dimension. GIS is also emerging as a more integrated alternative for engineering design and modeling. The session focuses on GIS-based infrastructure and utility planning, with respect to Asian countries vis-à-vis the convergence of engineering and GIS. Technology Trends The emerging trends in the field of GIS have prominently been in the development of Spatial Data Infrastructure across many countries. An overarching need is also felt for the development of Standards, which is currently undertaken by OGC. The server GIS trends are currently focused on evolving a robust server GIS platform to deliver comprehensive geographic information services through a wide variety of clients and client platforms. The presentations during the session will have perspectives on growth and advancements of all the spatial techniques that Geo-Information domain encompasses - GIS, Satellite Position and Navigation System (SPNS), Remote Sensing, Photogrammetry, LiDAR, and Aerial Photography. ROI in Geo-spatial Technology Applications Spatial database technologies have enabled closer linkages between geography and contemporary businesses. Geo-spatial information offers business analysis in terms of locational qualities, assessing labour markets, potential risk exposure, social, economic and environmental impacts and global trade potentials. Successful GIT applications are designed to support specific business needs of an organization. GIS as part of business performs an important role as an economic and business information intermediary. The talks will focus on the economic feasibility of the application of GIT to variety of business processes or the Return-on-Investment (ROI). Major players from the government and private sector would share their opinions on the subject giving the audience in sight to the issue.