With questions on sustainability and family business legacy, Chavalit Frederick Tsao started a research centre, EWCDC, in Singapore to research sustainability and modernity. EWCDC has published and organised dialogues, and eventually, this work was taken over by OCTAVE Institute.

Chavalit Frederick Tsao, takes over as Chairman of IMC Pan Asia Alliance Corporation. He ponders sustainability questions, his role as a steward, the role of business in society and its impact on sustainability.

Chavalit Frederick Tsao saw that the success or failure of humanity has been about its ability to collaborate or otherwise. He formed IMCPAA with the purpose for business to relook at collaboration and partnership as the way for business sustainability.

The IMC Group relocated its headquarters and dry bulk cargo business from Hong Kong, China to Singapore to establish a new maritime hub for shipowners and operators.

The IMC Group business flourished and obtained a secondary listing on the Singapore Stock Exchange under the name IMC Holdings Ltd. It obtained its primary listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in October 1972.