Bharrat Jagdeo, Guyana's president
Guyana's president laments the lack of consideration for smaller countries among the G-20 nations, and calls for a change in the relationship between international financial institutions and countries such as his. Writer Brian Caplen
Ralph Gonsalves, St Vincent and Grenadines prime minister
The currency union of the Organisation of East Caribbean States is eyeing additional members and full economic union status. The prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines ponders the future of the OECS and its impact on the wider Caricom group of countries. Writer Brian Caplen
At their annual meeting last month, the Caricom heads of state struggled to make headway on trade and immigration restrictions, although one issue which was met with unanimity was climate change.
On top of the economic slowdown, Trinidad has other matters to contend with, including the government bail-out of its largest insurance company, Clico, and the acquisition of its second largest bank, RBTT, by Royal Bank of Canada. Writer Brian Caplen
Formerly constricted by its traditional public sector mould, India's Bank of Baroda has reinvented itself with a branding overhaul and a forward-thinking realignment of its business model. Writer Brian Caplen
Banks in Azerbaijan have been remote from the global financial market turmoil but are readying themselves for a fall in economic output at home, due to the country's reliance on oil revenues. Writer Michael Imeson
In May, The Banker examined the fate of Kazakhstan's fallen giant, Bank BTA. The Kazakh banks that have stayed solvent now explain their recovery strategies. Writer Philip Alexander
Despite an adverse response from the bank's military depositors and a sharp recession in Turkey, ING Bank's CEO is planning for growth once the economy turns around. Writer Metin Demirsar
Demonstrating the merits of the co-operative structure, The Netherlands' Rabobank has performed stronger in the crisis than many commercial banks enticed by high-profit yet high-exposure investment banking practices. Writer Brian Caplen
Portugal's traditionally cautious approach to banking with a strong leaning towards public investment is being recognised by other countries as an effective, if temporary, approach during the current downturn. Writer Peter Wise
