Comment - The Banker

Guides & Reports

Sage minds search for solutions

As banking leaders prepare to convene in Istanbul, we hear from key players entrenched in the effort to help the world's economy stay out of trouble.

Kofi Annan

Kofi Annan, chair of the Africa Progress Panel and former secretary-general of the UN

Without support from the international community, the economic crisis will cause Africa to fall further behind the developed world and plunge millions into poverty.

Pravin Gordhan

Pravin Gordhan, South Africa's minister of finance

South Africa's finance minister talks about the steps taken to steer his country towards economic recovery.

Bent Flyvbjerg

Bent Flyvbjerg, Professor and Academic director, Oxford University

Evidence suggests that infrastructural stimulus initiatives often detract from the economy in the long term.

Korn Chatikavanij

Korn Chatikavanij, Thailand's Finance minister

The Thai finance minister's belief that the global crisis has presented the country with an opportunity to reshape its economy has seen him unleash plans for greater use of the capital markets, diversified exports and a boost in domestic consumption. Writer Brian Caplen

Sir Winfried Bischoff

Sir Winfried Bischoff, chairman of Lloyds Banking Group

The UK is positioned to play a key role in assisting the development of new and emerging financial centres.

Jóhanna Sigurdardóttir

Jóhanna Sigurdardóttir, prime minister of Iceland

Nowhere was hit as hard by the credit crisis as Iceland, but as the country rebuilds its economy and banking sector, it is determined to learn from this harshest of lessons.

Jacques de Larosière

Jacques de Larosière, Chairman of the Strategic Committee of the French Treasury

There is a meeting of minds around the world on how best to reform the financial system, but enforcing these principles in a consistent way will still be difficult.

Andrés Velasco

Andrés Velasco, Chilean finance minister

Chile's prudent fiscal policies have enabled it to weather the global recession well. The county's finance minister explains the thinking behind them. Writer Jason Mitchell

Caio Koch-Weser and Kevin Parker

Caio Koch-Weser, Vice-chairman, Deutsche bank

Global leaders must find a common policy to tackle climate change, and must do so immediately, regardless of the additional challenges posed by the economic downturn.