The republic’s finance minister, Vicente Bengoa, talks to The Banker about economic strategy.

Leonel Fernández, president of the Dominican Republic, talks to Jules Stewart about the government’s activities to improve the lives of citizens.

Alan Duerden speaks to Mike Lazaridis on the accountability, back-up and security capabilities incorporated into the latest generation of BlackBerry smartphones targeted at the small and medium-sized office.

ICBC chairman Jiang Jianqing talks to The Banker about the Chinese market, the bank’s recent growth and its long-term strategy to become an international player.

Chalongphob Sussangkarn took over as Thailand’s minister of finance in March, following the resignation of his predecessor Pridiyathorn Devakula. A former president of independent economic think-tank the Thailand Development Research Institute, he is a key player in the interim government that was installed last year after a military coup. He spoke to Simon Montlake in Bangkok.

Colombia’s president Álvaro Uribe has a lot of support and criticism as he faces huge challenges in his second term. Karina Robinson reports.

After pursuing a strategy of investing in less-developed Asian markets, ANZ is set to enjoy the fruits of its labours as these markets grow. Virginia Marsh reports.

At HSH Nordbank, CEO Hans Berger is too busy preparing for an IPO to be concerned about the debate over Landesbanken consolidation or what role his bank could play in it.

In the debate on whether German Landesbanken should consolidate further, Hannes Rehm is Siegfried Jaschinski’s ideological opponent. While he does not rule out further consolidation in the sector, Mr Rehm, who has a PhD in economics, sees no pressing need for it, arguing that the three-pillar system has adequately financed corporate Germany.

What is ironic about Mr Jaschinski is how different he is from the way in which the German press has portrayed him.