As Maybank and CIMB encroach on each other’s strongholds, there is one area that looks large enough to accommodate them and others – Islamic banking. Karina Robinson, in Kuala Lumpur, reports.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore is beefing up its banking laws, but the city state’s bankers do not seem to be complaining, writes Michael Imeson.

Temasek Holdings, owned by the Singapore finance ministry, is spreading its wings in Asia, expanding its portfolio of financial services and banking assets. Simon Montlake reports.

Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore’s prime minister, tells Karina Robinson that the city state’s continued success depends on self-betterment of the unskilled.

In the face of intensifying pressure on Taiwan’s external relations from a rising China, as shown by the August 6 break in ties with oil-rich Chad, Foreign Minister James Huang shares his views about the country’s external strategy with Dennis Engbarth.

While China persuades countries to break diplomatic ties with Taiwan, Taipei may be changing its attitude to how it counts its allies while formulating a strategy to reverse its political isolation. Dennis Engbarth reports.

Dr Thaksin Shinawatra, caretaker prime minister of Thailand, explains his government’s new development paradigm that sees its staple industries of tourism and agribusiness in the rural and urban areas growing together while at the same time diversifying, and focusing on creating value.

Azerbaijan is having to balance the demands of the poor with those of cautious economists when it comes to managing its soaring oil wealth. Nick Kochan explains.

As the Asian banking sector has grown, so too have the Tier 1 capital, total assets and pre-tax profits of the top 200 players. Terry Baker-Self analyses the rankings.

The key to unlocking Asia’s full potential in the global economy is to accelerate integration and co-operation within the region and internationally, writes Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz.