Senior figures at the Asian Development Bank explain why their priority is to ensure that the continent's growth benefits all of its population, countering the rising levels of inequality in the region over the past 20 years.
Asia-Pacific
Hong Kong supersedes Singapore in Asian FDI ranking
April 2, 2013Hong Kong overtook Singapore in 2012 as Asia's leading financial centre for inward FDI.
World
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'Abenomics' puts the yen on alert
April 2, 2013A new prime minister and Bank of Japan governor, both apparently working in concert, could signal sustained weakness for the yen. But there are some tough psychological barriers to breach.
Will North Korea ever become an emerging market?
April 2, 2013Despite its isolationist circumstances, North Korea has been developing an informal market economy on the back of its highly educated labour force. But the state's ambivalence about foreign investment and its geopolitical intransigence make it difficult to know how far the inroads made by outside investment can reach.
Opportunities remain amid growing challenges for FX
April 2, 2013Foreign exchange trading volumes were down in 2012 and the cost of operations is rising, but there are signs that 2013 will be a more promising year for banks with the right offering.
Auckland bond finds warm Swiss welcome
March 1, 2013Switzerland might not seem a natural market for a New Zealand municipal bond, but Auckland Council found the Swiss franc market a good fit for its needs.
International banking platforms: the new imperatives
March 1, 2013The economic changes that have taken place over the past few years have forced banks to fine-tune their business and expansion strategies, not just to stay competitive – or regain their competitive advantage – but to also keep abreast with new technologies and changing demands from clients.
Islamic finance in 2013: beyond the growth
March 1, 2013Year upon year, the Islamic finance industry posts stellar growth figures. However, as large Western lenders withdraw from the sector, is Islamic finance in as healthy a shape as the figures suggest? The Banker asks a number of experts in the field what the future holds for sharia-compliant banking.
Philippines central bank governor calls for more of the same
March 1, 2013The healthy state of the Philippines economy is down to a combination of factors, according to the country's central bank governor, Amando Tetangco. He tells The Banker how he is working to emulate 2012's success in 2013 and beyond.
Philippines finance secretary reaps rewards of good governance
March 1, 2013The days of the Philippines being one of Asia's underachievers are looking to be a thing of the past, according to the country's finance secretary, Cesar Purisima. The secret to the island nation's success, he tells The Banker, is good governance and a president that the country can unite behind.