Indonesia’s finance minister Agus Martowardojo was The Banker’s Finance Minister of the Year 2012, global and Asia-Pacific. He explains the economic polices behind the country's impressive growth.
Asia-Pacific
Global banks go back to basics
March 1, 2012Investors appear to have lost confidence in diversified cross-border banking models, forcing banks to decide what they do best.
Will outside events hinder Malaysia's reform plans?
February 1, 2012Malaysia is going through a period of transformation as the government seeks to push the country to developed nation status. The ambitious economic goals, however, are being tested by events further afield and observers are questioning to what degree Malaysia’s growth will be impacted by the troubles of the eurozone.
The rise of the East does not mean the fall of the West
January 3, 2012There is a feeling in some circles that as the East rises, the West must simultaneously decline. But why? Rising prosperity in Asia means more opportunities for businesses and banks in North America and Europe, and the only ones to suffer will be those who continue to think along 'East versus West' lines.
The renminbi takes the slow path to internationalisation
January 3, 2012The increasing might of China over the past decade has not been reflected in its currency. In 2010, China's share of world trade was 11.4%, while the renminbi's share in world payments was a mere 0.24%. The currency's route to internationalisation look set to be more marathon than sprint.
ICBC bond issue helps BarCap strengthen its Asia ambitions
January 3, 2012When China's biggest bank, ICBC, launched its first dollar bond issue, it offered investors a rare opportunity of direct exposure to the mainland banking system. There was no shortage of interest. Along with UBS and ICBC's own investment arm, Barclays Capital landed the role of global co-ordinator, helping BarCap cement its Asian standing.
China makes the first move in regulatory reform
January 3, 2012The Chinese banking sector may have emerged relatively unscathed from the financial crisis, but regulatory reform is still high on its agenda, meaning that the China Banking Regulatory Commission has been keen to stay one step ahead of the game by introducing a new set of regulatory standards in the first half of 2011, which placed a strict emphasis on liquidity.
Asia's quiet giant comes to the fore
January 3, 2012Despite being the fourth most populous country in the world, Indonesia's growth story is often overshadowed by that of its Asian peers, China and India. The country's potential has not been lost on the international banking community, however, which is slowly but surely upping its presence in this vast and highly unbanked archipelago.
Asian banks search for a new financial model
January 3, 2012With the West’s financial collapse in 2008, Asia’s banking systems are in search of a new regulatory model. They are keen that their financial sectors should not dominate the real economy.
Maturity brings diversification to the renminbi bond market
January 3, 2012The offshore renminbi bond market has seen a surge of issuance in the past year, with bankers predicting that 2012 will be even busier. This does not mean an easy ride for borrowers, however, with investors expecting higher yields as they no longer buy into the market solely on the basis of the strengthening currency.