Evolving backdrop raises questions over capital controls

March 21, 2011

Massive capital flows into Asia led many Asian countries to introduce capital controls and other mechanisms in a bid to stem flows and limit rising currency valuations. However, rising inflation and talk of interest rate rises have raised fears about slowing growth, leading to money flowing the other way. 

Dollar and yuan both hold the answer to global imbalances

March 18, 2011

The senior researcher for China’s government-backed think-tank on international economics says the US dollar needs to share the burden of being a global trade and reserve currency.

Top 10 Chinese regions by ROA

March 16, 2011

Which Chinese regions have the most potential for investors? Click here to find out.

Dong decline

All eyes on Vietnam as the bear bites

March 15, 2011

The Vietnamese government's campaign against inflation promises to rivet international attention on the country’s economic stability and development path in the run-up to the Asian Development Bank annual meeting in Hanoi in early May. 

Foreign exchange report

Asia fails to balance currency and inflationary pressures

March 15, 2011

Asian policy-makers have been trying to balance currency management with controlling inflation. Rising inflation and rising currencies suggest policy makers have failed to get the balance right.

Cross-border financial trading within Asean remains difficult

Capital market fragmentation hinders Asean progress

March 14, 2011

The Association of South-east Asian Nations has made greater strides in achieving a cultural unity than it has with its capital markets. Only when this issue is tackled will this bloc of 10 countries realise its economic potential. 

Renminbi takes the slow road to domination

March 10, 2011

The battle over the valuation of the Chinese renminbi has often been characterised by vitriolic debate and has seen a titanic clash between Washington and Beijing about the right level for the currency and the speed of appreciation. But efforts to internationalise the renminbi are already taking effect.

Singapore’s challenge as a financial centre

February 18, 2011

Singapore is the world’s third highest ranked International Finance Centre, according to The Banker’s 2010 ranking. But in these days of volatile capital flows and worries about bank safety, how should a small country manage itself as an IFC so as to maximise the benefits and minimise the risk? 

Investors savour dim sum market

February 16, 2011

China is using the Hong Kong-based 'dim sum' market to develop its offshore renminbi bond sector and push the local currency onto the international stage. There is a huge pool of liquidity keen to invest and although it must face the typical hurdles of any nascent market, the signs are good

Florian Schmidt, managing director and head of debt capital markets, for Asia, ING Bank

Asian local-currency bonds move centre stage

February 16, 2011

Asia's bond markets are the largest outside the US and Europe. National markets vary enormously but most are growing rapidly, driven by huge pools of onshore liquidity and by the desire of Asian companies to plan and fund long-term. And local banks are taking an ever bigger slice of the business.

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