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The number of bonds traded electronically in Asia is soaring, with Bloomberg's system dominating. But as more banks eye the market the financial services company's dominance could soon be threatened. Richard Morrow reports.

Indonesia's new president will face immediate demands to boost economic growth. Though Indonesia's fiscal affairs are in order, corruption, weak corporate governance and an inadequate legal system are stymieing its performance writes Richard Morrow.

After slogging through the World Bank's World Development Report for 2005, one has to say they got a lot wrong. It's true that private investment is the only way to wipe out poverty quickly, and therefore the investment climate in a country matters to the well being of its populace. The Bank also rightly points out that business must not be allowed to hijack a country's resources. But by trying to rank countries using a flawed methodology the Bank may unwittingly be channelling investment to the wrong countries, and delaying the eradication of poverty in other countries.

It may be a mug's game, but predicting end of year stock indices still matters to fund managers who are trying to decide which markets and stocks to target. Ben Davies looks at who got it right and wrong since 1989 and why crystal ball gazing is getting tougher.

Dear Readers, Bank Mandiri is very pleased to be a sponsor of this special Asiamoney supplement, Invest in Indonesia 2004.

Investors have had a turbulent time over the past 15 years in Asia. Some have come out bloodied and battered, while others hit the jackpot. Seven top investors spoke to Asiamoney about the key events for investors in the region, where they see the markets moving, and how they have survived this utterly unique market. Joanne Gray reports.

The Indonesian government is doing what it can to attract desperately needed foreign investment. It is a pity the courts keep messing it up. Nick Parsons reports.

Investors that are prepared to take a long-term view on Indonesia believe it offers attractive returns and good opportunities. Asiamoney spoke with three investors and one analyst for their views on where the money is flowing, the impact of this year's elections, which sectors offer the most potential and how they are dealing with liquidity issues.

Which institutions have moved up and which ones have moved down in the debt, equity and M&A league tables?

Seated in an office in western-veneered Hong Kong or Singapore, it's easy to be glib about progress in Asia. Over the past 15 years, how much has Asia really changed? There has been one constant over the years: whether it is Hong Kong real estate, dotcom bombs, red chips or Indonesian junk bonds, Asia is a bubble junkie and its markets are correspondingly flaky and volatile. Its headlong pursuit from rags to riches created the bubble of all bubbles--the 1997 financial crisis--the single most significant financial event of the last 15 years in the region.

Japanese state-owned companies are lining up to launch IPOs after the strong success of J-Power's debut share issue.

A report by Ernst & Young