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Philippine golden boy Lito Camacho is suddenly under scrutiny following a large budget deficit shortfall and the controversial timing of the republic's March 2009 bond. Matthew Montagu-Pollock speaks to the finance minister and JPMorgan, theunderwriter of the deal.

Policy change boosts China A-shares... for how long?

Taiwan M&A activity lacks substance

What do you know about SG in Asia? Possibly this: strength in complex specialist areas, such as equity derivatives, project finance and securitization; and beyond that, little else. That's how we saw SG, anyway, and our first question to its recently appointed Asia Pacific CEO, Michel Macagno, was whether that description was fair. Macagno, an endlessly smiling presence throughout the interview, doesn't ever look too upset or irritated, but it's clear he doesn't like the ‘specialist areas' label. “We have a number of strengths, and you just mentioned some of them, but what we are aiming for is to move to a more integrated platform in Asia,” he says. (Like many in his position, he uses phrases like “integrated platform” and “solution-based approach” an awful lot.) “We are moving to a solution-based approach to avoid exactly what you said – a product-driven approach,” he says. “We are strong in products but what we want to deliver is a client solution.”

Minister Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti is the coordinating minister for economic affairs for Indonesia. Within that remit comes a range of challenges and issues – most recently the delayed Bank Niaga sale, the fines levied against parties to the Indomobil sale, the continuing battles of IBRA against bad debts, and the effect of the Manulife judgment on foreign investor sentiment. In a roundabout way, he shares his views with Chris Wright in Jakarta

Three of Japan's ailing banks have been bought by foreign funds over the past three years. Some bankers talk of the huge money these funds are bound to make from their investments. Others doubt the commitment of the overseas investors, and fear it will be ‘IPO then goodbye'. Fiona Haddock reports.

The importance of the world's first-ever international Islamic bond is hard to overestimate. Matthew Montagu-Pollock reports on the landmark government of Malaysia deal that has launched the international Islamic financial market.

Four Hong Kong issuers have found a new, cheap source of funding in the retail bond market. In this economic environment the possibilities seem endless – but issuers must be prepared for weak liquidity. Chris Wright reports.

Philippine golden boy Lito Camacho is suddenly under scrutiny following a large budget deficit shortfall and the controversial timing of the republic's March 2009 bond. Matthew Montagu-Pollock speaks to the finance minister and JPMorgan, theunderwriter of the deal.

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