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The region's investors are sticking to their guns: Merrill Lynch is still the best brokerage in Asia and Jardine Fleming (now Chase JF), CLSA and UBS Warburg still provide the keenest competition. By Olivia Chow and Robert Law.

SJ Wong is the driving force behind e2-Capital Venture Group, an Asia-based investment banking company with a broad-reaching agenda.

The high-profile collapse of talks between Ford Motor and Daewoo Motor in mid-September underscores Renault's successful manoeuvring in clinching its deal with Samsung Motors. Negotiations between the French automobile manufacturer and Samsung, which took nearly a year to conclude, hinged on persuading creditor banks and Samsung to accept an equity position in a joint venture. The banks, naturally, just wanted all their money back. And Samsung was said to want to divest totally. But Renault was keen to keep Samsung and the creditor banks involved, believing this would ensure the long-term viability of the carmaker. Stuart Mowbray of SG Securities, which advised Renault on the acquisition, says: “Renault didn't just want to buy assets and see everyone walk away. We had to have the assets up and operating again and there were strong benefits in making sure that the support of all parties was continued.”

SJ Wong is the driving force behind e2-Capital Venture Group, an Asia-based investment banking company with a broad-reaching agenda.

It's coming round to that time of year again, reports Matthew Montagu-Pollock. Time for financiers to reassess whether their firms are truly meeting career aspirations. Time to consider if there may be more scope, more congenial colleagues, and (heaven forbid) more money to be made, elsewhere. Time for firms to begin looking for post-bonus hires.

It's coming round to that time of year again, reports Matthew Montagu-Pollock. Time for financiers to reassess whether their firms are truly meeting career aspirations. Time to consider if there may be more scope, more congenial colleagues, and (heaven forbid) more money to be made, elsewhere. Time for firms to begin looking for post-bonus hires.

The Indian government's much fanfared plan to sell a 51% stake in the state-run domestic carrier Indian Airlines, and 40% in the international carrier Air India, is yet to take off. The original privatization dates of February 28 and March 31 are long past; and an announcement by the government that an “expression of interest” for each deal would be printed in the country's newspapers on September 10 and 15 failed to materialize. The expression of interest for Indian Airlines was finally announced on September 29, although the one on Air India is still to be announced. In it, the government set out basic criteria by which strategic partners can bid for 26% stakes. An additional 25% will be sold to Indian Airlines employees, domestic financial institutions and the public.

Greater market transparency, the internet and the threat of industry consolidation in the region are presenting challenges to Asia's asset managers. By Joy Lee.

Hutchison Whampoa's US$3 billion exchangeable bond in September was the largest ever from the region. It also represented a skilfull monetization of an unwanted asset – a shareholding in Vodafone. By Chris Wright

Noke Kiroyan returned to Indonesia in 1997 – not the best time to be chief executive of a mining company in Asia's most volatile economy. But Kiroyan thrives on challenge. By Maggie Ford.

Geography, communications and red tape have long been obstacles to China trade. It's no surprise, therefore, that the country is gearing up for the virtual, universal, unregulated market place that the internet represents.