In the final months of the Bush administration, there is to be no slacking off with the president pushing for trade agreements with the likes of Colombia, says the US commerce secretary. Writer Courtney Fingar.
The European commissioner for the internal market has been at the forefront of the Sepa initiative since taking up office in 2004. Here, he answers the market’s criticisms of the project and discusses how it has been handled at European level.
Inflation may be well above target but Uganda’s central bank earns high marks from bankers for emphasising risk management. The Banker talks to David Okiopello, acting deputy governor of the Bank of Uganda.
State Bank of India chairman Om Prakash Bhatt tells Karina Robinson how the bank’s mission is more than delivering higher profits.
After six years overseeing the phenomenal growth of Angola’s economy, minister of finance José Pedro de Morais can look back on a job well done. He spoke to Charlie Corbett in Luanda about the country’s next phase of growth and the challenges that remain.
Paraguay’s new finance minister tells Hugh O’Shaughnessy why the country cannot make the most of its natural assets.
Santander CEO Alfredo Sáenz tells Karina Robinson that while M&As are there for the taking, it is imperative not to act hastily in the troubled market.
Hector Sants, just about to complete his first year as chief executive of the UK’s Financial Services Authority, has proved his mettle during these times of great difficulty for regulators everywhere. Interview by Michael Imeson and Brian Caplen.
Sheikh Salem Abdulaziz Al-Sabah, governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait, discusses the latest financial developments in Kuwait with Stephen Timewell.
Since becoming president of the Inter-American Development Bank in October 2005, Luis Alberto Moreno has appointed new managers, updated the bank’s lending policies and restructured the institution. He talks to Jane Monahan.
The key to Africa’s future prosperity lies in diversification away from raw materials. Africa Export Import Bank president Jean-Louis Ekra talks to Charlie Corbett about the challenges of creating an internal economy.
Shamsad Akhtar, governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, has an ambitious vision for the bank to have a greater say in economic policy, she tells Karina Robinson.
The future business of Yucho Bank, the unwieldy beast that emerged from the privatisation of Japan’s postal system, is unclear and it faces hostility from private players. Charles Smith reports from Tokyo.
UralSib is among the lucky few to benefit from the credit crunch. Virtually unreliant on international financing, the bank has stood strong and is now winning custom from rivals that are struggling. Its CEO Andrei Donskikh talks to Ben Aris.
Italy’s leading light in eastern Europe, UniCredit has ambitious plans after buying into one of the region’s most dynamic markets with its purchase of Ukraine’s Ukrsotsbank, writes Philip Alexander.
BCR’s interim CEO is confident that the bank’s transformation will allow it to capitalise on the opportunities presented by one of Europe’s fastest-growing economies, he tells Philip Alexander.
Nestlé chairman Peter Brabeck tells Karina Robinson why the multi-national company, like its customers, is embarking on a wellness and nutrition diet.
Peter Wise and Brian Caplen talk to chief executive Ricardo Espírito Santo Salgado about Banco Espírito Santo’s plans to expand further its well-established banking network in Portuguese-speaking countries.
BBVA is in an enviable position for 2008, having had no involvement with subprime assets. Jules Stewart talks to president and COO José Ignacio Goirigolzarri.
Despite its write-downs last year and Allianz splitting Dresdner Kleinwort off from rest of the group, Dresdner Bank’s senior executives still see opportunities to progress on the international stage. Philip Alexander reports.