2013 Asian Financial Forum

“Asia: Shaping the Next Global Landscape”
14-15 January, 2013, Hong Kong 

The lingering souvereign debt crisis in the Eurozone, a tepid recovery in the US, and the slowdown in emerging markets continue to have profound impact on the global economy. AFF 2013 will focus on how Asia is shaping the next global landscape and what business strategies companies may adopt under this new economic order.

Organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, AFF 2013 will feature some of the world’s most influential leaders in government, financial and business sectors and they include:

• Dai Xianglong, Chairman, National Council for Social Security Fund (invited)
• Charles L. Evans, President and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
• Lawrence H. Summers, Charles W. Eliot University Professor, Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government
• Datuk Ranjit Ajit Singh, Chairman, Securities Commission Malaysia
• Saeb Eigner, Chairman, Dubai Financial Services Authority
• Ning Gaoning, Chairman, COFCO
• Pan Shiyi, Chairman, SOHO China Ltd

… and many more.

In addition, the Chamber would like to offer a very special discount of 40% (original fee: HKD 7,400) for a limited quota to our members. To reserve your seats, please register online with the following registration code: CNT194

Direct link: http://ocrs.hktdc.com/AFF/en/AFF_Register_en.htm

For the most updated information about the AFF, please visit www.asianfinancialforum.com.

Canada’s housing affordability rises

Falling home prices and an uptick in household income made Canadian home ownership slightly more affordable in the third quarter, but the longer-term trend is largely unchanged, according to a report by RBC Economics released on Thursday.

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RBC Tops Banks Defying Slowdown With Deal Fees

Royal Bank of Canada, Toronto- Dominion Bank (TD) and other Canadian lenders will report quarterly profit growth of as much as 17 percent, demonstrating the banks’ resilience even as the world’s 11th-largest economy slows.

Market-related revenue such as trading and advisory fees will be the highest in at least five quarters, said Sumit Malhotra, an analyst at Macquarie Capital Markets in Toronto. The banks begin reporting results for the fiscal fourth quarter on Nov. 29, starting with Royal Bank.

 

Read more HERE.

Carney a fine captain, but he didn’t build the ship

Mark Carney’s surprise appointment as head of the Bank of England has demonstrated the breadth of his fan club. Commentators around the world are lauding the Bank of Canada boss’s impressive résumé and list of achievements. The phrase “best central banker in the world” keeps coming up.

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Canadian banks continue to withstand headwinds as investing fees offset consumer slowdown

Royal Bank of Canada, Toronto-Dominion Bank and other Canadian lenders will report quarterly profit growth of as much as 17%, demonstrating the banks’ resilience even as the world’s 11th-largest economy slows.

To read the full story, please click here

RIM CEO Thorsten Heins on BlackBerry 10, QWERTY keyboards and changing cultures (video)

January 30th, 2013 marks the beginning of a new era for RIM. It will put to rest those doubters who questioned whether the company could survive long enough to complete its painful transition away from BlackBerries past and onto BlackBerry 10. The question then becomes what the market will do with this wholly new OS — whether RIM can be more successful at regaining its former smartphone stature than Microsoft has thus far proven to be with its own mobile OS reboot.

 

Watch the interview here: http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/19/RIM-CEO-thorsten-heins-interview/

Bonhams sets world record of £603,837 for an exceptional Leica lexus 1 camera from 1930

Bonhams unique sale of Leica cameras in Hong Kong today. November 23, the first such auction sale of its kind, produced strong results with more than 85 per cent sold and the top item in the sale going for a staggering £603,837 (HK$7,460,000) a world record for this particular rare Leica model. 

To read the full story, please click here

A Video about Canada Shared by Canadians

RIM stock leaps on BB10 optimism

As momentum builds toward the early 2013 launch of its new BlackBerry 10 smartphones, RIM shares surged 17.3 per cent Thursday, closing at $12. The company has enjoyed a week-long burst of positive sentiment that has seen some of RIM’s harshest analyst critics speak more favourably of the stock.

To read the full story, please click here

Manulife Financial President & CEO Accepts the International Business Executive of the Year in Toronto

At the presentation of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce International Business Executive of the Year Award on November 15 in Toronto, Donald Guloien took the opportunity to thank all of the employees and partners at Manulife Financial who have contributed to this award and success, “This award truly belongs to all of Manulife’s employees, past and present. I am extremely proud and humbled to receive this award on their behalf,” said Mr. Guloien. 

“The board of directors, staff and members of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce are very pleased to recognize Mr. Guloien and offer sincere congratulations to him and all Manulife associates. Guided by his vision and stewardship, Manulife Financial is a true international leader in the industry. Mr. Guloien and his Manulife colleagues are outstanding partners at all levels of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce network and remain a model of Canadian success both at home and abroad,” said Perrin Beatty, President and CEO, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

 

Read more at: http://www.stockhouse.com/news/usreleasesdetail.aspx?n=8671984