2012 Asian Financial Forum

I attended the high-profile event 2012 Asian Financial Forum this January. Every year, the Asian Financial Forum (AFF) brings together some of the most influential members of the global financial and business community to discuss developments and trends in the dynamic markets of Asia. It is always an excellent opportunity to gather the latest market intelligence and explore business opportunities in Chinese mainland and the rest of Asia.

Deloitte has been the gold sponsor of AFF for third consecutive year. This year's AFF attracted more than 2,000 participants and 400 journalists from 32 countries and regions. Attendees came to hear the latest opportunities and challenges in Asia from more than 70 internationally respected leaders in government, financial and business sectors.

The panel discussion I enjoyed the most is the one on China Opportunities.  As we know, global headwinds are expected to slow China's economic growth in 2012, opening the door to some easing in monetary policy as inflation starts to subside. A leadership transition will also be taking place.  The panelists gave us their insights on the twists and turns ahead in the nation's remarkable economic transformation. The panelists are among the most influential business leaders in the private sectors as well as government official, including Ronnie Chan, Chairman of Hang Lung Properties, Tomson Li, CEO of TCL Corporation, Cho Tak Wong, Chairman of Fuyao Class Industry Group, John Zhao, Founder and CEO of Hony Capital, Liming Yu, VP and Chief Economist of China Merchants Group, and Guangshao Tu, Vice Mayor of Shanghai.  It was very insightful to hear these business leaders' view on China's future economic growth, and their experience in running successful businesses in China.  

Bloomberg Shanghai Bureau Visit

While I was in Shanghai on business this week, I had the pleasure to visit the Bloomberg Shanghai bureau as a guest of Margaret Conley, who is an anchor and reporter for Bloomberg Television.  Margaret gave me a wonderful tour of the Bloomberg's news studio, editing center and the client training facility.

Bloomberg's management believes that open and fast communication is critical for the operation of the global news bureau. I have always heard that Bloomberg offices have fish tanks and transparent open floor designs. It is true! All meeting rooms in the Shanghai bureau have glass windows, so you could look inside.  All staffs' including management's desks are clustered in a big open room without walls to facilitate better and faster communication.  

 

Bloomberg's core money-generating product is the Bloomberg Terminal, which is a computer system that enables financial professionals to access the Bloomberg Professional service through which users can monitor and analyze real-time financial market data movements and place trades on the electronic trading platform. The system also provides news, price quotes, and messaging across its proprietary secure network.  It was exciting to see the amazing capability of the Terminal and how much information is being contained in this machine!