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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.

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.

This year the Japanese government finally managed to sell the ailing banks, Long Term Credit and Nippon Credit, to private owners. There has been little cause for celebration, however. What should have been a welcome cutting of ties between the government and the two banks has backfired – due to a rather singular option included in both sales contracts. By Fiona Haddock.

It's nice to see a success in the Philippines, and the August issue of PROgress (privatization option bonds) was just that, raising Ps8 billion (US$175 million), twice the initially mooted sum. The 5-year bonds, due August 2005, give the holder the right to purchase shares from a choice of several forthcoming privatizations. The bonds pay 13.875% a year in quarterly payments. BNP Paribas was advisor to the government, while the joint lead managers were First Metro Investment Corporation and Land Bank of the Philippines. In addition to raising money for the government, the bonds will provide something of a captive investor base for future privatizations. The government owns, directly, a 40% stake in Petron, a 10% stake in Meralco, a 4.72% stake in PLDT and a large stake in San Miguel. Several other companies are privatization candidates, including Philippine National Bank, Philippine National Construction Corporation, Philippine Phosphate and Fertilizer Corporation, and the RPN-9 television network.

Levels of issuance in the samurai market are well up on recent years. Issuers are attracted by a reasonably stable currency, a large and hungry investor base, low interest rates and a dearth of competition from domestic issuance. By Fiona Haddock