Editorial

A season of reflection

As we reach our third issue of 2022 we are also approaching our Adam Smith Awards Asia season, with nominations opening in June. Recent years have seen treasurers across Asia Pacific tested and many of you triumphing with innovative and collaborative solutions to the problems of our time. We would like to invite you to nominate yourselves and your teams for our best practice in corporate finance Adam Smith Awards Asia, the industry benchmark for excellence.

In this edition we explore China’s lending practices as lending to the Belt and Road Initiative slows and conversely Chinese lending is purportedly far higher than previously estimated. What does this mean for future relationships and how has this developed? In a separate China focus we also take a look at China’s crackdown on companies fundraising via IPOs. Given this restriction, what are the other options?

We focus on money market funds, the trajectory of which has been complex. As they are put under a microscope again from global regulators what does the future hold in store for these funds and what alternatives should treasurers be cognisant of?

The payments space is explored, with ISO 20022 put under the microscope as we assess how treasuries can get prepared. We also look at the practice of treasury integration following merger or acquisition in our treasury practice feature and assess the latest technological tools in modern treasury and their effectiveness.

Finally we explore the circular economy and its link with international trade as sustainable practice and trade co-exist. This development has the potential to transform the manufacturing process and we take a look at which treasury teams are getting involved.

As ever we are excited to bring you the latest industry developments and look forward to hearing more about your new challenges and successes as the season continues.