(Asia Society) Asia Society Presents Conference on Asia’s Emerging Bond Market in New York City on April 15, 2003


NEW YORK--April 4, 2003

The Asia Society Business Programs together with Lehman Brothers and Standard & Poor’s present a half-day conference on "Asia’s Emerging Bond Market: Re-Examining Investment Opportunities and Risks," to be held on Tuesday, April 15, 2003, from 8:00am-2:00pm at the Asia Society, 725 Park Avenue (at 70th Street), in New York City.

The conference will examine new investment opportunities and risks in Asia’s sovereign and corporate debt market. What is the status of restructuring and reform efforts? What are the optimal buy/sell side strategies for institutional investors? In light of emerging threats to regional spreads, e.g., U.S. economic slowdown, Asia’s regional security concerns, and looming international conflict with Iraq, will international investors reposition portfolio exposure to or away from Asian corporate and sovereign bonds?

Agenda and registration information follows.

For an updated agenda and registration form: http://www.asiasociety.org/policy_business/springconference2003/

"Asia’s Emerging Bond Market: Re-Examining Investment Opportunities and Risks"

Tuesday, April 15, 2003, 8:00am ­ 2:00pm at the Asia Society, NYC

Corporate Sponsors:
Lehman Brothers;
Standard & Poor’s

Held in Collaboration With:
American Indonesian Chamber of Commerce;
EMTA;
KWR International, Inc.;
New York Society of Security Analysts (NYSSA);
U.S.-ASEAN Business Council;
U.S.-Thailand Business Council.

*confirmed speaker
(note: agenda subject to change).

8:00 Conference Registration/Coffee

8:25 Welcome/Introductory Remarks
Speaker: Asia Society Representative

8:30 Managing Risks in Asia's Regional Debt Markets

What are the current financial, legal and regulatory restructuring and reform efforts, as well as obstacles for recovery? Has the Asian investor base responded favorably to the Asia's debt market? Is there a growing pool of investment capital, a sufficient number of potential buyers and sellers and an attractive investor base looking for new investments opportunities in Asia's bond market? What is the market's relative value and comparative performance?

• Keynote Address
  Miranda Swaray Goeltom, Deputy Governor, Bank Indonesia*
  

• Speakers
  John Chambers, Co-Head of Sovereign Group, Standard & Poor’s*
  Joyce Chang, Global Head of Emerging Markets Research, JP Morgan*
  Gregory Fager, Director, Asia Pacific Department, Institute of International Finance*
  

9:45 Networking Break

10:15 Keynote Address: "Asian Companies: Under-Appreciated by Global Investors"

After their trial by fire in the Asian crisis, the vast majority of Asia's global players have revamped operating models, delevered balance sheets and significantly reduced financial risk -- and now provide excellent role models to companies in the U.S. and Europe. Nevertheless, these improved companies are yet to be fully appreciated by rating agencies and, in the financial markets, their firm value multiples are at deep discounts to global counterparts. Can global investors afford to continue to ignore this dynamic part of the world?

• Speaker: Dalip Awasthi, Head of Asian Credit Research, Lehman Brothers*

10:45 Investment Opportunities and Risks in Asia’s Debt Markets

Where are the new investment opportunities in Asia's corporate and sovereign debt market? From a buy-side perspective, what are the top Asian credit picks for Q3/Q4 2003? What strategies have global investors taken to hedge against economic setbacks in Asia and other geopolitical risks?

• Panelists
  Leslie Norton, Asia Editor, Barrons*
  Stephen M. Taran, MD, Global Head, Sovereign Credit Research, Salomon Smith Barney*
  Peter Marber, Atlantic LLC*

12:30 Lunch

1:00: Luncheon
Keynote Panel: Development of a Regional Asian Bond Market

What initiatives have Asian governments taken to develop a regional bond market? Would an Asian regional bond market improve Asian country's finances and end reliance on the International Monetary Fund and other government lenders? What role would the private sector, governments and the international community play? What impact would a regional bond market have for investors?

• Keynote Speakers
  Suchart Jaovisidha, Minister of Finance, Thailand
  Representative, Bank Negara Malaysia
  Representative, Monetary Authority of Singapore

2:00: Program Adjourns

REGISTRATION FORM:

To register, contact Asia Society Box Office Registration:

Fax: 212-517-8315; Tel: 212-327-9276 (M-F 10am to 5pm);
Email: boxoffice@asiasoc.org

Name___________________________________________________

Title/ Company____________________________________________

Address__________________________________________________

City/State/Zip______________________________________________

Telephone________________________________________________

Fax_____________________________________________________

Email____________________________________________________

Registration Price:

Member/Collaborating Organizations $125 ______________________

Non-Members $150: ________________________________________

Total Enclosed: ____________________________________________

Credit Card Acct. No.: _______________________________________

Exp. Date: ________________________________________________

Signature: ________________________________________________

For program information only, contact: William Robison, Asia Society, Policy and Business Programs, 725 Park Avenue, New York, NY, 10021. tel: 212-327-9303; fax 212-517-8555;
email: williamr@asiasoc.org

Members of the press interested in attending the conference should contact Elaine Merguerian (212) 327-9313 for information about press registration.

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