CFI.co Winter 2021-2022

FinanceEconomics & Development
- - Banking & Finance
    
    Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser
    
    Jane Fraser, the CEO of Citigroup, is no stranger to glass ceiling and glass cliffs. Fraser,
    
    New York — the preeminent financial district
    
    “It was never built for the comfort and happiness of its citizens, but to astonish the
    
    Singapore — the leading financial centre in the Asia-Pacific region
    
    Hear the Merlion roar. Singapore is the case study for a DIY global financial centre. It
  - Markets
    
    Tightening Financial Conditions Bring Impacts to Asset Values
    
    In the first half of this year, US stock markets suffered a fall not seen in
    
    Biggest Commodity Price Shock in 50 Years is Here
    
    In addition to death and destruction in Ukraine, the Russian invasion brought several significant shocks to
    
    Crypto Jitters: Unhinged Stablecoins Add Volatility to an Already Unstable Market
    
    The dig is impossible to resist. On Thursday, tether – the world’s biggest ‘stablecoin’ – briefly
  - SMEs
    
    Abdullah Al-Othman & Geidea: FinTech Supports SMEs and Saudi Vision 2030
    
    Abdullah Al-Othman is the founder and chairman of Geidea, a leading fully licensed provider of digital
    
    VM Finance Poised to Lead Property Financing for SMEs
    
    VM Finance entered the non-bank specialist funding industry in 2018, armed with a wealth of experience
    
    CBRE: Approaching Shadows of Data Opacity and Risk From Flexible Office Market
    
    We live in a world that offers and value tailored convenience. We are accustomed to the
  - Economics & Convergence
    
    Otaviano Canuto: Some Economies May Soon Face a Hard Landing
    
    Weaker performance of emerging markets is expected in the immediate future. This year began with simultaneous
    
    Global Imbalances and the Pandemic
    
    The International Monetary Fund’s tenth annual External Sector Report (ESR, August 2021) shows how current account
    
    World Bank on Sustainable Recovery: The Need for Long-Term Financing
    
    The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting every country’s health system and economy to a degree not seen
SustainabilityBusiness Environment
- - CSR
    
    The Long-term Growth of Sustainable Investing
    
    In April 2013, the concrete roof of a dilapidated factory in a densely populated district of
    
    Pollen Street Capital – All Players are Part of the Solution: Proceed with Purpose to Maximise ESG Impact
    
    Pollen Street Capital is a purpose-led asset manager whose overarching purpose is to deliver long-term sustainable
    
    Fitch Ratings: Enduring Focus on ESG and Sustainability Projects at Leading Credit Ratings Provider
    
    For over a century, Fitch Ratings has been building and creating value for global capital markets
  - Energy
    
    Karl Fredrik-Staubo – Youth, Energy, Agility, & the Courage of Conviction: Meet the Golar Go-Getters
    
    As the youngest CEO of a NASDAQ-listed company, Karl Fredrik Staubo brings energy and verve to
    
    Rebecca Carter, WiseEnergy: Aligning the Stars to Create a Smart Solar System
    
    When Rebecca Carter joined WiseEnergy as COO in February 2019, she was seeking to return to
    
    Oil North of 60: Africa Seeks to Cash in on Energy Crunch
    
    Already jittery markets, largely without direction, are braced for a near-perfect storm as central banks taper
  - Innovation & Technology
    
    Oracle CEO Safra Catz
    
    Tech bros beware, there’s a new queen of the cloud. Safra Catz, the head of operations
    
    I, Robot (Ninja): A Pioneer of the Autonomous Space
    
    Robots are here to stay, making life easier in many sectors — and Fetch Robotics founder
    
    Gender Holds Secrets for Effective Treatments
    
    Dr Antonella Santuccione Chadha, co-founder and pro-bono CEO of the Women’s Brain Project, wins the prestigious
  - Governance & Legal
    
    Norvestor: Seeing — and Seizing — the Full Potential of ESG
    
    Private equity firm Norvestor has partnered with Nordic businesses for more than three decades. It has
    
    EY: Argentina’s Need for Tax Reforms, and How They Could Be Achieved
    
    The current Argentine macroeconomic situation is characterised by Covid-19 recession, inflation, record tax pressure, a reduction
    
    Co-op Legal Services: Opportunity and Optimism Abound in the Exciting Legal Services Sector
    
    Co-op Legal Services, which is part of the Co-op Group, offers legal advice and services for
PerspectivesEssays & Columns
- - Multilaterals
    
    OECD: What Will It Take to Achieve UN’s Sustainable Development Goals?
    
    Achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires financial and non-financial investment to discover sustainable development
    
    OECD: Only Scale and Development Impact Will Help Us Reach the SDG Mountain Summit
    
    The development community is used to responding to crises but current events, not least COVID-19, have
    
    IFC: After Glasgow, Four Steps to Keep Us On Track
    
    The UN Climate Conference in Glasgow saw a flurry of commitments and proposals to limit temperature
  - Columnists
    
    Otaviano Canuto: Going Around the Bend? Assessing the Phillips Curve May Be of Help
    
    Unemployment and wage rates are theoretically linked, and may hold a key to our immediate economic
    
    Lord Waverley: First In, Best Dressed — UK’s Bid to Join Key Regional Trade Agreement
    
    The United Kingdom has applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP),
    
    Evan Harvey, Nasdaq: Language Locks and Building Blocks
    
    Language has been an inhibitor to the progress of sustainable business. Rather than putting a trendy
  - Lifestyle
    
    Is a Life of Luxury a Worthy Pursuit in the Modern Day?
    
    Coco Chanel once said, “Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.” She also noted:
    
    Film Review – Blonde: Is Marilyn Biopic a Bombshell … or a Bust?
    
    “Monroe is more than a sex symbol in new film”, one headlined review of Blonde declares.
    
    Aretha Franklin, Queen of Soul: No Caprice, Simply Sadness…
    
    Song, civil disobedience, heartache, sympathy for the oppressed: Aretha Franklin singer gave her all for her
PeopleHeroes & Leaders
- - Heroes
    
    Steve Fechheimer: Brewing Up a Storm to Combat Climate Change
    
    New Belgium’s craft beers were inspired by a bike ride, first brewed in a basement, and
    
    Patrik Lundström: Break on Through to the Green Side of Clothing Production…
    
    Every entrepreneur wants to build a business on a breakthrough process; not many have done so.
    
    Lutz Schwenke: Life — and Business — on an Ocean Wave
    
    Devon has some of the best surfing beaches in the UK — a fact which may
  - Editor’s Ten
    
    Denise Coates Earns More Than Elon Musk, Would You Believe?
    
    British business leader Denise Coates is the highest-earning woman in Britain — testament to the fact
    
    Elaine Yan Ling Ng: Designer Egged-on by Nature’s Potential for Unique Beauty
    
    The design world often looks to nature for inspiration, and Elaine Yan Ling Ng, a traditional
    
    Mahendra Singh Dhoni: Captain Cool Meets his Younger Self to Pass on Business Tips
    
    Mahendra Singh “MS” Dhoni, one of India’s most celebrated cricket players, has earned the nickname “Captain
  - Corporate Leaders
    
    Pavilion Global Markets: Global Recognition in Two Niche Services, Transition Management and Global Portfolio Strategy
    
    Pavilion Global Markets Ltd was founded in Canada more than 50 years ago as an institutional,
    
    A New Era for Kuwait International Bank: Architecting the Future of Technology-based Banking
    
    Digital renaissance in the global banking sector was well underway prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. In
    
    Multiply Marketing Consultancy with Samia Bouazza at the Helm: Always Prepared, Armed with the Latest Tech, Determined to Be the Best
    
    “Abu Dhabi residents. International specialists. Critical thinkers. Problem solvers. Marketing connoisseurs. Trained to get straight to
  - Portraits
    
    Elaine Yan Ling Ng: Designer Egged-on by Nature’s Potential for Unique Beauty
    
    The design world often looks to nature for inspiration, and Elaine Yan Ling Ng, a traditional
    
    Interview with Grete Faremo, Executive Director of UNOPS: Inclusive Infrastructure Development
    
    In pre-pandemic Oct 2019 (about 20 months ago) you wrote an article for CFI.co magazine that
    
    Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill: ‘Cheap Childcare’ Led to Winning Athletics Career, Jokes Ennis-Hill
    
    Britain’s most celebrated track and field athlete, Jessica Ennis-Hill, announced her retirement from professional sports at
LiteratureBook Reviews
- - Reviews
    
    Think Big and Buckle-Up for a Fast-Paced, Pithy Memoir
    
    Book Review: Kick Up Some Dust by Bernie Marcus The life and times of entrepreneur Bernie
    
    The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity – A Non-Linear Anarchist Reading of World History
    
    It’s an ideology that inspires fear and loathing in equal measure. Anarchism or the conviction that
    
    Spring Reads: Three Business Books on the CFI.co Radar
    
    Naomi Snelling buries herself in some inspiring works that bring meaning — and more — to
  - Must-Reads
    
    The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity – A Non-Linear Anarchist Reading of World History
    
    It’s an ideology that inspires fear and loathing in equal measure. Anarchism or the conviction that
    
    Political Order and Political Decay: From the Industrial Revolution to the Globalization of Democracy
    
    “When the middle class constitutes only 20–30 percent of the population, it may side with antidemocratic
    
    Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945
    
    CFI Must-Reads Title Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945 Author Tony Judt ISBN 978-0-1430-3775-0 link
  - The Editor’s List
    
    Lutz Schwenke: Life — and Business — on an Ocean Wave
    
    Devon has some of the best surfing beaches in the UK — a fact which may
    
    The Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Streamline Baby
    
    “He sounded like Jean-François Revel, a French socialist writer who talks about one of the great
    
    The Gonzo Papers Anthology
    
    “Absolute truth is a very rare and dangerous commodity in the context of professional journalism.” For
In-DepthExtended Coverage
- - Hidden Gems
    
    Mortgages Agreed Within Seconds? This Banker Vaults Digital Frontiers
    
    KBC Bank chief executive Johan Thijs has no truck with bureaucracy or time-wasting — but stays
    
    In the Face of Grim Challenges, Uzbekistan Forges Ahead on Privatisation
    
    Despite a pandemic, a European war involving its closest trading partner and the growing threat of
    
    Uzbekistan’s Dynamism Presents New Opportunities for Post-Brexit Britain
    
    Though 5,000 km apart, the UK, an economic leader in the world, and my emerging but
  - Business in Times of Corona
    
    Energy Sector Grapples with Hydra-Headed Problems of Global Supply and Demand
    
    At the recent COP-26 climate summit in Glasgow, government officials and leaders of international organisations put
    
    Inflation, Used Cars, Silicon Chips and Supply-Demand: Links in a Worrying Chain
    
    Chips — no, not the potato or chocolate kind, the electronic ones – are a driving
    
    World Bank: Sustained Global Solidarity Needed to Achieve Global COVID-19 Recovery
    
    The pandemic has affected virtually everyone in the world, but its impacts have been hardest on
  - World Economic Forum
    
    Davos: Seizing the Moment – Or Not
    
    The man himself was unable to attend the proceedings in Davos – he has other commitments,
    
    WEF: Back to the Basics?
    
    Concerned over widening geopolitical fissures, the World Economic Forum (WEF) has embarked on a quest to
    
    Davos: Till We Meet Again – Bankers Packing Up
    
    Dutch Finance Minister and President of the Eurogroup Jeroen Dijsselbloem is worried that the increased insularity
  - Special Features
    
    World Bank MD and CFO Anshula Kant: Financing Where It Matters Most
    
    Financing Where It Matters Most — People, The Planet, and the Role of Investors Amid overlapping
    
    Paul Horrocks, OECD: Risk, Return, Impact – SDG Aims Need a Shift of Focus
    
    Russia’s war on Ukraine and interruption of global food supplies has put greater pressure on the
    
    OECD: Only Scale and Development Impact Will Help Us Reach the SDG Mountain Summit
    
    The development community is used to responding to crises but current events, not least COVID-19, have
AwardsExcellence
- - Awards
    
    UAE is Recognised by CFI.co as Best FDI Destination in the Middle East
    
    Following presentation of the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) Awards for FDI-agencies at a Gala Dinner at
    
    British Airways: Best Premium Travel Experience Global
    
    Unveiling a major investment drive to upgrade its long-haul business and premium economy class services, British
    
    UBS: Best Green Bank Switzerland
    
    An increasing number of businesses, including banks, are adapting their corporate structures and processes to incorporate
  - Africa
    
    Schlumberger Nigeria: Best Sustainability Award
    
    In over forty countries, oilfield services company Schlumberger is actively engaged in promoting science, technology, engineering,
    
    The CFI.co Award for Best HSE Standards, West Africa, goes to Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc
    
    Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc traces its proud history back to 1907. This top petroleum products marketing
    
    Old Mutual: Best Community Engagement Programme, South Africa
    
    Responsibility is at the heart of Old Mutual’s success over the past 165 years and the
  - Asia Pacific
    
    Best Commercial Bank, China: CFI.co names China Merchants
    
    China Merchants Bank, headquartered in Shenzen and boasting 500 branches, is the CFI.co 2014 winner of
    
    Colombo Stock Exchange: Most Sustainable Growth Exchange Asia
    
    With investor confidence solid and a booming economy, the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) is in a
    
    A Touch of Class: Century Properties Group Wins Real Estate Award in the Philippines
    
    With a passion for quality in both service and product plus an uncannily keen sense for
  - Europe
    
    Julius Bär Group: Best Private Bank Switzerland
    
    Managing the assets of private clients across the globe, Julius Bär Group maintains offices in over
    
    UBS: Best Green Bank Switzerland
    
    Picture a world in which large power plants spewing noxious fumes into the atmosphere have been
    
    Nordea Asset Management: ESG Award Winner in Europe
    
    According to the CFI.co Judging Panel, ‘Nordea well understands the benefits that accrue to investors when
  - Latin America
    
    BCI: Our Fund Manager Winner in Chile
    
    The CFI.co Judging Panel rates BCI Investment Management very highly and has announced that the award
    
    Bolsa de Valores de Colombia: Best Stock Exchange, Latin America
    
    The Bolsa de Valores de Colombia (BVC) – a private organisation – was established in 2001
    
    The Odebrecht Foundation Wins CFI Award for Community Engagement, Brazil
    
    The Odebrecht Organisation is a very successful and highly diversified Brazilian group which is active in
  - North America
    
    Mercury Capital Advisors Group Best Fund Raising Team Global
    
    Mercury Capital Advisors Group have perfected flat management within the company, creating a team where everyone takes
    
    Banco Interacciones: Our Winner in Mexico for a Second Year
    
    The CFI Judging Panel would like to congratulate Banco Interacciones on repeating its triumph of last
    
    BNY Mellon: Winner of the CFI.co Wealth Manager Award, US
    
    The CFI.co Judging Panel has named BNY Mellon as winner of the prestigious award, ’Best Wealth
  - Middle East
    
    Saudi Hollandi: Best SME Bank, KSA, for a Second Year
    
    The CFI.co Judging Panel is always delighted when winners repeat their success in subsequent years. It
    
    Bentley Powers Ahead in Customer Satisfaction: CFI.co Award Winner, Middle East
    
    There has been powerful performance at Bentley Motors, Middle East this past year. Dubai is the
    
    UBP Wins the CFI.co Private Banking Award, UAE
    
    Now that many of the global universal banks are returning to their core business and divesting
InitiativesCorporate & Events
- - Events
    
    UNCDF: COP27 Pledges Biodiversity Finance to Boost Climate-Change Resilience
    
    Forests, coral reefs and populations most at-risk come into focus at 2022 summit in Egypt. “From
    
    WEF 2022: The World Is No Longer Flat
    
    This week, a colourful cabal of cognoscenti gathered in Davos to offer diverse takes on the
    
    Making Expo 2020 Deeply Personal: How Accenture Helped Put the Visitor at the Heart of the World’s Greatest Show
    
    When we first started working with Expo and Etisalat Digital over six years ago, they had
  - Projects
    
    Sri Lanka: Recovery, Redemption & Re-Birth
    
    Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka’s most resilient and experienced politician, was gifted his country’s presidency by his
    
    Interview with Firas Sleiman – Partner and Technology, Digital & Cyber Leader at PwC in Qatar: Digital Leadership
    
    About Qatar and Digital What technology or digital trends should the Qatari leader watch out for
    
    Rescue by Helicopter Reserves
    
    The world woke up on Monday 23 with higher international reserves for all countries. A new
  - Start-Ups
    
    Kickstart Seed Fund: From Recession to Co-operation
    
    Kickstart Seed Fund was founded in 2008. Yes, 2008 — and despite the recession, the company
    
    Gavin Christensen: Shared Values at Kickstart Management
    
    Seed-stage venture capital firm Kickstart, founded by Gavin Christensen, started life in the 2008 recession —
    
    Recipe for Success: Blend Inspiring Partners with Hard-Working Teams and Have a Proven ‘Killer’ Product
    
    FasterCapital is an online incubator/accelerator diverse and inclusive global company whose expert team works with partners
  - Corporate
    
    Alexandre Mars serial entrepreneur and philanthropist
    
    French businessman and philanthropist Alexandre Mars established the charity Epic Foundation in 2014 with the goal
    
    Chieh Huang, cofounder and CEO of Boxed
    
    Boxed CEO Chieh Huang defines retail as “the business of making genuine, lasting connections with customers
    
    Ginni Rometty, former IBM boss
    
    A well-known American entrepreneur named Virginia “Ginni” Rometty led IBM as CEO from January 2012 until

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