Weak global demand will weigh on developingAsiain 2012 but growth rates in most economies remain robust and should tick back up in 2013 with private consumption providing support, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) says in a new report.

Ministers and senior government officials, business leaders, fellow international financial institutions, and civil society representatives are set to gather in Manila, Philippines from 2-5 May for the 45^th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank  (ADB,  which will focus on inclusive growth through better governance and partnerships.

The Executive Directors of the World Bank Group on April 16, 2012 selected Dr. Jim Yong Kim as President for a five-year term beginning on July 1, 2012, taking over from Mr. Robert B. Zoellick.

The ABA has been invited by IQPC, a provider of conferences and training programs, to be a Supporting Association of the 2^nd Annual Offshore RMB to be held on September 5-6, 2012 in Hong Kong.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has once again accredited the ABAas Guest Association in the 45^th Annual Meeting of the ADB Board of Directors to be held onMay 2-5, 2012 inManila,Philippines. ABA members are, therefore, invited to attend this important event.

Following the recent retirement of Mr. Larry A. Klane, Mr. Yong-Ro Yun has been named by Korea Exchange Bank the new Chairman and CEO. Mr. Yun also succeeds Mr. Klane As the Bank s representative in the ABA Board of Directors.

Bank Eghtesad Novin (EN Bank), ABA s member bank from Iran, has appointed its new CEO Dr. Mohammad Hashem Botshekan as the new representative in the ABA Board of Directors, replacing Mr. Seyed Ahmad Taheri Behbehani.

As we us usher in the New Year, it is an opportune time for us to take stock of our accomplishments in the year just ended with the view to building on them in order to make our Association even more beneficial and relevant to our members in the year ahead. 

Economic growth in emerging East Asia will continue to moderate into 2012 as growing sovereign debt problems in Europe and an anemic US economy raise the spectre of a deep global economic downturn, says the Asian Development Bank’s latest Asia Economic Monitor.

A Special Committee on Disaster-Preparedness and Recovery is being formed by the Asian Bankers Association with the main task of studying and implementing cooperation approaches to disaster-preparedness among ABA member banks.

Sri Lanka Central Bank Governor Mr. Ajith Nivard Cabraal,  in his address as Special Guest of Honour at the Opening Ceremony of the recently concluded 28^th ABA General Meeting and Conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka, noted that the Asian economies are coming to the forefront, serving as the engine of global economic growth and delivering a sense of economic stability for the past several years. 

The Federation of Afro-Asian Insurers and Reinsurers (FAIR), a globally respected financial body, has unanimously decided to elevate Ambassador Alfonso T. Yuchengco, Honorary Chairman of Rizal Commecial Banking Corporation and former Chairman of ABA, as its first entrant to the FAIR Hall of Fame, during the 22nd FAIR Conference in Cairo, Egypt on October 2-6, 2011.

Chinggis Khaan Bank added another feather in its cap by bagging the “Best Country Presentation”Award during the special “Discover ABA” session of the 28th ABA General Meeting and Conference held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on October 3-4, 2011. Mr. Munkhbat Tsedevdamba, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Chinggis Khaan Bank, made the country presentation on behalf of the Bank, and later accepted the award during the Farewell Dinner of this year s annual gathering.

A group of ABA member bank representatives visited the headquarters of Hatton National Bank (HNB) on October 5, 2011 to learn from the best practices of HNB in a number of banking operations. The visit was arranged by HNB as part of the post- Conference program of the 28th ABA General Meeting and Conference held on October 3-4, 2011 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

ABA members of the Asian Bankers Association discussed two position papers during the 28th ABA General Meeting and Conference held on October 3-4, 2011 in Colombo, Sri Lanka – one entitled “Assessing Asian Banks" Adherence to Basel II and their Readiness for the New proposals under Basel III” and the other one entitled “Promoting Preparedness for Operational/Severe Event Risk Among Banks in the Asia- Pacific Region.”