Bangkok--Mar 11--Francom Asia
Airtimes: Saturday, March 12 at 11:00, 20:30, 24:00
Sunday, March 13 at 18:30, 22:00 (replays)
Monday, March 14 at 10:30 (replay)
This week on CNN’s TALK ASIA, Chairman of the Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) David Eldon gives international viewers insights into the Asia Pacific region’s economic future and shares his plans for life after retirement in May.
During the half-hour interview, Eldon, who has spent thirty-seven years with HSBC, discusses with host Lorraine Hahn the importance of Asia’s role in the global economy. “I think it’s very important, and I believe it’s going to get even more important. If you take our own definition of Asia, which runs effectively from Pakistan to New Zealand and Japan to Indonesia...you have two of the largest countries in the world - India and China. Both of which, by themselves are going to have a major global impact.”
The chairman also talks about HSBC’s stake in the Bank of Communications in China and the World Trade Organization deal in which China has promised to fully open up its banking sector by 2006.
Additionally, Eldon reveals his thoughts on the current political changes in Hong Kong. “Whoever is running Hong Kong has never had a huge impact on the economy of the place. Even when we had a Governance system, the business community is the one that has continued to drive Hong Kong’s future.”
Eldon concludes the interview by talking about his retirement plans. “Everybody’s got to move on eventually, there’s always something that requires you to move on and that time has come...but I’m not going to stop working, I’m going to be doing other things.”
Log onto CNN’s dedicated website for TALK ASIA on www.CNN.com/talkasia to find out more information on upcoming guests. End.