The World Bank Group, a vital source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world, has announced that it is conducting the third annual Singapore Infrastructure Finance Summit on 6 September 2011, with World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick and Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam as the primary guests.
Entitled “Boosting the role of capital markets for infrastructure”, the summit is organised by the World Bank Group, the Singapore Ministry of Finance and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), in association with the Financial Times, the World Bank Group-ASEAN Infrastructure Finance Network and AusAID.
The summit aims to enhance the role of capital markets in financing of some of Asia’s key infrastructure initiatives and in particular, the creation of an effective municipal bond market in Asia. It will feature an opening address by Mr Tharman, who’s also the Minister for Finance and Manpower, an on-stage interview with Mr Zoellick, a unique showcase of urban infrastructure projects and financing structures and a discussion on the potential of bond markets as a tool for infrastructure financing.
“We are at a turning point where central and municipal governments in Asia are looking to undeveloped capital markets as a potential channel for substantial fundraising,” said David Pilling, Asia Editor of the Financial Times.
Pilling, who will also chair the summit, noted that this is “pertinent given the financing necessary for the many large infrastructure projects around the region, and particularly interesting given recent market volatility. I am looking forward to discussing these issues with both public and private sector strategists at this very topical Summit.”
To contact the journalist, you may send your message to editor@propertyguru.com.sg