Malaysia's Employees Provident Fund has consistently delivered returns that outstrip inflation. But as the pool of low-risk investable assets in Malaysia shrinks, it will be hard put to maintain this rate of return. Analysts say the fund should start to invest globally and its managers should be given more independence from the government. By S. Jayasankaran. Despite being reincluded in a key Morgan Stanley Capital International index, the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange has continued to sag.
Analysts believe Malaysia's capital controls are responsible.
By S. Jayasankaran and Murray Hiebert. Neighbourhood lending clubs are as common as rice in many parts of Asia. By Mark Mitchell. In Thailand, Rob Collins, chief executive of investment house Univentures, offers plays for the patient investor. By Ichiko Fuyuno and Rodney Tasker.