Caleb M Fundanga: The importance of cross border information exchange for Zambia Remarks by Dr Caleb M Fundanga, Governor of the Bank of Zambia, at the launch of the Alumniportal Deutschland, Lusaka, 25 November 2008. *  *  *  • Her Excellency the Ambassador of the Germany Embassy in Zambia • Management and staff from the Germany Embassy in Zambia • Fellow alumni • Members of the press • Distinguished invited guests • Ladies and gentlemen Guten Abend meine Damen und Herren. I am truly honoured to officiate at this important Launch of the Alumniportal Deutschland. I am informed that Africa has a rare honour of being the first continent to implement the Alumniportal Deutschland. I am certain that our implementation process will define the failure or success of the whole project. We thus have a huge challenge to ensure that we achieve success and provide a benchmark for others to emulate. However, looking at the many beaming faces present in this room, I have no doubt that we will provide more than just a benchmark for others to follow. I am glad to note that we are all optimistic on the success of this project in Zambia in particular and Africa in general. We have a duty to represent our continent and give it the honour that it so deserves. Your Excellency, the Launch of the Alumniportal could not have come at more opportune time when cross border information exchange has become cardinal in every aspects of life especially trade.
Global investors’ allocations to the region have been rising, alongside Asia’s increasing weight in global indices. The region has become a favourite hunting ground for investors, in search of the next unicorns. Households and institutions in the region have themselves become ample sources of wealth looking for investment opportunities. These pools of capital can be mobilised through our capital markets, to finance the region’s high-growth enterprises. Asia has an abundance of channels through which companies and capital can meet. There are established bourses as well as newer, tech-focused exchanges. There is also a growing number of blockchain-enabled platforms. Example: DBS Bank has launched the DBS Digital Exchange for the tokenisation, trading and custody of digital assets. Singapore’s Value Proposition Singapore is well poised to become one of the leading fund-raising centres in Asia. There are four key dimensions to Singapore’s value proposition: a vibrant ecosystem for private equity and venture capital; the premier Asian hub for solutions in investment risk management; a rapidly growing debt capital market; anda promising equity capital market. First, a vibrant private equity and venture capital ecosystem. The thriving start-up and 1/4  BIS central bankers' speeches  Fintech scene in Singapore and Southeast Asia have drawn active interest from PE/VC players from around the world. PE/VC assets under management in Singapore have doubled over the last five years. They grew by over 50% last year despite the COVID-19 pandemic and recession, testament to the resilience of the ecosystem. Technology and innovation are making private equity and venture capital investments more accessible.