W Y Lin, President, Tatung

Electronics conglomerate Tatung is pioneering new ‘smart’ technologies that it hopes will improve its energy efficiency and allow it to expand at the same time. President W Y Lin talks about the company’s approach to energy, its investments in solar technology, and how its partnerships with local education establishments are sustaining Tatung’s prospects.

Patricio Jottar, CEO, CCU

CCU is a diversified beverage company, operating mainly in Chile, Argentina and Uruguay. It is the largest brewer in Chile, and the second largest in Argentina, but is also one of the most important companies in the soft drink, mineral water, wine, and liquors sectors. Patricio Jottar explains how he drove the business into these new areas, and the model of corporate governance adopted through all CCU’s operations.

Andrey Shalimov, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board, Vozrozhdenie Bank

The Russian banking sector in its present form is just 20 years old and, with much of it controlled by European banks, it has felt the strain since the 2008 crisis. Analysts are expecting a decrease in its capital this year and a worsening quality of consumer loans. Andrey Shalimov discusses how Vozrozhdenie Bank has attained a stronghold in the sector through a commitment to good corporate governance and positioning itself as a community bank.

Sulaiman Al-Qimlas, CEO, Bayt Al Mal Investment

Kuwait is the world’s 10th largest oil exporter, and has been enjoying the windfall of rising oil prices. But a lot of this growth is being reinvested in the oil sector, leaving Kuwait’s other industries undeveloped and its economy unbalanced. Sulaiman Al-Qimlas reveals the other sectors currently attracting outside investment, thanks to Kuwait’s $120bn five year development plan; and explains Bayt Al Mal Investment’s new focus on Awqaf, the Islamic equivalent of endowment.

Adel Al-Majed, Chairman and Managing Director, Boubyan Bank

Adel Al-Majed’s 13 years of experience at National Bank of Kuwait were invaluable when the group gained control of Boubyan Bank, setting a clear new strategy and identifying the best people to fulfill its new mission. The new MD talks about the importance of the thriving Islamic segment, the balance sheet surgery Boubyan needed in 2009, and his ambitious goal to become the third-largest bank in Kuwait in five years.

Elham Mahfouz, Acting CEO, Commercial Bank of Kuwait

Commercial Bank of Kuwait has been driving the implementation of banking technology since its birth in 1960 – it was the first to implement ATMs, and recently upgraded its technological core. Elham Mahfouz discusses how CBK’s business has evolved since the financial crisis, and its commitment to remain a local bank: supporting local businesses while facilitating international investment.