Emerging Markets Take Centre Stage at Deutsche Bank Conference in Bangkok

As competition for capital intensifies, policymakers and investors at Deutsche Bank's Emerging Markets Conference examined what will distinguish the most successful emerging economies in the years ahead.

Held alongside the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings, the conference brought together clients and senior policymakers from across Asia, Latin America, Africa and other key emerging markets. Discussions focused on the forces shaping growth, investment and capital allocation, and on the qualities investors increasingly seek when deploying capital.

Stronger Global Links Support Long-Term Growth

During his remarks, Christian Sewing, Chief Executive Officer of Deutsche Bank, highlighted the importance of deeper connectivity with emerging markets as a strategic imperative for Europe.

“Stronger trade and investment flows between Europe and emerging economies can help all parties diversify and participate more fully in the next phase of global growth.”

Christian Sewing presenting at conference

Christian Sewing

Christian Sewing and Dr. Pan Gongsheng standing in foyer

From left: Christian Sewing and Dr. Pan Gongsheng, Governor, People’s Bank of China, who delivered the keynote address

Credible Emerging Markets Gain Ground with Global Investors

“Investors are no longer only asking: is this a developed market or an emerging market? Increasingly, they are asking: which country do I actually trust with my capital? That question creates a powerful opportunity for credible emerging markets,” said Alexander von zur Muehlen, CEO for Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa and Germany, opening the conference.

Emerging markets offer investors growth, diversification and exposure to economies playing a bigger role in global production, consumption and innovation, he said. But amid intensifying competition for capital – from higher-yielding sovereign bonds to the vast investment demands of AI – only economies with fiscal discipline, institutional credibility and resilient domestic capital markets will stand out.

Countries that establish that credibility will attract capital because investors recognise their quality, said von zur Muehlen. “For the emerging markets that get this right, it is an extraordinary opportunity.”

Alexander von zur Muehlen speaking at lectern

Alexander von zur Muehlen

Beyond a Single Emerging Markets Story

“With the global price of capital getting reset, the emerging market investment proposition is becoming more differentiated,” said Esra Turk, Global Head of Sustainable Finance, Chair of the Investment Bank for Middle East & Africa, when closing the event. "Today's discussions reinforced how the credibility of institutions, discipline in policy making and effectiveness of reform execution is key to determining where capital is allocated in emerging markets."

Esra Turk and Lesetja Kganyago sitting opposite each other and speaking

From left: Esra Turk and Lesetja Kganyago, Governor, South African Reserve Bank

Participants also heard directly from leading policymakers representing some of the world's most closely watched emerging economies. Speakers included Dr. Pan Gongsheng, Governor, People's Bank of China; Senator Amir Hamzah Azizan, Minister of Finance II Malaysia; Destry Damayanti, Governor, Bank Indonesia; Lesetja Kganyago, Governor, South African Reserve Bank; Dr. Fatih Karahan, Governor, Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye; José Luis Daza, Secretary of Economic Policy of the Ministry of Economy, Republic of Argentina; and Vladimir Werning, Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Argentina (BCRA).

Sameer Goel and Senator Amir Hamzah Azizan sitting opposite each other on stage