Asiaclear: A clear loser

Five years of debate do not seem to have taken the Asiaclear concept very far. Now there are fresh moves to set up an Asian-wide settlement system. But, reports Steve Irvine, perhaps Euroclear is already too far ahead even in Asia.

Asiaclear, the clearance and settlement system that will supposedly revolutionize the region’s bond markets, is an idea that refuses to die. It has been debated at Asian Development Bank (ADB) meetings since the early 1990s and cropped up again at last month’s gathering in Fukuoka.

However, there have been new developments. HongkongBank has registered Asiaclear as a trademark, according to Tomoo Hayakawa, a former treasurer of the Asian Development Bank, now president of the Asia Finance and Investment Corp.

Access intelligence that drives action

To unlock this research, enter your email to log in or enquire about access