IMF/World Bank meeting ends on positive note in Singapore

Singapore went to great lengths in its preparations for the meetings held at Suntec Singapore and adjacent hotels from September 13-20. Rodrigo de Rato, IMF managing director, said the meetings were "effective and well managed". World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz paid tribute to the government and people of Singapore for showing "generous Asian hospitality, as well as efficient, responsive and courteous support". The mammoth event required meticulous coordination between staff and hosts. A total of 20,000 participants attended various meetings and activities over the eight days. At least 5,000 executives from over 200 financial institutions attended 140 extra events organised to leverage on the main event. Lim Hwee Hua, minister of state (finance and transport), said: "Feedback from the governors, delegates and visitors was very positive. Singapore laid on an army of helpers for the meetings and exhorted the whole population to smile. Mamta Murthi, lead economist, World Bank, said in a TV interview: "Everyone has been smiling and saying hello, which is a bit odd. "I would much rather they smiled and said hello than growled and frowned, so I'm not complaining." Francis Karimba, governor of the Central Bank of Rwanda, told CEI Asia Pacific that he was met on arrival and missed the opportunity to see Changi Airport. He added: "But I hope to see a bit of Singapore over the next few days." (CEI Asia Pacific will carry a case study on the IMF/World Bank meetings in the November issue.)