2026 IMF Annual Meeting in Bangkok: DZ BANK Discusses Pathways to Growth, Trade, and Investment Between Europe and Asia
On the occasion of the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, held October 12–18, 2026, in Bangkok, DZ BANK hosted its traditional reception in collaboration with the think tank OMFIF (Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum). Under the theme “Paths to Prosperity: Forging Growth, Trade, and Investment Between Europe and Asia,” approximately 120 high-level decision-makers, business partners, and central bank representatives discussed economic alliances, free trade agreements, and financial market stability.
Global Conference in Asia and the Role of the Cooperative Model
Every three years, the Washington-based IMF and World Bank hold their annual meeting in a member country. Given the global dynamics and emerging international alliances, the Thai capital, Bangkok, provided a fitting venue for this year’s conference. For DZ BANK, this also presented an ideal opportunity to highlight the value of cooperative partnerships: The cooperative ideal, which forms the foundation of the approximately 650 cooperative banks in Germany, also has a long and successful tradition in Asia.
Opening Remarks by Cornelius Riese: Free Trade and Alliances Against Fragmentation
The program began with opening remarks by DZ BANK CEO Cornelius Riese, who addressed the tension between global fragmentation and new partnerships. Speaking to the guests in attendance, Riese underscored the need for closer cooperation: “We find ourselves in a period where the sense of community and cohesion is under severe strain, both within many societies, and between countries. This is happening at the worst possible time. It is all the more encouraging, that, alongside traditional ties, new and revitalized economic and strategic alliances are gaining momentum and credibility – especially between Asia and Europe!”
Riese highlighted recent progress on bilateral and multilateral trade agreements as a key driver of this development. To realize measurable economic benefits, he urged that ongoing negotiations be concluded swiftly and that agreements already reached be ratified promptly.
Macroeconomic Outlook and High-Profile Panel Discussion
Before the panel discussion began, Prakash Kannan, Managing Director and Chief Economist of the sovereign wealth fund GIC and a former economist at the IMF and the Malaysian central bank, provided an overview of the overall macroeconomic situation. Following this, an internationally renowned panel, moderated by OMFIF Chairman David Marsh, explored policy options for policymakers and the financial sector. Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel strongly advocated for free trade and intensive international cooperation. Mark Burgess, Director at the Australian Retirement Trust Board and former head of the Future Fund, highlighted the institutional investor perspective between the Asia-Pacific region and Europe.
Olli Rehn, Governor of the Bank of Finland and former Vice President of the European Commission, presented the European governance perspective, while Zeti Akhtar Aziz, former Governor of the Central Bank of Malaysia, discussed the lessons learned from past Asian financial crises and the importance of stable central bank cooperation. Souâd Benkredda, Deputy Chairwoman of the Executive Board at DZ BANK, represented the capital markets and financing perspective: Among other responsibilities, she oversees the areas of financial markets, project financing, and international business, and enriched the debate with her many years of leadership experience in the Asian region. Referring to DZ BANK’s international locations, she emphasized how important solid financing structures and global networks are for supporting German small and medium-sized enterprises worldwide. With this in mind, the bank had already opened a new representative office in Hanoi in the fall of 2025.
Conclusion: Reliable Partnerships as Anchors of Stability
The IMF Annual Meeting in Bangkok underscored once again that the targeted expansion of robust trade relations and cross-border investments between Europe and Asia is crucial. The DZ BANK reception, held in cooperation with OMFIF, provided economic policy insights and strengthened the bank’s international network in the Asia-Pacific region.
Author: Irina Gaisdörfer, Press Spokesperson at DZ BANK
