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Do careers die in Shanghai?

Forget 'Shanghai, Dubai, or goodbye'. Is a move to an emerging market really a one-way bet for your career?

Banks are busy transferring as many staff as possible away from the stagnant centres of London and New York and into the high growth markets of the Middle East and Asia.

But with these markets lacking the depth of their Western counterparts and fund managers such as GMO's Jeremy Grantham arguing that emerging markets are the next big bubble, is now really the time to be going East?

Kaven Leung, chief executive officer for Citi Global Wealth Management Asia Pacific, told the Financial Times this week that smaller banks which have been growing their wealth management platforms in Singapore are in for a struggle: "They will find it much more difficult this year to sustain the kind of business that makes sense, particularly for those who have come late," she says.

Layoffs may ensue. And if - and when - the bubble does burst, it's fair to assume that the Western bankers parachuted into the region without local contacts will be the first to go.

Should you resist the pull of the East? Or are Dubai and Shanghai where it's at? Participate in the global debate below.

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AUTHORefinancialcareers.hk Insider Comment
  • lo
    lol
    21 May 2008

    Ocean, thought of a native speaker....How many languages do you speak?

  • Jo
    John
    13 May 2008

    On Bloomberg Middle East Focus last week, there was an article about the rising cost of living in Dubai. Despite earning a tax-free wage, the government have imposed stringent price increases for electricity and gas exclusively for foreigners. There's even an increase in the amount of enquiries from those wanting to leave. One young lawyer is relocating his family to Tazania!

    Ocean, education isn't wot is yoosed to be!

  • Oc
    Ocean
    12 May 2008

    6 comments, 3 with spelling/grammatical errors. I am amazed that some people have jobs in banking at all!

  • fx
    fx
    11 May 2008

    @ John Lizazo: and...?

  • Tr
    Travellista
    9 May 2008

    Middle East = tax free salary, sun, sea, job security. London and NY= dead markets for the next two years at least.

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The essential daily roundup of news and analysis read by everyone from senior bankers and traders to new recruits.