Asian companies should return to issuing new equity capital market products in strength next year as the region's financial turmoil dies down, according to equity capital market joint venture ABN Amro Rothschild.
Managing director Michiel Steenman said the turmoil had resulted in up to 100 companies across the region putting fund-raising on hold but they would seize the 'window of opportunity' once it appeared.
Mr Steenman said: 'We are still positive about the new issue market for 1998.
'The market might not be as good as 1997, but companies will still require funding and will continue to provide new issue products.'' He said the extent of new business ABN Amro Rothschild and others would acquire depended on how the region's countries dealt with the challenges they faced.
He said the bulk of corporate fund-raising in the region would be from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore as these markets had the soundest fundamentals.
The rest of the regional markets 'still remain questionable'.
Mr Steenman said many corporates seeking new funds might turn to convertible bond issues rather than making new share placements.