The Rise of the New East (PDF)

Ben Simpfendorfer is Founder and Managing Director of Silk Road Associates, a strategy consultancy based in Hong Kongwith offices in Beijing and Melbourne. Ben assists multinationals and mid-market firms develop their business strategies in Asia and the Middle East. Ben was the former Chief China Economist for RBS and Senior China Economist for JPMorgan where he advised some of the world's largest financial institutions and multinationals. He writes a regular column for FT.com's beyondbrics and is the bestselling author of The New Silk Road (Palgrave, 2009). He is also associated with the international advisory, Global Strategic Associates.

'Simpfendorfer gives his topic a thorough treatment. His insights give an impressive oversight into key trends shaping the region a combination of anecdotes, personal travel tales, and a lot of statistics in a book that is easy to read' -Financial Times beyondbrics

"A canny snapshot of a sprawling, kaleidoscopic and ever growing marketplace...Simpfendorfer writes with vibrancy and enthusiasm" -Kirkus

"The Rise of the New East presents insightful and thought-provoking views of the business opportunities and challenges in the vast markets of Asia. The book provides compelling evidence, using fascinating and fun real-world stories from the author's wide experience in Asia. Key reading for anyone who wants to understand the changing dynamics in the markets of the East."

- Frank Newman, former Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Treasury Department, former CEO of Bankers Trust, and former CEO of Shenzhen Development Bank, China

"Ben is a thorough and totally involved observer of matters Eastern with an ability to articulate his thoughts clearly both orally and, as in this case, in a totally unstuffy, readable and informative book. A tireless traveler with an enquiring economist's mind, he shines because of his ability to cross cultural and language barriers with an ease I have yet to find in others."

- David Eldon, former Chairman of HSBC Asia Pacific

"No one is better qualified or more engaging than Ben Simpfendorfer to describe, analyze and explain the stunning rise and turbulence of the 'New Asia'. While engaging us with great stories, Ben nevertheless avoids the temptation to simplify what is inherently complex: his deep appreciation of economics, culture and politics stretching from China to the Arab world informs his analysis with powerful subtlety and insight. For anyone who cares about the shape of the next 20 years, this is required, and rewarding, reading."

- Teresa Barger, CEO and CIO, Cartica Capital and