Foremost and most refreshing is, that these leaders are not from the strand of old-style politicians, that we have been used to; far from it, they are professionals and technocrats first and politician second. They are, however, yet to be tested for a prolonged period and judged against some of their dishonest predecessors. Nevertheless, what we see and hear of them brings hope and optimism for the countries they rule or are about to rule.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi of Malaysia is probably the only one of the lot who may be considered a seasoned politician; although he did start his career in the Malaysian bureaucracy. However, to be where he is today, he no doubt had to work his way up the greasy political pole, after joining the ruling party UMNO. But what a difference his professional approach, has already made to Malaysia's world image and future economic path. He is bent on eradicating corruption, and accordingly remodel the bureaucracy. Crony capitalism, which Malaysia was known for during Dr. Mahathir's regime, is now under close scrutiny. Some mega infrastructure projects have been cancelled, under suspicion of been awarded to politically connected parties, by the previous administration or lacking the basis in economic viability. A pious man himself but understands the realities of a globalised world and the importance of Malaysia's integration into this new dynamics. He wants Malaysia to be a symbol of progressive Islam, which has struck a chord with both the Malaysians and the foreign investors.

Dr. Manmohan Singh- the reluctant Prime Minister of India is much more of a known commodity. He is out an out a technocrat, who

led the reform process for India back in the early nineties, when he was the finance minister in the Congress-led Narasima Rao's government. Prior to that, he was the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, having earlier trained as a professional economist. His earlier zeal for economic reform remains unabated; perhaps only tempered by the communists, now his bedfellows in running the government. Notwithstanding, he remains a realist that sees the urgent need for lifting rural India from its current predicament through more reform not less. He is committed to overhauling the bureaucracy as Abdullah in Malaysia and creating an overall enabling environment for foreign investors to part with their capital that will help India grow.

The most thoroughbred technocrat of the lot, even compared to Dr. Manmohan Singh, is perhaps the current Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr.Shawkat Aziz. All through his career he has been an international banker, albeit a successful one, reaching the dizzy heights of senior corporate management at Citibank. President Pervez Musharraf picked him while he was serving at the bank and offered him the post of finance minister. He did an exemplary job there; turned round the finances of an almost a bankrupt country, for which he was rewarded the post of Prime Minister.

Mr. Aziz's vision is also very similar to the two leaders discussed before: the country has to move forward through better management of finances, a liberalised economy, honest bureaucracy and a welcoming environment for foreign investors. Like his peers in other countries, he also recognises that it is only through profitable investment that produces returns, which can alleviate Pakistan's poverty. Most of this investment has to come from abroad, as domestic savings are not enough to generate the required returns.

The newest addition to this breed of professionals is President elect Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia. Little is known about him, except that he did an admirable job in running an election campaign, against his former boss and incumbent- Megawati Sukarnoputri. It was Indonesia's first direct presidential election. President elect Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was a general in the army, but widely regarded as an astute manager and a professional. Under the current regime he held the cabinet post of security chief. He leads a smallish political party, which has won only fifty odd seats in a parliament of five hundred and fifty members. However he has won about 60% of the 91% counted votes in the direct presidential election. His commanding victory will help him to bring some discipline to the disparate social and economic problems Indonesian faces today.

What is common about all these leaders are that they all have professional background and are willing to use it to solve the nation's problem. Some have not necessarily attained power through popular franchise, but have reached the top driven by personal ambition, and perhaps an altruistic desire to bring positive changes to their respective country. They are good managers with proven ability and they all abhor corruption and recognise its curse on society. They have all accepted the predominance of a globalised economy and recognise the urgent need to integrate with and benefit from it.

Bangladesh should take note of this refreshing phenomenon in its neighbouring countries. This shows that there is an alternative to the old style politics that is usually beset with and are steeped in corruption; driven primarily by personal gains. Professionalism, management are leadership are not just business terms for the corporate world; it is applicable for nations too.

As in a competitive business environment the less efficient corporates wither away, in an integrated globalised world the less efficient nations just get forgotten and left behind.

The author, a former investment banker, is currently managing partner of an independent consulting practice based in Singapore.