Asia readies for new hedge accounting rules

A major change in international accounting rules due to come into force in 2013 looks set to dramatically transform the treatment of derivatives used as hedges for corporate transactions. Dealers are predicting a boom in activity in this area. But corporates in Asia are more cautious. Viren Vaghela reports

In late 2010, international accounting standards setters unveiled one of the most significant accounting rule changes in recent years, by promising to align risk management with accounting and facilitate the use of more derivatives for hedging purposes. The move was greeted warmly by the corporates and the derivatives industry in Asia, where some parties believe accounting rules have contained the