Regulation
Hong Kong advisory body criticizes ineffective PE tax policy
Hong Kong’s tax exemption for offshore private equity funds – introduced with a view to encouraging managers to expand their presence in the territory – has failed to deliver, according to the advisory body that made detailed proposals as to how...
Q&A: Singapore Exchange's Mohamed Nasser Ismail
The Singapore Exchange (SGX) has announced several initiatives aimed at supporting technology start-ups. Mohamed Nasser Ismail, head of equity capital markets (SME), explains why a more active role is necessary
PE executives in government: Late to the party
With private equity executives playing an unprecedented role in the Trump administration, the advantages that PE can bring to government – and vice versa – has come into the spotlight
Hong Kong tech IPOs: Compromise solution
Hong Kong wants to reinvest itself as a destination for Chinese technology listings with a new board that would be open to companies that are pre-profit and have dual-class share structures. Will it fly?
PE and Islamic finance: Underlying themes
Encouraging trends in population, social mobility, commodities, technology, and governance standards are converging on Islamic finance. PE plays a small role with strong upside in Asia
Taiwan regulator nixes Carlyle's EBC exit
The Carlyle Group appears to have hit a wall in its latest attempt to exit Taiwan TV station Eastern Broadcasting (EBC) as the National Communication Commission (NBC) blocked a sale to Taiwan Optical Platform, a local telecom services provider.
India demonetization: After the storm
In the aftermath of India’s demonetization policy, the direst predictions have failed to materialize. But the experience has also shown how little power PE firms have in some situations
Vietnam SOEs: Shifting ground
Vietnam’s state-owned enterprise (SOE) privatization initiative continues to produce investment opportunities, but private equity firms must be prepared for a hard sell when negotiating
Indonesia resources: Storms and blue sky
Indonesia’s resources sector has proven a socially and politically tumultuous investment environment in recent years. GPs are monitoring the headline issues and maintaining long-term confidence
Australia's First Super halts PE investments
First Super, an Australian pension fund that represents workers in the timber, pulp and paper and furniture and joinery industries, has suspended its PE investment program over concerns about poor labor practices in portfolio companies.
China outbound M&A: The smarter money
Despite regulatory curbs on Chinese outbound investment, companies are still interested in M&A opportunities – and they are pursuing less high-profile assets with greater sophistication
VIDEO: Lorna Chen, Shearman & Sterling
Lorna Chen, partner and head of the Asia asset management and investment funds practice at Shearman & Sterling, discusses China outbound investment
Australia to streamline foreign investment approvals
The Australian government has proposed an amendment to foreign investment rules introduced in late 2015 that require some private equity firms to obtain regulatory approval when making a buyout.
China outbound M&A: Time will tell
Restrictions on outbound investment have China’s investor community scrambling to adapt, but devising a proper response depends on future decisions from notoriously opaque regulatory agencies
Cost conundrum: Super funds, fees and private equity
Australian regulators want greater consistency in how superannuation funds report costs and fees to members. While sound in principle, the draft measure is problematic in practice, especially for private equity
Buyouts: More trouble in Taiwan
The collapse of a Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia-backed bid to acquire CNS from MBK Partners once again underlines the challenges facing buyout investors in Taiwan, on entry and exit
Singapore proposes simpler regulatory framework for VCs
Singapore should make it easier for venture capital firms to establish themselves locally and take steps to attract more private equity investors to the country as part of efforts to fill the funding gap, a government-appointed panel has recommended.
MSPEA, Far EasTone abandon bid for Taiwan's CNS
Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA) and Far EasTone Telecommunications have withdrawn their bid for Taiwan cable TV operator China Network Systems (CNS) after the deal became bogged down by regulatory reviews.
India budget promotes foreign investment, clarifies PE tax
India’s new Union Budget includes several measures intended to provide much-needed clarity related to tax burdens for investors in Indian companies including private equity funds.
China-US: Outbound angst
Controls on capital outflows imposed by Beijing and concerns about a more aggressive trade policy out of Washington mean Chinese investment in the US is unlikely to match 2016's highs, but this is not necessarily bad for Chinese PE investors
Taiwan regulators stress openness to private equity - AVCJ Forum
Taiwan’s government has reiterated its openness to foreign investment, despite several notable private equity and M&A deals getting rejected by the regulators.
Hong Kong PE: Institutional outpost
Hong Kong's regulatory approach can cause headaches for GPs, but the territory offers investors a number of advantages as well
Demonetization only a short-term negative for India PE - AVCJ Forum
India’s demonetization policy, which has seen the most commonly used banknotes removed from circulation as part of efforts to combat counterfeiting and black money, will hurt private equity in the short term, but the longer-term outlook for the industry...
Cash in hand: India's demonetization policy
India's demonetization policy means short-term headaches for private equity, but probably long-term gains