Offshore
Asian GPs favor Singapore after Cayman as fund domicile - survey
Singapore would be the jurisdiction of choice for Asia-based private equity managers if they could no longer domicile their funds in the Cayman Islands, according to a survey by law firm Walkers.
In scope: Asian fund managers and Cayman
Asian private equity firms may start moving their fund management entities away from the Cayman Islands due to new economic substance requirements. Is Hong Kong ready to accept them?
Hong Kong tax: Playing catch-up
Hong Kong is introducing various initiatives intended to encourage private equity firms to bring more of their operations onshore. A failure to act may see Singapore emerge as Asia’s jurisdiction of choice
PE industry cautiously optimistic on Hong Kong tax reforms
Industry participants have praised steps taken by the Hong Kong government to make it easier for private equity firms to operate locally, while cautioning that challenges remain regarding the regulation of managers in the territory.
Offshore service providers see regulation driving up costs - survey
The law firms, corporate service providers and accountants responsible for the offshore structures that underpin most private equity funds and transactions expect costs to rise as tighter regulations take hold.
VIDEO: Guernsey Finance's Dominic Wheatley
Investors are increasingly looking to run their activities through high quality rather than mass-market jurisdictions in response to stricter regulatory scrutiny, according to Dominic Wheatley, CEO of Guernsey Finance
Nomura forms PE joint venture in Shenzhen
Japan’s Nomura Asset Management has set up a joint venture with Shenzhen Hua Xia Ren He Capital Management to conduct private equity fund business in China.
OCBC launches $100m QFLP fund in Shanghai
OCBC Bank has launched a $100 million private equity fund under the Shanghai Qualified Foreign Limited Partner (QFLP) pilot program. The vehicle should make it easier for Singaporean lender to invest in domestic Chinese companies as it aims to develop...
Australian Tax Office warns foreign investors on compliance
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has written to 130 private equity firms offering to “assist with their compliance” as it scrutinizes the pipeline of upcoming IPOs to ensure foreign investors don’t avoid paying local tax.
Hong Kong PE regulation: The quest for certainty
Proposals have been released on extending Hong Kong’s offshore funds tax exemption to include PE and setting up open-ended investment companies. Market watchers are encouraged, but know they must be patient
Walkers adds to Hong Kong investment funds group
Walkers, a global law firm specializing in offshore services, has appointed Mark Cummings as counsel in its investment funds group in Hong Kong. Cummings, who joins the firm from Appleby, advises private equity and hedge fund managers on establishing...
Chongqing launches RQFLP program for offshore RMB funds
The Chongqing government has rolled out a trial Renminbi Qualified Foreign Limited Partner (RQFLP) program, easing the path for offshore renminbi-denominated funds to invest in private equity.
India expects tax settlement with Vodafone, seeks to reassure investors
The Indian government is close to settling its $2.6 billion tax dispute with Vodafone, according to the country’s finance minister. If the issue can be resolved it would reassure foreign investors’ concerned about the tax treatment of transactions...
Offshore investors: Leap into the unknown
With commitments from domestic LPs easing off, Australian, Japanese and Korean GPs are looking to raise capital from overseas investors. They are entering new territory and some are better prepared than others
Bedell Cristin to offer BVI legal services from Singapore
International law firm Bedell Cristin has opened an office in Singapore from which it will provide British Virgin Islands (BVI) legal services to clients throughout Asia. Stephen Adams, who joined Bedell from BVI law firm Barker Adams at the beginning...
Vistra launches umbrella fund structure
Vistra Fund Services has launched an umbrella fund structure through which clients can establish segregated portfolio or sub-funds in Hong Kong, the Cayman Islands, the Netherlands and the UK. Known as the Privium Capital Fund, it offers a fast and cost...
Xunlei backs out of IPO due to market volatility
Xunlei, the Chinese software company backed by Morningside Technologies, IDG Ventures and Ceyuan Funds, has shelved plans for a $200 million IPO on NASDAQ.
Australian Tax Office sees TPG-Myer court ruling overturned
An Australian Federal Court has overturned an earlier ruling that allowed the Australian Tax Office (ATO) to serve legal documents to TPG Capital’s country head as part of its efforts to settle a A$739 million ($784 million) tax bill arising from the...
Fund formation: Singapore asserts its onshore qualities
Asia-focused private equity players from the likes of India and Australia are becoming fans of Singapore’s tax-efficient offshore structures