Singapore as a fund investment platform for Japanese fund managers

This webinar was jointly organized by KPMG in Singapore and Bayfront Law where we shared insights on what makes Singapore an attractive asset management hub and fund domicile/holding platform for investments into Asia-Pacific jurisdictions for Japanese fund managers.

International investors (especially those who invest into Asia-Pacific) are familiar with Singapore’s investment platforms and structures. In recent times, we have witnessed a growth in onshore investment platforms in Asia, underlying the global trend of fund managers bringing operations and investment structures onshore into Singapore.

In January 2020, the Variable Capital Companies Act (VCCA) was introduced in Singapore and this vehicle is proving to be immensely popular as a corporate structure for investment funds.

As a Japanese fund manager, how can you capitalise on this trend?

This session covered the following topics:

• Is Singapore business-friendly for Japanese asset managers?

• Overview of the asset management industry in Singapore including types of fund management licenses.

• Tax implications for Japanese investors and tax incentives available to fund managers and funds set up in Singapore.

• Legal considerations for Japanese fund managers setting up a fund or fund management company in Singapore.

• Commonly used fund vehicles, including Variable Capital Companies.

• Japanese securities regulations applicable to the Singapore fund invested by Japanese investors.
  

If you have missed the live webinar, you may watch a recording of it below.

Should you have any queries, please contact Desley Tan at desleytan@kpmg.com.sg or +65 9628 2098.

Adjunct Professor, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
Asia Fellow, Milken Institute

Kotaro is an Asia fellow at the Milken Institute, and a former senator and parliamentary secretary for economic and fiscal policy in Japan who played a key role in elaborating Abenomics during Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's first administration. He also is an adjunct professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at National University of Singapore and a senior advisor to the China Europe International Business School in Shanghai. A best-selling author, he writes about globalization and Japanese fiscal policy and business practices. He is the very first politician in Japan to become a leading character of Harvard Business School case.

Partner, Head of Real Estate and Asset Management, Tax
KPMG in Singapore

Wee Hwee has an extensive experience in structuring single country and multiple jurisdictions funds with a Asian focus, both close/open ended, listed/unlisted, and across various asset classes. He is also familiar with fund platforms in Singapore, Luxembourg, the Cayman Islands etc, as well as tax efficient divestment planning opportunities for funds with multiple exit strategies. Wee Hwee has also assisted many Singapore and foreign investors to structure their Singapore real estate investments in a tax efficient manner across various asset classes.

Partner
Nishimura & Asahi

Yoshiharu is a partner of Nishimura & Asahi, specializing in Private Equity, Banking, Asset Management/Funds, Project Finance, Acquisition Finance, Compliance, Other Breaches of the Financial Instruments & Exchange Act, Handling Overseas Corporate Scandals, Cross-border Transactions (General).

Director
Bayfront Law LLC

Ryan advises on a wide variety of corporate and commercial matters with a focus on mergers and acquisitions and capital markets transactions as well as investment funds. His legal experience includes advising on mergers and acquisitions, sale and purchase of shares and business transfers, as well as joint ventures. Ryan has also acted for fund managers of private equity funds, hedge funds and venture capital funds as well family offices and assisted with the setting up of funds structures including the variable capital companies.

Director
Business Development, Asset Management & Private Equity
KPMG in Singapore

Desley leads business development in Singapore for asset management clients and is responsible for executing commercial strategies to accelerate new business growth in the region. He acts as the primary contact point for fund managers – understanding their challenges at various stages of the fund cycle and proposing holistic solutions that are delivered through KPMG and its partners. Desley works with international and local fund managers who are keen to set up operations or establish a fund in Singapore.