Singapore, 27 April 2021 -The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) announced today a new partnership between MAS and the private sector to strengthen Singapore’s value proposition as a leading full-service asset management and fund domiciliation hub.
The Singapore Funds Industry Group (SFIG) will bring together all the key players across the entire asset management value chain, including not just fund managers but also service providers, such as lawyers, tax advisors, fund administrators and directors. These service providers work closely with fund managers to support a fund’s operations throughout its life cycle in areas such as fund structuring and set-up, fund administration, regulatory reporting, tax advisory, and fiduciary oversight.
The SFIG will identify emerging industry trends and formulate strategies to develop the asset management ecosystem. The SFIG will comprise four working groups (WGs).
The SFIG Executive Committee (ExCo) is co-chaired by Mr Kai-Niklas Schneider, Managing Partner, Head of Funds and Investment Group, Clifford Chance Singapore and Ms Gillian Tan, Assistant Managing Director (Development & International), MAS. The ExCo comprises senior industry leaders and industry associations representing fund managers and fund service providers. The full list of members can be found in the Annex.
Mr Schneider said, “As the leading onshore asset management hub in Asia with a business-friendly environment, robust regulatory framework, extensive double taxation treaty network and an ecosystem of experienced service providers, Singapore is uniquely positioned to benefit from the current trend for funds to be domiciled alongside their managers in onshore jurisdictions with substance. As Singapore continues to solidify its position as a premier funds centre, SFIG will play a critical role in coordinating efforts of MAS and private sector stakeholders to continue to drive sustainable development and growth of the Singapore funds industry. I look forward to working with the MAS team on this important initiative.”
Ms Tan said, “Singapore is a leading pan-Asian asset management hub with a diverse base of more than 1,000 fund managers. Assets under management have grown at a compound annual growth rate of 11% over the last five years to S$4 trillion at the end of 2019. More than 260 Variable Capital Companies (VCCs) have been set up in Singapore since the launch of the VCC framework in January last year. Looking ahead, there is much scope for the funds industry in emerging growth areas such as green finance and sustainability, technology and innovation. The SFIG will maximise synergies across players from various industries to deepen Singapore’s value proposition as a leading international funds hub.”
Re-disseminated by The Asian Banker