This newsletter is published every quarter or more frequently if the recent development needs immediate attention from the industry, and updates members on regulatory and tax changes in jurisdictions across the Asia Pacific region.

  • In April's issue, we have included:

    Australia

    • Australian Government Consults on Climate-related Financial Disclosures

    British Virgin Islands

    • British Virgin Islands Regulatory Obligations and Filing Deadlines 2023

    Cayman Islands

    • Helping to Manage the Challenges of SFDR Article 8 and 9 Funds

    China

    • China Issues New Regulations on Medium and Long-term Foreign Debt
    • AMAC Released The Guidelines for The Pilot Filing Of Private Real Estate Investment Funds

    Hong Kong

    • Cross-agency Steering Group Announces Collaboration with CDP to Enhance Data Availability and Sustainability Reporting In Hong Kong
    • Foreign-sourced Income Exemption under new FSIE regime

    Japan

    • FSA Proposes Amendments to Supervisory Guidelines Regarding ESG Investment Trusts

    Korea

    • FSC Announces Measures to Improve Foreign Investors' Access to Korean Capital Markets

    Singapore

    • MAS Revises Lodgment Practice Note for Collective Investment Schemes
    • Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD) Rates to be Raised for Higher-Value Properties

    Lastly, we would like to thank our committee who helped putting together the newsletter. Details about this committee can be found here.

    April 2023 - Regulatory and Tax NewsletterPDF
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  • In November's issue, we have included:

    Australia

    • Select corporate tax highlights of Australia’s budget

    British Virgin Islands

    • What You Need to Know About BVI Voluntary Liquidations

    Cayman Islands

    • New Regulatory Considerations for End of Year Liquidations

    China

    • Mainland China’s security assessment measures on cross-border transfers of data takes effect

    Hong Kong

    • A closer look at the new foreign-sourced income exemption regime

    Malaysia

    • Taxation of foreign source income: Guidelines on tax treatment in relation to income which is received from abroad

    Singapore

    • Circular on Enhancing Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Controls in the VCC Sector
    • Commencement of New Requirements under the Corporate Registers (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act

    United Kingdom

    • Compliance with the UK register of overseas entities

    Vietnam

    • Amendments on a number of articles of decrees on Value Added Tax (VAT)

    Lastly, we would like to thank our committee who helped putting together the newsletter. Details about this committee can be found here.

    November 2022 - Regulatory and Tax NewsletterPDF
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  • In September's issue, we have included:

    Australia

    • ASIC extends transitional relief for foreign financial services providers
    • Australian Government consults on taxation treatment of digital currency
    • Australian Treasury consults on multinational tax integrity and enhanced tax transparency measures

    China

    • China releases security assessment measures for data export
    • Joint Announcement of the People’s Bank of China, the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority

    Hong Kong

    • SFC publishes review of online brokerage, distribution and advisory services
    • SFC updates FAQs relating to investment-linked assurance schemes

    Japan

    • FSA publishes draft guidelines providing details on creating, recordkeeping and reporting of transaction information in respect of derivatives transactions
    • FSA publishes report and draft code of conduct for ESG evaluation and data providers

    Singapore

    • MAS publishes circular on disclosure and reporting guidelines for retail ESG funds
    • MAS publishes information paper on strengthening AML/CFT practices for external asset managers
    • MAS publishes circular on reporting of significant redemption, gating and suspension of funds

    Lastly, we would like to thank our committee who helped putting together the newsletter. Details about this committee can be found here.

    September 2022 - Regulatory and tax newsletterPDF
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  • In June's issue, we have included:

    Australia

    • ASIC consults on financial services licensing requirements for corporate collective investment vehicles

    Cayman Islands

    • Inspections by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority on Registered Persons under the Securities Investment Business Act
    • Enforcement Guidelines in respect of the Common Reporting Standard and Economic Substance frameworks

    China

    • HKEX signs MOU with CEEX to explore Greater Bay Area, international carbon opportunities

    Hong Kong

    • Circular to REIT managers and applicants: Consequential amendments to the REIT Code in relation to conduct requirements for bookbuilding and placing activities
    • Proposed Family Office Tax Exemption Regime in Hong Kong
    • Circular to licensed corporations' importance of business continuity planning amidst latest COVID-19 situation

    Japan

    • Japan to regulate use and purchase of strategic real estate

    Singapore

    • Updated conditions of Sections 13O and 13U applications for family offices
    • MAS revises FAQs on licensing and registration of fund management companies

    Lastly, we would like to thank our committee who helped putting together the newsletter. Details about this committee can be found here.

    June 2022 - Regulatory and tax newsletterPDF
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  • In March's issue, we have included:

    Australia

    • ASIC welcomes new International Sustainability Standards Board and updated climate related disclosure guidance
    • Australian Government consults on regulatory relief for foreign financial services providers

    Cayman Islands

    • Cayman Islands and the EU AML high risk third countries list

    Hong Kong

    • Circular to licensed corporations Updates to the reminder of business continuity planning in view of COVID 19 Vaccination Programme : Temporary Protection Measures for Business Tenants (COVID 19 Pandemic) Bill gazetted
    • Temporary Protection Measures for Business Tenants (COVID 19 Pandemic) Bill gazetted
    • Circular to Licensed Corporations and Associated Entities Anti Money Laundering / Counter Financing of Terrorism Updated AML/CFT Self Assessment Checklist
    • HKEX Publishes Net Zero Guide & Announces New ESG Data Display

    Japan

    • FSA consults on facilitating entry of foreign securities brokers, investment advisors and investment managers into Japanese market
    • JPX Publishes “Survey of TCFD Disclosure in Japan”

    Korea

    • Potential Comprehensive Real Estate Tax Bomb on Land for AMCs

    Singapore

    • Variable Capital Companies (Consequential Amendments to Other Acts) Order 2022 gazetted
    • MAS revises guidelines on licensing, registration and conduct of business for fund management companies

    United States

    • SEC Proposes Sweeping New Interventions in the Private Funds Market

    Lastly, we would like to thank our committee who helped putting together the newsletter. Details about this committee can be found here.

    March 2022 - Regulatory and tax newsletterPDF
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  • In November's issue, we have included:     

    Australia

    • ASIC publishes report on state of competition in Australian funds management industry
    • Government consults on evaluation of 2021 foreign investment reforms

    British Virgin Islands (BVI)

    • British Virgin Islands introduces data protection act
    • Economic Substance reporting requirements

    China

    • China releases Personal Information Protection Law

    Hong Kong

    • Government responds to inclusion of Hong Kong in EU's watchlist on tax co-operation
    • SFC to introduce questionnaire on asset management activities regarding private funds and managed accounts
    • SFC concludes consultation on anti-money laundering guidelines
    • SFC concludes consultation on climate-related risks in funds
    • HKMA releases the guideline on fund certification for carried interest tax concession

    Japan

    • Japan Enacts Law Restricting Land Use Near Important Facilities and on Islands Near Borders

    Korea

    • FSC informs financial investment businesses about upcoming changes in PEF rules

    Malaysia

    • Malaysia is now added to the revised European Union’s List of Non-Cooperative Jurisdictions for Tax Purposes

    Singapore

    • Public consultation on proposed changes to the Limited partnership Act
    • SGX introduces listing framework for special purpose acquisition companies
    • SGX consults on mandatory climate reporting, board diversity disclosures and common set of core ESG metrics
    • MAS revises compliance toolkits for fund managers

    Lastly, we would like to thank our committee who helped putting together the newsletter. Details about this committee can be found here.

    November 2021 - Regulatory and tax newsletterPDF
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  • In July's issue, we have included:     

    Australia

    • Government to consult on revisions to relief regime for foreign financial service providers
    • APRA releases guidance on managing the financial risks of climate change

    Cayman Islands

    • Economic Substance Regime Extended to Partnerships
    • FATCA and CRS Updates
    • AEOI Reporting Deadlines

    China

    • China releases draft implementation rules on cross boundary wealth management connect pilot scheme in Greater Bay Area for public comment.

    Hong Kong

    • SFC announces launch of grant scheme for open ended fund companies and real estate investment trusts. SFC previews new electronic licensing services
    • Government announces passage of Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Tax Concessions for Carried Interest) Bill 2021

    Japan

    • Clarification of taxation of carried interest for individuals as fund managers in Japan

    Korea

    • Authorities to Ease LTV Rules and Enhance Support for Rent to Help Strengthen Housing Ladder

    Singapore

    • MAS responds to feedback received on consultation on revisions to misconduct reporting requirements for representatives, and consults on proposals to mandate reference checks beyond representatives
    • Guide for climate related disclosures and framework for green trade finance

    Lastly, we would like to thank our committee who helped putting together the newsletter. Details about this committee can be found here.

    July 2021 - Regulatory and tax newsletterPDF
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  • [Slides] Ireland-Luxembourg-Hong Kong-Singapore fund structure comparisonPDF
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    [Recording] Ireland-Luxembourg-Hong Kong-Singapore fund structure comparisonVIDEO
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  • In March’s issue, we have included:     
                  

    Australia

    • New foreign investment laws in place from 1 January 2021
    • CORIE framework launched to test cyber resilience of Australia's financial services industry
    • ASIC issues information sheet on managing conduct risk during LIBOR transition

    Cayman Islands

    • DITC Economic Substance update – January 2021
    • Cayman Islands and the FATF "Monitoring List"

    China

    • China and EU reach agreement in principle on investment

    Hong Kong

    • Bill providing tax concessions for carried interest distributed by eligible private equity funds operating in Hong Kong gazetted
    • SFC previews new electronic licensing services
    • SFC shares inspection findings of anti-money laundering/counter-financing of terrorism controls and compliance practices

    Japan

    • FSA announces publication of first report by Working Group on Capital Market Regulations of Financial System Council

    Korea

    • FSC to promote role of securities firms in corporate financing and venture capital market

    Singapore

    • Guidelines on Environmental Risk Management for Asset Managers
    • MAS announces launch of grant scheme to support green and sustainability-linked loans

    Lastly, we would like to thank our committee who helped putting together the newsletter. Details about this committee can be found here.

    March 2021 - Regulatory and tax newsletterPDF
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  • In December's issue, we have included:     

    Australia

    • Government consults on permanent reforms in respect of virtual meetings and electronic document execution

    Cayman Islands

    • Cayman Islands Economic Substance Reporting and Notification
    • EU Removes the Cayman Islands from Annex I
    • Further Amendments to the Companies law, LLC law and SIBL.

    China

    • China releases draft Personal Information Protection Law for public comment

    European Union (EU)

    • Sustainable financial disclosures: Key Deadlines for Global Investment Managers

    Hong Kong

    • Consultation conclusions on proposed amendments to the Code on REITs
    • Abolition of Doubled Ad Valorem Stamp Duty on non-residential property transactions
    • SFC launches consultation on climate-related risks in funds
    • SFC launches consultation on anti-money laundering guidelines
    • SFC issues circular on implementation of changes to open-ended fund companies’ regime

    Korea

    • Government revises rules to facilitate accounting and audit reforms

    Singapore

    • COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Temporary Relief for Inability to Perform Contracts) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations 2020 gazetted
    • MAS publishes compliance toolkits for real estate investment trust managers and fund managers
    • MAS issues guidelines to strengthen culture of responsibility and ethical behavior in the financial industry
    • MAS and Financial Industry Extend Support for Individuals and SMEs who Need More Time to Resume Loan Repayments

    Lastly, we would like to thank our committee who helped putting together the newsletter. Details about this committee can be found here.

    December 2020 - Regulatory and Tax newsletterPDF
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