Global Custodian Spring 2020 | Page 57

[ M A R K E T Paribas Securities Services.  "The corporate tax rate is very low, it can be used as a standalone or umbrella structure where there are multiple sub-funds, and allows managers to have different investment strategies upfront.” In addition, while Australia has the largest fund management industry in the Asia-Pacific region, the introduction of the CCIV could prove to be a boon for the country to become a cross-border hub. Firstly, they have an internationally recognised corporate structure limited by R E V I E W shares, and are designed to integrate with the ARPF cross-border initiative. They also complement existing regulatory frameworks, potentially creating cost efficiencies and reducing compliance costs. And they’re off Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore has certainly started an arms race, building their funds markets with favourable regulations and tax benefits to win favour from both regional and international “Between the OFC and VCC, there is a race between these two to become an international centre and attract fund managers.” REMI TOUCHEBOEUF, HEAD OF APAC INVESTMENT AND FUND SERVICES, BNP PARIBAS SECURITIES SERVICES | [ F D U E N P D A R M T A M N E A N G T E | M E H N E D T ] asset managers. While their aims and goals are similar, the experience of each market - and the reception from investment firms to these structures - has not been the same. "The levels of maturity between these fund structures is quite different. Australia’s CCIV is defined with the perspective of the ARFP passporting initiative but it has not produced a lot of interest, there are still questions over tax and there is a lack of incentives for fund managers,” highlights Remi Toucheboeuf, head of APAC investment and fund services, BNP Paribas Securities Services. “Between the OFC and VCC, there is a race between these two to become an international centre and attract fund managers. They have encouraged fund managers to use unit trusts but have so far been quite complicated to run.” Spring 2020 globalcustodian.com 57