The country has slowly liberalised its financial markets, but it can do more to attract international investors, says the Asia Securities Industry Financial Markets Association.
Big fixed income investors will see the newly approved China-Hong Kong bond trading link as inferior to other access channels, though smaller players should find it useful, say industry experts.
A bond-trading link between Hong Kong and China is unlikely to attract strong retail flows and could distract from the opening of the mainland interbank debt market, says the association's CEO.
China's onshore and offshore bond markets are likely to be connected to each other in the coming months, AsianInvestor has been told. This is despite concerns over the different trading systems used.
The industry association says share-transfer and pre-delivery rules are preventing long-only managers from using the trading link. It expects regulators to tackle the latter issue early in 2015.
Charles Li, chief of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing, voices confidence that uncertainties surrounding tax issues will be cleared up before the trading scheme’s launch next week.
CPPIB, Omers and OTPP are busy hiring in the region for investment talent in credit, real assets and particularly equities. Omers is also planning to add office space in Singapore.
China Pacific Insurance appoints new chairwoman, COO; AMP's CEO to leave by third quarter; Robeco announces duo in senior China roles; Axa IM hires head of institutional sales for Asia; GLP names co-president for logistics; BlackRock sells onshore Korea distribution business; Income Partners poaches head of distribution from Vanguard; and more.
Swiss Re hires head of China asset management business; BlackRock deregisters its China WFOE; DWS names head of Apac insurance coverage; Amundi appoints first Asia sustainability officer; Manulife IM appoints senior portfolio manager for asset allocation; Morgan Stanley IM hires portfolio manager for A-shares; and more.
Although sustainable funds have seen increasing inflows amid growing environmental awareness and the spotlight on social issues due to Covid-19, the industry still lacks a standard definition of sustainable investing. Nicholette MacDonald-Brown, head of European blend equities at Schroders, explains the firm’s three-pronged approach of people, process and purpose.
Special purpose acquisition companies (Spacs) have gained ground as financing vehicles for companies looking to go public. But Asian family offices have yet to make many investments.
De-risking and green securitisation will help unlock much-needed institutional capital for sustainable infrastructure projects in Asia, say executives at multilateral development banks.
The Singapore state fund recently bought into impact investing specialist LeapFrog, and is eyeing more investments that combine strong financial returns with a positive social effect.