Irish Funds has welcomed completion of a key financial services bill that has been in the works for over five years and is expected to create 3,000 jobs by 2025 while attracting up to EUR20 billion per annum in global private capital.
By Stéphane Badey, Arendt – These are uncertain times, but three solid trends driving the Luxembourg investment funds market can be highlighted.
The private equity industry is currently navigating a number of challenges in addition to the Covid-19 pandemic, which the whole world is facing. As regulation and political will around environment, social and governance (ESG) factors grows, PE firms are coming under increased pressure to incorporate this approach into their investment strategies. These firms are also keeping a close eye on the progress of the Brexit negotiations to make sure to maintain their access to Europe.
Q&A with Marcus Peter & Irina Stoliarova, GSK Stockman
What are the key trends currently driving growth and development within Luxembourg’s funds industry?
By Marc-André Bechet, ALFI – Luxembourg is in a quite unique position as a global funds jurisdiction compared to other financial centres in the European Union. The country enjoys an unrivalled political and economic stability. It benefits from a triple A rating with a stable outlook, which has been re-confirmed in September by the three rating agencies Fitch, Standard & Poor’s and DBRS Morningstar. Luxembourg is one of the ten countries worldwide with a triple A rating. Debt to GDP, although on the rise as a consequence of the current crisis, will soon reach 26 per cent but remains well below debt levels in the EU.
By A Paris – Uncertainty remains the order of the day as the world heads into a period of slow recovery which risks being scuppered by a variety of factors including the US elections, trade tensions and the prolonged impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Financial services practitioners in Luxembourg, like their peers in other jurisdictions, have had to navigate this volatile environment while continuing to provide a seamless service to clients.
The Irish funds industry may have some catching up to do in the private funds space, but as the government gears up to introduce a refreshed Investment Limited Partnerships Act, the jurisdiction is expected to see an influx of managers from the UK, the US and further afield choosing to set up their private funds in Ireland.
Private equity groups keen to bolster their ‘green’ credentials may wish to consider how they might avail of upcoming Proposed Taxonomy Regulation in Europe, as they seek to standardise, and measure, the real impact of sustainable investments in their portfolios.
The swathe of transparency disclosures required by new and upcoming regulation has been putting pressure on private equity firms. However, PE managers can work with pragmatic and knowledgeable law firms to understand exactly how the rules apply to their particular situation and consider whether there is a basis for limiting disclosure about their business and their investors.
Q&A with Mark Shaw, Partner, Wildgen Investment Fund…