The next dimension for Cyprus: Investment funds

The 6^th International Funds Summit, which was held on November 16-17 in a hybrid manner, confirmed in the best way the dynamics of the investment funds sector in Cyprus even during the conditions under which many nations have been locked down by their respective governments.

The conference, organised by Invest Cyprus and the Cyprus Investment Funds Association (CIFA), gathered a large number of delegates with most of them coming from abroad. Specifically, there were more than 500 delegates, of which about 400 were executives in investment funds, related service providers and supervisory authorities from abroad.

This year’s conference focused on the “Next Chapter” of the investment funds sector and addressed key issues such as the supervisory landscape, the asset allocation models of investment funds globally, asset management, sustainable and ethical investments and the role of technology.

Besides Finance Minister Constantinos Petrides and the Chairwoman of the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission Demetra Kalogerou, eminent individuals from the Investment Funds sector, both from Cyprus and abroad, participated in the conference.

Indicatively, Tanguy van de Werve, Director-General of the EFAMA, Vassiliki Lazarakou, Chair of the Hellenic Capital Market Commission, Bryan Stirewalt CEO at Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), Rachel Turner, Global Head of Custody Commercial Product Management at BNY Mellon, Sally Wong, CEO of the Hong Kong Investment Funds Association, Lital Dagan, CEO of the Israel Hedge Funds Association, Eric Pinon, Chairman of the French Asset Management Association, David Zahn, Portfolio Manager and Head of European Fixed Income at Franklin Templeton, Daniel Farchy, Senior Investment Officer of the European Investment Bank, Danilo McGarry, Head of Automation at Alter Domus, Erik Rotander, Head of ETF and Index Sales Strategy EMEA at Bloomberg LP and many others expressed their opinions.

At the same time, the conference revealed some very positive news for the investment funds sector and the Cypriot economy at large.

John Sergides, CEO at MUFG Investor Services, disclosed from the podium that the international banking giant is about to expand its operations in Cyprus, as it considers the country to be an ideal destination for investment fund services, due to its geographical location and the quality of services that it can offer. The Mitsubishi UFG Group is a multidimensional group and its banking arm is one of the five largest banking organisations worldwide.

The Group proceeded in 2019 with the acquisition of the Cypriot fintech company Point Nine, through its subsidiary Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation.

The fact that interest for registering investment funds in Cyprus remains strong even during these unprecedented times was confirmed by the Chairwoman of the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission Demetra Kalogerou.

During her intervention in the conference, she reported that a considerable number of business entities have applied for the relevant license. There were 238 undertakings for collective investment under the supervision of the CySec Committee at the end of the second quarter of 2020, whose assets are approaching €8 billion. An increase of about 200% compared to 2016.

President of CIFA Andreas Yiasemides, stated he was optimistic, depending on the circumstances, that the investment funds sector in Cyprus will continue to grow. He noted that according to the data collected by the European Funds and Asset Management Association (EFAMA), in recent years Cyprus showed the largest annual increase in the value of assets under management.

The advantages of Cyprus as a destination for investment funds, as well as the general comparative advantages of the country as a destination for investors and large international groups, were also analysed by George Campanellas, CEO at Invest Cyprus.