30 June 2014

The Lawyer Management Guide 2014


Innovation and disaggregation might be the latest legal buzzwords but our in-house survey reveals that the most important factor when choosing a law firm is good old-fashioned quality


It is essential for law firms to maintain high standards of e-security in a fragmented, remote-working environment


The increasingly fragmented legal market is shaping the office of the future


The main danger when offering a disaggregated legal service is the quality of work of the third party supplier. But there are steps that can be taken to mitigate the risks


Finance teams are transforming firms’ pricing models while remaining profitable, as budgets remain firmly on the client agenda


Marketing and BD teams need to sell lower-cost or disaggregated legal services to clients – both external and internal


Recruiting, managing and incentivising a flexible workforce may be challenging, but both the firm and the individual benefit


The KM conversation has moved from internal document creation and management to creating value for the client

26 June 2014

Developing Micro-insurance as a Climate Adaptation Strategy for Small Island Coastal Communities: Comparing the needs, viability, and feasibility for micro-insurance in Mauritius, Seychelles, Saint Lucia and Jamaica

The increasing trend in severe weather hazards due to climate change in the face of global economic challenges has exacerbated the necessity for safety nets to protect the most vulnerable communities. Small Island Developing States are among the most exposed to climate change and by extension, catastrophic events that form part of the impacts. This paper examines the development of micro-insurance as a climate adaptation strategy for small island coastal communities in the Indian Ocean and the Caribbean. It seeks to compare the needs, viability, feasibility and potential for micro-insurance in Mauritius, Seychelles, Saint Lucia and Jamaica. The results of the research conducted show that although the islands have similarities and anomalies, it is possible to develop micro-insurance products that cater to their distinct characteristics and that can help to boost resilience of communities in the face of climate change.

AfDB approves US$ 117 million loan for Mauritius power plant

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) approved on 25 June, 2014 a US$ 116.7 million loan to the Mauritius Central Electricity Board (CEB), the state owned electricity utility, for the redevelopment of the Saint Louis Power Plant. The Saint Louis Power Plant Redevelopment Project, which has a total cost of US$ 129.7 million, aims to increase the firm generating capacity of the CEB so as to maintain reliability of supply, reduce environmental impacts and stabilize the electricity supply.

The Saint Louis Power Station is located five kilometres south of the centre of the capital city Port Louis. The project will provide four medium-speed, four-stroke, heavy fuel oil (HFO) driven generators with a capacity of 15 MW each; a power station building; two 1,000 cubic metre tanks for the storage of HFO; and one 132 kV substation for connection of the power plant to CEB’s existing electricity grid.

The electricity produced by the project installations will be distributed to all corners of the main island of Mauritius, where around 97% of the country’s population of 1.29 million reside. “As a result of the project demand, growth could be met guaranteeing the provision of adequate power supply to all sectors of the economy on the main island. Populations in residential area and workers in the industrial zone adjacent to the power station will benefit from reduced levels of gaseous emissions and noises,” said Alex Rugamba, director of the AfDB’s Energy, Environment and Climate Change Department explained.  

Though the CEB is presently able to meet the peak load with the existing installed generation capacity, projections indicate that, without the additional generating capacity made available by the project, it will not be in a position to do so by the second half of 2015. According to electricity supply demand projections, at the end of 2015, the demand of customers in Mauritius will exceed the installed generating capacity connected to the power grid. This project which will increase the installed capacity by 60 MW will contribute to bridge the gap in power supply.

The main sectors of the Mauritius’ economy – tourism, textiles and financial services – are all dependent on the availability of a secure and reliable supply of electricity. The government is currently finalizing a ten-year Economic and Social Transformation Plan (ESTP). For its implementation, the government has prepared the 2014 – 2018 Public Sector Investment Program (PSIP), which includes the proposed project. The government will be relying on the AfDB as a lead financier in closing any gap in the financing of the PSIP.

This project will be the AfDB’s first major intervention in Mauritius’ energy sector. The AfDB has wide experience in similar types of projects in many African countries. The additional knowledge gained under the project will be useful as the Bank designs projects in its island member states and in areas of continental Africa that are far away from transmission grids.

25 June 2014

IMF Launches New Study on Spillovers in International Corporate Taxation

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) today released the study “Spillovers in International Corporate Taxation,” that explores the nature and policy implications of cross-border effects from national corporate tax policies, highlighting how these effects can be significant for developing countries, with resulting tax revenue losses sometimes quite large relative to total government revenues.

Well-known multinational brands have reportedly managed to reduce their global corporate tax bills to almost zero. This has placed corporate tax avoidance by multinationals high on the political agenda, highlighting the spillovers that one country’s tax structure can have on others. The G-20 and OECD’s joint action plan aims to develop better global guidelines and standards for the taxation of multinationals, to reduce the base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) that risk undermining both tax revenues and the effective functioning of the international tax system.

The Fund paper, which draws on its extensive technical assistance experience in this area, goes beyond the BEPS Action Plan and explores the broader macroeconomic and development impact of corporate tax spillovers, including wider issues of tax competition between national governments.

Our technical assistance work in developing countries frequently encounters large revenue losses through gaps and weaknesses in the international tax regime. The sums involved for them can be large, not just relative to corporate tax but relative to all tax revenue: 10–15 percent in some cases,” said Michael Keen, Deputy Director of the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department. “The paper reports new evidence that these effects are in fact systematically more important for developing countries.

Capacity building to implement new guidelines remains important to better cope with spillovers. But weaknesses in domestic laws and international arrangements also must be addressed. The paper flags, for instance, the risk that countries run by signing bilateral tax treaties, such as foregone revenue from withholding taxes and base erosion through treaty shopping. It also draws attention to the ambiguities in many tax laws regarding the taxation of offshore capital gains, often related to extractive industries. And many countries fail to provide protection against excessive debt finance or manipulation of transfer pricing.

Wider reforms to the international tax system that have been proposed address some spillovers under current arrangements but would bring their own difficulties. For instance, formula apportionment, which is widely canvassed, involves significant risk of creating new distortions and may not benefit developing countries.

The paper also stresses that the institutional framework for addressing international spillovers is weak. As the strength and pervasiveness of tax spillovers become increasingly apparent, the case for an inclusive and less piecemeal approach to international cooperation grows.

24 June 2014

Open Garden Releases FireChat

Open Garden announced today that its newest app, 'FireChat', is now capable of cross-platform 'off-the grid' communication. For the first time, people can chat with those around them, even when no Internet connection or cellular coverage is available, and regardless of whether they use an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Android smartphone or Android tablet. The app's name, FireChat, is a play on the universal digital symbol for love.

FireChat leverages and illustrates the new possibilities of peer-to-peer mesh networking technology. The app enables live and anonymous discussions on mobile devices, both on and off-the-grid. Whether you're on the beach or in the subway, at a big game or a trade show, at a concert or traveling abroad, you can now fire up FireChat with a friend or two, find out who else is around and start chatting.

"With summer around the corner, it's time to spread the love and open the walled gardens of peer-to-peer communications. We named this release FireChat, aka 'FireChat Love',  because it brings people together," said Micha Benoliel, Open Garden's CEO and co-founder. "Up until now, off-the-grid messaging between iOS and Android was not possible. Now there is a bridge between these islands. This takes us one step closer to our vision of helping people connect, even when there is no infrastructure. In doing so, we enable communications off the grid, off the expensive data plans, and off the privacy invaders."

FireChat is well suited for any situation where there is no reliable connectivity including schools and colleges, public transportation, stadiums, clubs, concerts, conferences, conventions, construction sites or outdoor festivals. FireChat also enables communication for scenarios such as disaster recovery and public safety.

About FireChat

FireChat is available for free on the App Store and Google Play at GetFireChat.com

FireChat uses mesh networking to give people the ability to chat with others nearby, even when no Internet connection or cellular coverage is available. On iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, FireChat takes advantage of Apple's Multipeer Connectivity Framework. On Android smartphones and tablets, FireChat uses mesh networking technology developed by Open Garden.

FireChat features and capabilities:
  • Chat with anyone around you on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Android smartphones and tablets
  • Works even without any Internet connection or cellular phone coverage
  • See what people are talking about all over the country in the 'Everyone' mode
  • Create your own 'firechats' for live and anonymous discussions
  • Use the 'Nearby' mode for off-the-grid communications, up to 210 feet of your location
  • Multi-hop capabilities extend the range of off-the-grid communications
  • Easy: no Facebook or email login, no password to remember
  • No significant impact on battery consumption
  • Available in English, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Russian and Spanish

23 June 2014

CCAB: Lack of joined-up approach poses money laundering threats, finds new report

The success of the UK’s Anti-Money Laundering regime is being hindered by a disjointed approach, lack of connectivity and co-ordination between organisations, respondents say in a new report from CCAB, the collective forum of accountancy bodies, made up of ICAEW, ACCA, ICAS, CIPFA and Chartered Accountants Ireland.

The report “Coming out in the wash” is based on the views of leading accountancy and business practitioners, policymakers and law enforcement officials in the anti-money laundering sphere.

Despite this, the general view is that while the UK’s anti-money laundering regime is considered to be among the best deterrents, more could be done to strengthen it, including more sharing of information in a timely manner between the relevant organisations involved in tackling money laundering, greater effectiveness in cracking down on cross-border laundering, as well as more resources across all sectors.

They also say that there are misperceptions of the UK’s anti-money laundering regime, of what the regulation is for and the role of professionals in the regime. Their solution to tackle this is the need for a communications drive that focuses on business, and the general public to communicate the valuable work of professions.

The report also claims that more can be done to achieve regulatory consistency of those providing accountancy services under the UK’s anti-money laundering framework, with respondents asserting that those accountants who are regulated by recognised professional bodies are subject to more rigorous controls than those from unrecognised bodies who are monitored by HMRC.

Anthony Harbinson, chair of CCAB, Director of Safer Communities, Northern Ireland Department of Justice, said: “The purpose of this report was to see what was working, what wasn’t and where we need to go as a profession in the future to play a full and effective role in the collective effort to tackle organised crime.

Clearly, across the accountancy profession, AML measures are taken seriously, but the system, although recognised as being among the best in tackling money laundering, is far from perfect. The paper aims to identify where we can work with others in a joined-up approach, to communicate successes and the role of the profession in tackling money laundering, as the regime is implemented by more EU member states and extended by the fourth money laundering directive. It should give food for thought to the authorities on what might be done, in statutory and other terms, to enhance the effectiveness of the regime.

While AML poses challenges to be tackled by the professions, businesses, government and crime fighting agencies collectively, the accountancy profession is keen to play a key role in that effort. However, we cannot do it alone.

Policy makers and regulators have to address the risks posed by unqualified accountants who are perceived as less effective in detecting and guarding against this kind of financial crime. Equally, cross border efforts and the sharing of intelligence is a prerequisite of maintaining an effective system.

The future of AML 

According to the report, research participants think that in future, there will be a greater emphasis on information sharing between stakeholders involved in the AML regime, coupled with a better awareness of AML, especially among businesses and the general public. They also expect to see tighter regulation, with more control of the unregulated sector and a more standardised approach across accountancy firms and the regulated sector.

Anthony Harbinson said: “Organised criminals are well resourced and innovative. Whenever new opportunities present themselves they will be exploited for their potential as devices for laundering money – the current spread of mobile payment technologies is a good example of the dynamic environment we are dealing with. To meet this evolving challenge, all those operating in the financial sector need to maintain the same commitment and professionalism in tackling financial crimes, including those who are currently unregulated or unqualified.

Citco opens office in Guernsey

One of the world's leading fund administrators has established a new office in Guernsey.

Citco Fund Services in Guernsey will provide outsourced fund administration to the book of business that was previously serviced in-house by private equity manager, EQT.

Citco specialises in alternative funds and principally hedge funds and funds of hedge funds but is hoping to build on its private equity offering through the new Guernsey office.

William Keunen, Global Director of Citco Fund Services, said: "Onboarding a strategic client in this way is an ideal arrangement for us and sets us off up and running in Guernsey quickly. We're very proud to be abler to launch our business in such a substantial way and couldn't have done so without our alliance with our client.

"This is a very exciting development for us and for Guernsey. There is a number of Guernsey domiciled and non-Guernsey domiciled funds being serviced here, particularly private equity and we see a lot of opportunity. We are focused on growing the business."

Kevin Stewart, Guernsey's Commerce and Employment Minister, said: "It's always good to see growth in our economy and new people coming in. I hope Citco find us a jurisdiction where government, industry and regulator work really closely together to make sure that Guernsey has a competitive edge."

20 June 2014

Offshore Pilot Quarterly (June 2014, Volume 17 Number 2)

Living in the Time of Twitter

The Panama Canal may have opened its locks 100 years ago this year, changing, literally, the flow of world trade, but 450 years ago this year, as I also mentioned in this month’s Latin Letter in the Offshore Investment magazine, William Shakespeare was born and who opened minds across the globe from his flow of words. He has become the most widely read and studied author in the English language and is at the very heart of the United Kingdom’s culture. How he might have handled today’s blogs, rather than books, however, is anybody’s guess.

Reading brilliant lines, such as the ones created by Shakespeare, between the covers of a book is an experience not shared by too many young people with today’s technological terrain presenting so many alternatives for acquiring knowledge and being entertained. The late Allan David Bloom, an American philosopher, classicist and academician, said that “The failure to read good books both enfeebles the vision and strengthens our most fatal tendency – the belief that the here and now is all there is”. Another American, David Mikics, a scholar trained in Renaissance literature, advocates “old fashioned reading”. It requires a full-length book – not a compendium of abbreviated twitter texts – as well as the readers “rapt attention”. Tapping a screen rather than turning a page gives, what he believes, “a flattened version of life”. It also discourages conversation, when fingers, rather than tongues, rule the day. Albert Einstein had his own view on what the future might hold: “I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots.”

Blood on the Floor

Julius Caesar, Shakespeare’s play, concentrates on the emperor’s assassination in the Roman senate on 15th March, 44 BC, and follows a warning from a soothsayer to “Beware the Ides of March”. Caesar had asked him about the future and then dismissed the advice which, as we know, proved fatal. On 15th March, 2008 AD, many people were also seeking advice about what the future might be, except that this time it was concerning their savings following the repercussions of the subprime mortgage disaster which led to economic turmoil and saw revered financial institutions crumble. The bankers in the United States of America repeated on the residential front what the Japanese, on the commercial front, had done when that country’s property bubble burst in the 1980s after a period of loose credit and experimentation with new financial products. Many of those people looking for answers already felt that they had been betrayed and stabbed in the back, like Caesar, but by financiers rather than friends. The Roman emperor was replaced by the naked emperor, and much of the killing took place on the trading floor rather than Rome’s senate floor. In 1453 it took 40 days for the pope to hear of the fall of Constantinople to the Turks. The plunge in the world’s stock market values in 2008, which throttled the financial world, reached the Vatican and the world’s financial centres a lot quicker, thanks to the advances in communication technology. Bad news has always travelled fast but never as quickly as it does now via computer, often in a matter of seconds. Coincidentally, the first financial crash in the Western World happened after the Holy Roman Empire in 1622 debased its coins; this started the modern day equivalent of a banking panic. 15 years later in Holland we had a financial collapse which stemmed (if you will pardon the pun) from the oft-quoted tulip bulb bubble (giving, in retrospect, a new meaning to the old hippy term, flower power). This was to be followed in the next century by the famous 1720 South Sea bubble in England and there were 8 more crashes during that century, ending in the Hamburg commodities bubble of 1799.

The 19th century, however, was not to be outdone, with a further 18 financial fiascos in Europe alone. A relatively new member of the catastrophe club at the time suffered banking crises in 1819, 1837, 1847, 1857, 1873, 1884, 1890 and 1896. No, this was not a wobbly South American state, it was the US where some investments, you might say, had gone off the rails because much of the speculation had taken place in the railroad sector; commodities, it must be added, played their part as well. Lessons learned? As America’s current economic health is flaunted, loose credit, the good intention that paves the road to hell, is back in fashion.

It was the 20th century, however, that (so far) takes the prize, especially with the stock market meltdowns of 1929 and 1987. Certainly, we know that this century has started off badly in financial terms with the main difference this time being, firstly, the degree to which the capital markets have been affected as opposed to, traditionally, just the banking sector, and, secondly, how the credit risk contagion has spread to a much larger number of investors.

Incompetence and Impudence

John Maynard Keynes was of the opinion that economics was a science rather than an art, suggesting a technical ability which he famously compared with the field of dentistry, hoping for the day when “economists could manage to get themselves thought of as humble, competent people on a level with dentists”. Perhaps they can, but, like the rest of us, they remain emotional animals and their judgement will be affected accordingly. It explains those mass, irrational reactions we have seen when grim news has been disseminated so rapidly in this post-Constantinople age. It is nature asserting itself and for which we have no defence because it is part of our make-up and can’t be avoided. Mark Twain, in his inimitable style, put it another way: “If you should rear a duck in the heart of the Sahara, no doubt it would swim if you brought it to the Nile”.

The US subprime débâcle occurred in tandem with the country’s residential property slump – although the financial mess has been attributed to much more than that. There was the addition of a banking and liquidity crisis to deal with – with a shortage of collateral serving as the sting in the tail. Much has changed in banking since Walter Bagehot, the British author and banker, advised the Bank of England in his 1873 book, “Lombard Street: A description of the Money Market”, to lend willingly to illiquid but solvent banks against good collateral, but at a penal rate. Prominent business writers have pointed to the failings of central bankers who have not met, in their view, the fundamental criteria of the job description: firstly, to ensure the smooth flow of the world’s financial system by maintaining sufficient liquidity in the banking system and, secondly, to set interest rates to counter too much inflation but at the same time avoid doing so in a way that will cause the global economy to move in fits and starts.

Bank supervision has also played its part in the scheme of things because it hasn’t kept pace with important changes in the banking business itself. America’s mortgage market, for example, dealt with shaky loans which were recycled and transmuted into complex debt instruments, many of which were bought by foreign (thus the internationalisation of the crisis) banks. These instruments – with echoes of Enron – were placed in off-balance sheet entities which were unsupervised.

Good advice and uncertainty are factors that have equal application in offshore estate planning and the key, when plotting your strategy, is to keep these two factors in the forefront of your mind; particularly the former. Offshore estate planning advice has become a very lucrative business for bankers, accountants, lawyers and related professionals; the emergence of America’s Financial Account Tax Compliance Act has been described by some professionals – particularly accountants – as the gift that keeps on giving. All of these service providers have varying degrees of ability and there has always been an ample supply of eager ears ready to listen to advice from those who, unfortunately, may not be qualified to render it, but who have, nonetheless, what you might describe as a good delivery.

In “The Cunning Wiles of Bertoldo”, a comic romance by the Bolognese poet, Giulio Cesare Croce, the main character is of peasant stock but is still able to end up at court where, according to the writer, Beppe Severgnini, he was able to disguise himself by becoming “a champion of experience over education and of improvisation over preparation… who survives on his wits, the triumph of unpunished impudence”. He has many imitators today, some of whom are involved in offshore financial services. This is a subject I will address in more detail next month in my Latin Letter column in the Offshore Investment magazine.

God and Gold

Those exercising poor judgement can become hostages to the hoaxers but salvation could be in their own hands; perhaps by just placing them together. After all, it was the poet, Lord Tennyson, who said that “more things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.” If divine intervention is the key then it’s getting a lot of support today in the US. Corporate chaplains are in vogue and there are several thousand of them working for small as well as large businesses. There are large companies that have in-house chaplains complementing their in-house lawyers. (White collar crime could take on a new meaning in the case of those priests who wear one and are caught with their hand in the corporate till.)

This mixing of finance and faith in the US is on the increase and churches are, in some instances, creating financial support groups with the aim of showing you how to manage your money. Whilst I accept that religion can serve as a moral compass, I am not so sure if it can set the right course for finances, although from this month’s Latin Letter column you can learn how the Catholic church amassed a fortune from its followers. On the subject of the Catholic Church, as well as morals, Pope Benedict XVI, before his voluntary retirement, whilst not discouraging prayer, had some strong, critical views about the use of tax havens and offshore bank accounts by the wealthy in relation to taxes. So do I. No one, wealthy or not, should evade taxes, whereas those who can lawfully mitigate their tax burden should do so by whatever means available.

Unless there are special circumstances, an American, for example, setting up a company, trust or foundation offshore should do so understanding clearly that the activity will most likely be tax-neutral for him due to the tax regime he must comply with. The actual benefits will spring from such things as insulating assets, providing for heirs and maintaining privacy in the conduct of one’s affairs. Consequently, he has nothing to fear from his country’s FATCA which has stretched across the boundaries of sovereign states in the pursuit of tax cheats; perhaps international co-operation would have been less forthcoming if the US dollar was not the world’s present reserve currency. More on this subject of offshore benefits for Americans beyond taxes in my Latin American blog in this month’s Private Client Adviser.

Let’s not forget that laziness has something to do with the large number of distressed and disillusioned people that the offshore business attracts. Those who don’t get professional assistance in their planning are often the same people who are likely not to have done any research at all and then complain bitterly when their plans collapse like a house of cards. Even when someone is given proper advice they can sometimes refuse to take it if it is not what they want to hear. Remember also that above all other considerations there is a high degree of specialised skill as well as international investment opportunities offshore that people do not always find in their own country. It is often for this reason alone that a large number of them flock to the offshore centres in search of expertise and those attractive investments, particularly in the current climate of low interest rates on offer. But don’t join the other flock: those who follow like sheep the opinions of some others that have a foundation no more stable than that house of cards.

In conclusion, let me remind those seeking offshore advice of Cicero’s words: “It has seemed to be more necessary to have regard to the weight of words rather than to their number”. This does not just apply to William Shakespeare. Look for skill and knowledge when offshore advice is needed. It is gold – except that its value never fluctuates, whether the month is March or not.

Offshore Pilot Quarterly has been published since 1997 by Trust Services, S. A. and is written by Derek Sambrook

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts Signs Management Contract For a Resort in Mauritius

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has signed a management contract for Le Touessrok, Mauritius.  The group will take over management of the resort in August 2014 and will reflag and launch the hotel as Shangri-La's Le Touessrok Resort & Spa, Mauritius in September 2015 following a renovation.

The announcement follows the signing of a joint venture agreement between Shangri-La’s holding company, Shangri-La Asia Limited, and the resort's owner, Sun Resorts Limited. Shangri-La Asia has taken a 26% stake in the property.

"Mauritius is a jewel in the Indian Ocean with white sand beaches. We are excited about the opportunity to invest in and manage a property such as Le Touessrok Resort, which has a rich history and legendary reputation for superb service. With the addition of Shangri-La's Le Touessrok Resort & Spa, Mauritius to Shangri-La's portfolio, our guests will have another exotic destination to choose from in our growing collection of resorts in Asia and the Indian Ocean," said Shangri-La President and CEO Greg Dogan.

Located on the east coast of Mauritius in one of the island's most spectacular bays, the five-star resort is among the world's most distinguished.  It has three villas and 200 guestrooms and suites, all of which have sea views. Along with extensive water and land-based activities, it offers guests access to two islands: Ilot Mangenie, a private, secluded isle with 3.5 kilometres of pristine beach, and Ile aux Cerfs, where the 18-hole, par 72 championship golf course designed by Bernhard Langer is located.

"I am very excited with our new agreement with Shangri-La, which sets the basis of our new strategy to form strong partnerships with highly recognized branded international hotel groups, to manage one of our first class resorts. I believe that the long lasting reputation of the Le Touessrok coupled with its association with Shangri-La will enable this unique resort to achieve its full potential and pave the way for a successful and mutually beneficial collaboration for many years to come." said Sun Resorts Ltd. CEO Philippe Cassis.

The resort will continue to operate as Le Touessrok until it is renovated and then reflagged.  It will be Shangri-La's third resort located in the Indian Ocean, joining Shangri-La's Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives and Shangri-La's Hambamtota Resort & Spa, Sri Lanka, which opens summer 2015.

19 June 2014

Management buy-out of Ogier Fiduciary Services completes

Following receipt of all regulatory approvals, the management buy-out by the partners of Ogier Fiduciary Services from the Ogier Group was completed on Wednesday 18 June 2014.  This means that with immediate effect Ogier Fiduciary Services and Ogier are two independent businesses.

The management buy-out of Ogier Fiduciary Services is backed by Electra Partners, who invested £82 million of equity on behalf of their major client Electra Private Equity PLC, alongside a significant investment by the Ogier Fiduciary Services' management team.  Debt facilities for the transaction were provided by a group of lenders comprising HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, RBS, Babson Capital Europe and Alberta Investment Management.  This management buy-out is a first in the sector and the deal is one of the most significant transactions within the key international financial centres this year.

Ogier Fiduciary Services continues to be led by Paul Willing, as Chief Executive Officer, supported by the existing Executive Team.  There is also no change to the current client service and relationship teams. 

Paul Willing said “The significant investment made available to us as a result of Electra Partners' backing will help us achieve our growth plans.  We will invest in our key systems and infrastructure to underpin our high levels of client service and will take advantage of market opportunities as they arise.” 

Nick Kershaw continues to lead Ogier Legal as Global Managing Partner.  Ogier Legal is an award winning, strong, independent partner-led law firm that is recognised by clients as providing outstanding technical advice coupled with commercial understanding and a great commitment to client service. 

Commenting on the completion Nick Kershaw said "The Ogier partners felt very strongly that the continuity provided by a management buy-out would be the best possible solution for Ogier Fiduciary Services and I am confident that Paul and his team will continue their excellent track record of growth with Electra Partners' backing and support.

Alex Fortescue, Chief Investment Partner of Electra Partners said “We are delighted this transaction has now completed and we look forward to working with Paul Willing and his team to continue the development of the business though organic and acquisitive growth.

Paul Willing added “We are very grateful to the Ogier partners for helping us achieve the size and scale that we enjoy today.  Although we have benefitted from the Ogier brand we are now looking forward to building a new identity for ourselves which we plan to launch towards the end of the year.  This will differentiate our new business and will enable us to grow and develop independently from the Ogier brand.

Ogier Fiduciary Services and Ogier Legal will continue to share premises and facilities and all contact details remain the same.

Banking Banana Skins 2014

Every two years, PwC sponsors the Banking Banana Skins survey conducted by the Centre of the Study of Financial Innovation. Each survey identifies potential sources of risks to banks and then ranks them by severity. Also included are industry members' views about the risks they face, the soundness of financial markets, and other pressing issues.

PwC has joined forces with the Centre for the Study of Financial Innovation (CSFI) to explore what risks bankers worldwide are facing in the current climate and how they prioritise them.

This report describes the risk outlook for the banking industry at the turn of the year 2014 – a time when the global economy and its banking system were recovering from the financial crisis. This could be described as the first post-crisis Banking Banana Skins survey since it shows, for the first time in seven years, a decline in the level of anxiety about the condition of the banking system. The risk landscape it paints therefore reflects people’s risk preoccupations in a newly evolving world.

The findings are based on responses from more than 650 bankers, regulators and close observers of the banking scene in 59 countries.

In the opinion of these respondents, the greatest threat to the banking industry lies in the strong regulatory and political backlash that has taken place against banks in reaction to the crisis. These risks were ranked No. 1 and No. 2 respectively out of a field of 28 risks in the survey. The overwhelming message in the responses is that the weight of new regulation is becoming excessive, and could well damage banks and hold up the economic recovery. This view was held both by bankers and non-bankers, and was particularly strong in Europe and North America.


12 June 2014

CTJ: Offshore Shell Games 2014

This study examines the use of tax havens by Fortune 500 companies in 2013. It reveals that tax haven use is ubiquitous among America's largest companies, but a narrow set of compa­nies benefit disproportionately.


11 June 2014

SA, US to share tax information

Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene and United States (US) ambassador to South Africa Patrick Gaspard have signed an intergovernmental agreement to improve international tax compliance and to implement the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act.

The agreement, which was signed on Monday, promotes transparency between South Africa (SA) and the US on tax matters, while also underscores growing international cooperation in the endeavour to end tax evasion worldwide.

South Africa is committed to automatic exchange of information for tax purposes and to thereby make the world a more transparent place from a tax perspective. This commitment has been expressed through South Africa’s role in both the G20 and the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes,” said Minister Nene.

The US enacted the Act in 2010 to combat offshore tax evasion by encouraging transparency and obtaining information on accounts held by US citizens in other countries. 

The Act calls for foreign financial institutions to provide the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with information about US account holders annually. Failing that, a 30% withholding tax will be imposed on the foreign financial institution with regard to certain US source payments, such as interest.

The withholding tax is, however, waived if foreign financial institutions enter into disclosure compliance agreements with the US Treasury.

Ambassador Gaspard, who signed the agreement on behalf of the US, said the signing of the agreement is an important step forward in the collaboration between both countries to combat tax evasion.

When taxpayers overseas avoid paying what they owe, other taxpayers have to bear a disproportionate share of the tax burden. The intergovernmental Agreement to Improve International Tax Compliance and to implement the Act is an important part of the US government’s effort to address that issue.

In July 2012, the US introduced the option of a country entering into an intergovernmental agreement which would alleviate the need for financial institutions to enter directly into an agreement with the US.

The Agreement to Improve International Tax Compliance and to Implement the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act between the US and SA is a reciprocal agreement, which ensures that financial institutions in SA will report information about US account holders to the South African Revenue Service (SARS).

SARS will in turn relay that information, by means of automatic exchange of information (AEOI), to the IRS, under the Double Taxation Convention in force between the US and SA. Reciprocally, the IRS will provide similar information about South African account holders in the US to SARS.

10 June 2014

Moving Money: International Financial Flows, Taxes, & Money Laundering

Allegations by political leaders and others that offshore financial centers enable multinational enterprise to avoid paying a “fair” amount of tax — and that they enable wealthy individuals to evade paying any tax, much of it on ill gotten gains — are once again garnering headlines and inspiring government action. One of the most prominent commentators on these topics, The Tax Justice Network, has recently claimed that thanks to the services of tax havens $21-$32 trillion of wealth of questionable origin remains hidden and untaxed, and that such abuse must be stopped through greater regulation. In this paper we argue that such claims rest on poor data and analysis, and on mistakes about how financial transactions, international taxation, and anti-money laundering rules actually work. We further argue that demands for more regulation without considering cost and effectiveness rely on a belief that international financial transactions are assumed illegitimate unless tightly controlled, rather than primarily reflecting the normal, legitimate workings of an efficient market.

Gordon, Richard K. and Morriss, Andrew P., Moving Money: International Financial Flows, Taxes, & Money Laundering (October 20, 2013). Hastings International and Comparative Law Review, Vol. 37, No. 1 - Winter 2014; U of Alabama Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2348144; Case Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2013-21

05 June 2014

UK: If you are hiding undeclared income offshore, HMRC is closing in on you!


Mauritius: Mines and Money Access Africa 2014

Mines and Money is launching its first mining investment event focused on the African continent

Mines and Money Access Africa is dedicated to investment and capital raising for African mining projects. The forum will be the only event that links mining companies with Chinese and international investors in exclusive private meetings.

Held in Mauritius, the bridge for investment from Asia into Africa, it’s your chance to take advantage of Mauritius’ investment protection and tax treaties while meeting with Asian investors and mining companies in a neutral location.

Africa represents the top 6 fastest growing economies in 2014 with sub-Saharan Africa achieving a GDP growth rate of 6%. Africa has the most attractive risk/reward ratios of any region in the world.

With $21.23 Billion of foreign direct investment from 2005-2012 by China and a recent commitment to invest $2 Billion by Japan in mining and energy projects, Asia’s interest in Africa is certainly not understated. This is all positive news for the mining sector, particularly as an IMF study in 2011 found 29% of all of China’s FDI was in the mining sector.

Investment into Africa is risky. Even though Chinese FDI into Africa doubled between 2009 and 2012 there are many concerns on the minds of investors from resource nationalism to tenure security. Mauritius, an international financial centre, has signed 19 investor protection treaties and 17 double taxation avoidance agreements with Sub-Saharan African governments. It provides an ideal location to base the inaugural Mines and Money Access Africa conference and exhibition.

Mines and Money Access Africa is set against the backdrop of these treaties and mechanisms. As a centre for investment flows between Asia and Africa, the event will provide a true opportunity to meet with Asian investors, with a specific focus on Africa.

Mauritius FATCA FFIs in approved status with IRS as at 23 May 2014

ABC BANKING CORPORATION LIMITED
Acacia Banyan Partners
Acacia Banyan Partners
Accel Growth Holdings Mauritius Ltd
Accel India Holdings Mauritius Ltd.
Accel India III Holdings Mauritius Ltd
Accel X Holdings Mauritius Ltd
ACPI IFI Limited
Adlevo Capital Africa, LLC
Adlevo Capital Managers, LLC
ADP I Holding 1
ADP I Holding 2
ADP I Holding 3
ADP I Holding 4
ADP I Holding 5
ADP I Holding 6
ADP I Holding 7
ADP I Holding 8
ADP I Holding 9
ADP II Holding 1
AfrAsia Bank Ltd
AfrAsia Capital Management Ltd
African Asian Proprietary Limited
African Development Partners I, LLC
African Fund Managers Mauritius
AIIF2 Mauritius
AIRRO Mauritius Holdings I
AIRRO Mauritius Holdings II
AIRRO Mauritius Holdings III
AIRRO Mauritius Holdings IX
AIRRO Mauritius Holdings V
AIRRO Mauritius Holdings VI
AISC Mauritius Holdings
Albula Investment Fund Ltd
Alchemy India Fund Limited
Alchemy India Long Term Fund Limited
Alchemy India Opportunities Fund Limited
Alexandra Mauritius Ltd
Alliance Capital Mauritius Private Ltd.
AllianceBernstein India Growth Mauritius
Alter Domus Mauritius Nominees Ltd
AM Nice Mauritius Holdings
Amani Properties Ltd
Ambre Mauritius Investment Limited
American Aviation Ltd
Amicorp Mauritius Limited
Amicorp Mauritius Limited
Amicorp Mauritius Limited
AMIF AS LTD
AMIF FT LTD
AMIF I LTD
AMIF II LTD
AMIF RE INVESTMENTS IX LTD
AMIF RE INVESTMENTS V LTD
AMIF RE INVESTMENTS X LTD
AMIF RE INVESTMENTS XI LTD
AMIF RE INVESTMENTS XII LTD
AMIF SI LTD
AMP Capital Asian Giants Infra Fund
AMP Capital China Growth Fund
AMP Capital China Strategic Growth Fund
AMP Capital Finance Mauritius
Anadale Holdings Limited
Anadale Limited
Apollo Asia Opporty Alpha Mauritius Ltd.
Apollo Asia Opporty Gamma Mauritius Ltd.
Apollo Private Credit Mauritius II Ltd
Apollo Private Credit Mauritius Ltd
Appleby Trust Mauritius Limited
Arisaig Africa Consumer Fund Limited
Arisaig India Fund Limited
Arisaig Latin America Consumer Fund
Asia Investment CorporationMauritiusLtd
Assur Africa Holdings
Aureos Africa Managers Limited
Aureos Capital Limited
Aureos Central Asia Fund LLC
Aureos China Fund, L.L.C.
Aureos Latin America Managers Limited
Aureos South Asia Managers Limited
Aureos South East Asia Managers Limited
AVLP Asian Investments
AVLP Asian Investments
AVLP Mauritius Limited
AXA India Holdings
BAFM
Balyasny SI Limited
BANK ONE LIMITED
BANQUE DES MASCAREIGNES LTEE
BanyanTree Bank Limited
Barclays Bank Mauritius Limited
Barclays Capital Mauritius Limited
Barclays Mauritius Staff Pension Fund
Battery Ventures Mauritius Inc
Battery Ventures VII Mauritius
Beaumaris Investments Limited
Beaver Investment Holdings
Bedell Management Services Mauritius Ltd
Bernina Private Equity Fund Ltd
BESSEMER INDIA CAPITAL HOLDINGS II LTD
BESSEMER INDIA CAPITAL OGPL LTD.
BESSEMER INDIA CAPITAL PARTNERS S.A.
Big India Mauritius Holdings
Big India PP MAU
Blackstone Services Mauritius II Limited
Blackstone Services Mauritius Limited
Bluebay Mauritius Investment Limited
Bollywood Mauritius Holdings
Bollywood PP MAU
B-QUIK HOLDINGS LIMITED
BR Rose Holdings Mauritius Limited
Bramer Banking Corporation Ltd
BRE Mauritius Bidco
BRLP Mauritius Holdings II
BRLP Mauritius Holdings IV
Broad Peak Mauritius Private Limited
BROMLP Mauritius Holdings II Limited
BROMLP Mauritius Holdings IV
Brookdale India Value Fund Limited
BX FP Cap Partners Mauritius VB Subsidia
BX FP Capital Partners Mauritius V FII
BX FP Capital Partners Mauritius V Ltd
BX FP Capital Partners Mauritius VA Ltd
BX FP Capital Partners Mauritius VB Ltd
BX GPV Cap PartMauritius VI Hldng Co LTD
BX GPV Cap Partner Mauritius Energy FDIB
BX GPV Cap Partner Mauritius Energy FVCI
BX GPV Cap Partners Mauritius Energy FII
BX GPV Cap Partners Mauritius VB Holding
BX GPV Cap Partners Mauritius VE Holding
BX GPV Cap Partners Mauritius VF Holding
BX GPV Cap Partners Mauritius VH Holding
BX GPV Cap Partners Mauritius VI A FDI
BX GPV Cap Partners Mauritius VI FII Ltd
BX GPV Cap Partners Mauritius VI FVCI
BX GPV Cap Partners Mauritius VI Holding
BX GPV Cap Partners Mauritius VI-C FDI.
BX GPV Cap Partners Mauritius VJ Holding
BX GPV Cap Partners Mauritius VO Holding
BX GPV Cap Prtnrs Mauritius Energy Hldng
BX GPV Capital Partners Mauritius VA Ltd
BX GPV Capital Partners Mauritius VB Ltd
BX GPV Capital Partners Mauritius VC Ltd
BX GPV Capital Partners Mauritius VD Ltd
BX GPV Capital Partners Mauritius VE Ltd
BX GPV Capital Partners Mauritius VF Ltd
BX GPV Capital Partners Mauritius VG Ltd
BX GPV Capital Partners Mauritius VI Ltd
BX GPV Capital Partners Mauritius VIB FD
BX GPV Capital Partners Mauritius VID FD
BX GPV Capital Partners Mauritius VK Ltd
BX GPV Capital Partners Mauritius VL Ltd
BX GPV Capital Partners Mauritius VM Ltd
BX GPV Capital Partners Mauritius VN Ltd
BX GPV Capital Partners Mauritius VO Ltd
BX GPV Capital Partners Mauritius VQ Ltd
CAFM
Cairnhill CGPE Limited
Cairnhill CIPEF Limited
Canaan IX Mauritius
Canaan Management Mauritius Ltd.
Canaan VII Mauritius
Canaan VIII Mauritius
Cathay Asset Management Company Limited
Cathay Capital Company No 2 Limited
Centar Investments Asia Mauritius Ltd
Chardon Limited
Chase Investment Holdings Mauritius
ChrysCapital VI, LLC
Citadel MT Trading Ltd.
Citco Trustees Mauritius Ltd
Citco Trustees Mauritius Ltd
Citigroup GLB MKTs Mauritius Private LTD
Clariden Leu Trust -Mauritius- Limited
Clariden Leu Trust -Mauritius- Limited
Cloudbreak Investment Holding Limited
Clover Nominees Ltd
Clover Nominees Ltd
CLSA MAURITIUS INDIA FUND LTD
CLSA MAURITIUS LIMITED
Copthall Mauritius Investment Limited
Corona Property Investments Limited
CPI India Real Estate Ventures Limited
Credit Suisse Investment Hold MUS Ltd
Cresta Fund Ltd
Cruz City 1 Mauritius Holdings
CSIRE Investment Ltd
Cx Mauritius Ltd
D. E. Shaw & Co. Mauritius Limited
D. E. Shaw Comp Invest Appu Maur Ltd
D. E. Shaw Comp Invest Babel Maur Ltd.
D. E. Shaw Comp Invest Crest Maur Ltd.
D. E. Shaw Comp Invest DAPL Maur Ltd.
D. E. Shaw Comp Invest Maur Ltd PCC
D. E. Shaw Comp Invest PIM Maur Ltd.
D. E. Shaw Comp Invest SIS Maur Ltd.
D. E. Shaw Comp Invest Soham Maur Ltd
D. E. Shaw CompInvestExcelsoft Maur Ltd
D. E. Shaw CompInvestMack Star Maur Ltd
D. E. Shaw India Brokerage Maur Ltd
D. E. Shaw India Fin Services Maur Ltd.
D. E. Shaw India Holdings Mauritius Ltd
D. E. Shaw Ocu Invest BI-FI 1 Maur Ltd
D. E. Shaw Val Invest BI-FI 1 Maur Ltd
D. E. ShawHeliantInvestBI-FI 1 Maur Ltd
D.B. Zwirn Mauritius
D.B. Zwirn Mauritius Trading Limited
D.B. Zwirn Mauritius Trading No 2 Ltd
D.B. Zwirn Mauritius Trading No. 3 Limit
D.B. Zwirn Mauritius Trading No. 4 Limit
D.B. Zwirn Real Estate Investments No. 2
D.B. Zwirn Real Estate Investments No.1,
Dauphine Mauritius Investment Limited
DBGM Holdings Mauritius LTD
Destimoney Enterprises Limited
Deutsche Bank Mauritius Limited
Deutsche Securities Mauritius Limited
Development Infrastructure Company
Digital Nirvana Fund Company Limited
Discovery Global Citizens Mauritius Ltd.
Discovery Global Optnty Mauritius, Ltd.
DPI Management Ltd
Dragon Peacock Inv Limited
Drawbridge Century Holdings Ltd
Drawbridge Towers Ltd
Dt. Intern. Trust Corp Mauritius Ltd.
Dunham Holdings Limited
Dunham Limited
DVI Fund Mauritius Ltd
DWS Mauritius Company
East Bridge Capital Master Fund Ltd.
Eastspring Inv India Equity Open Limited
Eastspring Inv India Infra Eq Open Ltd
Eastspring Inv Portfolio Mgmt Ltd
EastspringInv India Consumer Eq Open Ltd
Eliza Holdings
EMERGE Cent. America Growth Fund L.L.C
Emerging India Focus Funds
EP Global Markets Limited
Erasmic Venture Fund Ltd.
Eriska Investment Fund Ltd
Estee India Fund
Evesham Ltd
FC VI India Holdings Mauritius Ltd.
FC VII India Holdings Mauritius Ltd.
FID Investments Mauritius Limited
FIL Capital Investment Mauritius II Ltd
FIL Capital Investment Mauritius Limited
FIL Capital Mgt Mauritius II Limited
FIL Capital Mgt Mauritius Limited
FIL India Holdings Mauritius Ltd
FIL Investment Mauritius Limited
FIL Mgt India Ventures Mauritius Ltd
Filey, Ltd
FIM Ltd.
FINm
Firewater Investment Ltd.
FirstMark India Mauritius IV, Ltd.
Floren Limited
Fortress Asia Macro Mauritius Ltd
Fortress Macro Mauritius Ltd
Franklin Tmp Mauritius Offshore Inv Ltd
Futuregrowth Asset Management Mauritius
Galatea Global Limited
Galatea Limited
General Atlantic GenPar Mauritius Limite
General Atlantic Mauritius Limited
Genesis Indian Investment Company Ltd
Genesta Limited
GGI Fund Ltd
GHI ERP Ltd.
GHI Holdings Mauritius
GHI HSP Ltd
GHI JBD Ltd
GHI LTP Ltd
GL EUROPE MAURITIUS LTD
Global Investment Opportunities Fund Ltd
GMG Trust Ltd
GMG Trust Ltd
GOLDMAN SACHS ASIA FINANCE
GOLDMAN SACHS HOLDINGS MAURITIUS LIMITED
GOLDMAN SACHS LLC
GOLDMAN SACHS MAURITIUS L.L.C.
GOLDMAN SACHS MAURITIUS NBFC L.L.C.
GOLDMAN SACHS VENTURE LLC
GREEN LOTUS LIMITED
Greenspring Mauritius I
GS AEOLUS PARALLEL HOLDING LIMITED
GS CHINA INVESTMENTS MAURITIUS LIMITED
GS CHINA STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS LIMITED
GS CHINA VENTURE I MAURITIUS LIMITED
GS CHINA VENTURE II MAURITIUS LIMITED
GS CHROMA HOLDINGS LIMITED
GS DIRECT GD LIMITED
GS DIRECT PHARMA LIMITED
GS Heal Holdings Limited
GS INDIA VENTURE CAPITAL LIMITED
GS INVESTMENTS HOLDINGS ASIA LTD
GS INVESTMENTS MAURITIUS I LIMITED
GS LOGISTICS HOLDINGS LTD
GS PHERECLUS HOLDINGS LIMITED
GS STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS II LIMITED
GS STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS LIMITED
GSAM INDIA HOLDINGS LIMITED
GSPS ASIA LIMITED
GSPS DAI VIET LTD.
GSS III Rose Investments Inc.
GTC Fund Ltd
GTC Special Opportunities Fund I, Ltd
Harbour Blue Investment Holdings Limited
Harbour Formosa Investment Holdings Limi
Harbour Victoria Investment Holdings Lim
HBM Private Equity India
HBS India Investments Mauritius Ltd
HBS Trust Services Mauritius Ltd
Helion Investment Management, LLC
Helion Partners II, LLC
Helion Partners III, LLC
Helion Partners, LLC
Helion Venture Partners II, LLC
Helion Venture Partners III, LLC
Helion Venture Partners, LLC
Helvetic Capital Management Ltd
Hema CGPE I Limited
Hema CGPE Limited
Hema CIPEF I Limited
Hema CIPEF Limited
HF Markets Ltd
Hinduja India Mauritius Holdings Ltd
Horse-Shoe Capital
HSBC Bank-Mauritius-Limited
HSBC Daisy Investments -Mauritius- Ltd
HSBC Institutional Trust Services -Mauri
HSBC PI Holdings -Mauritius- Limited
HSBC Violet Investments -Mauritius- Ltd
HT GLOBAL IT SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS LIMITED
ICP Investments Mauritius Limited
IDFC Project Equity CO III Mauritius LTD
IIC Lispenard R Tower Ltd
IIC Pond View R Tower Ltd.
Imodan Limited
INDEA LONG TERM OPPORTUNITIES MASTER FUN
India Asset Recovery Management Limited
India Asset Recovery Management Limited
India Bluechip Mauritius Ltd
India CB Fund Limited
India Midcap Mauritius Ltd
India Opportunity Real Estate Fund
India Premier Equity Portfolio
Indian Funds Advantage Ltd
Indocean eSecurities Holding Limited
Indocean Financial Holding Limited
Indus India Fund Mauritius Limited
INDUS POWER AND INFRASTRUCTURE MAURITIUS
InGain Traders LLC
Invesco India Mauritius Limited
Investec Africa Frontier PE OKZL Mgt PT
Investec Bank  Mauritius Limited
Investec Zimbabwe Recapitalisation Trust
IREO Parallel Fund I Ltd.
Ironwood Investment Holdings
J.P. Morgan Investment Holdings Mauriti
J.P. Morgan Services Asia Holdings Limit
JADE DRAGON MAURITIUS LIMITED
Jane Street Asia Capital Limited
Jhamrah Investment & Finance Limited
JPM International Consumer Holdings Ltd.
JPMorgan India Property Mauritius Compan
JPMorgan India Property Mauritius Compan
JPMorgan India Property Mauritius Compan
JPMORGAN INDIAN INVESTMENT COMPANY MAUR
JPMorgan Mauritius Holdings II Limited
JPMorgan Mauritius Holdings IV Limited
JPMorgan Mauritius Holdings Limited
JPMorgan Mauritius Holdings V Limited
JPMorgan Mauritius Holdings VI Limited
JPMorgan Mauritius Holdings VII Limited
JPMorgan Mauritius Holdings VIII Limited
JPMorgan PCA Holdings Mauritius I Limi
JPMorgan PCA Holdings Mauritius II Lim
JPMorgan PCA Holdings Mauritius III Li
JPMORGAN SICAV INVESTMENT COMPANY MAURI
JPMorgan Special Situations Mauritius
JPMP MPL Holdings Limited
Jupiter TM II Ltd.
Jupiter TM III Limited
Jupiter TM IV Ltd.
Jupiter TM Ltd.
K Debt Mauritius Ltd
K Debt Opportunities Fund Ltd - I
K Debt Opportunities Fund Ltd - II
K Fixed Income Opportunities Fund
K India Fixed Maturity Plan - I
K India Opportunities Fund Limited
Kalaari Capital Management II, LLC
Kalaari Capital Partners II, LLC
Kemnay Investment Fund Ltd.
Kingdon Mauritius Holding I Limited
Kingdon Mauritius Holding II Limited
Kingdon Mauritius Holding III Limited
KISMET MICROFINANCE
Knowledge Investments Mauritius Limited
Kotak Fixed Maturity Plan - I
Kotak Fixed Maturity Plan - III
Kotak Fixed Maturity Plan - IX
Kotak Fixed Maturity Plan - V
Kotak Fixed Maturity Plan - VI
Kotak Fixed Maturity Plan - VII
Kotak Fixed Maturity Plan - VIII
Kotak Fixed Maturity Plan - X
Kotak Fixed Maturity Plan - XI
Kotak Fixed Maturity Plan - XII
Kotak Global Funds
Kotak India Consumption Fund Ltd
Kotak India Focus Fund II
Kotak Infinity Fund
Kotak International Funds
Kotak Investment Opportunities Fund Ltd
Kotak Mahindra International Limited
Kotak WM India Fund Limited
Lantau Direct Invs Mauritius III Ltd
Lantau Mauritius Master Holdings Ltd
LBREP II Big India Mauritius Holdings
LBREP II Bollywood Mauritius Holdings
LBREP III Asia Holdings
LGT Capital Invest Mauritius PCC/Cell A
LGT Capital Invest Mauritius PCC/Cell B
Lighthouse Mauritius Ltd.
Lightspeed Ventre Partnrs VIII Mauritius
Lightspeed Ventre Ptrs IX Mauritius FVCI
Lightspeed Venture Partnrs VII Mauritius
Lightspeed Venture Ptrs IX Mauritius
Lotus Global Investments Ltd
LTS Investment Fund Ltd
Mace CGPE II Limited
Mace CGPE Limited
Mace CIPEF II Limited
Mace CIPEF Limited
Maitland Mauritius Limited
Maitland Mauritius Limited
Maitland Mauritius Management Services
Maitland Mauritius Nominees Limited
Markham Executive Services Ltd
Markham Executive Services Ltd
MAS Advisers Ltd
MATCO Limited
Mauritius Post and Cooperative Bank Ltd
Mavericks Investment Holding Limited
Mavi Investment Fund Ltd
Mayfield India II Management, Ltd.
Mayfield India II Sponsors, Ltd.
Mayfield India II, Ltd.
Mayfield Mauritius, Ltd.
Mayfield XII Mauritius
Mei Tou Holdings Limited
Mekong Enterprise Fund II, Ltd.
Merlion India Fund I Limited
Merlion India Fund II Limited
Merlion India Managers Limited
MicroVest Mauritius Limited
Minerva Fiduciary Services Mauritius Ltd
Minerva Management Services Limited
Minerva Nominee One Limited
Minerva Secretaries Limited
MKCP Direct Invs Mauritius II Ltd
MKCP Direct Invs Mauritius III B Ltd
MKCP Direct Invs Mauritius VI Ltd
MKCP Direct Invs Mauritius VII Ltd
MKCP Mauritius Master Holdings II Ltd
MKCP Mauritius Master Holdings III Ltd
MKCP Mauritius Master Holdings Ltd
MKCP VC Invs Mauritius I Ltd
MLT INVESTMENTS LTD.
Montecassini Corporate Limited
Monterosa Asset Management Ltd.
Morgan Stanley Infrastructure FDI
Mortlake Management Limited
Mountain Orchard Limited
MS Strategic Mauritius Limited
MSIP MAURITIUS, INC.
Murugan Capital
MV SCIF Mauritius
MVI India Holding Inc.
MVI Mauritius Holdings Inc.
NAM VIET LTD.
Nambe Investments Holdings
NEA INDO US VENTURES, LLC
New Horizon Advisors
New Horizon Managers Limited
New Horizon Opportunities Fund
New Horizon Opportunities Master Fund
Nexus India Advisory Services
Nirvana Digital Investment Holding Ltd
NLS Mauritius LLC
Nomura Mauritius Limited
Norwest Venture Partners FVCI-Mauritius
Norwest Venture Partners VII-A-Mauritius
Norwest Venture Partners X FII-Mauritius
Norwest Venture Partners X-Mauritius
NPE China Holdings 1
NSR Direct PE Mauritius, LLC
NSR Holdings, LLC
NSR Jhelum PE Mauritius, LLC
NSR Mauritius Advisors, LLC
NSR QSR PE Mauritius, LLC
NSR-PE Mauritius, LLC
NYLCAP Holdings Mauritius LLC
OAI Mauritius Limited
Oak India Investments
Oak India Investments II
Oberon Limited
OC Credit Mauritius, Ltd.
OC I Mauritius, Ltd.
OC II Mauritius, Ltd.
OC Overseas Mauritius, Ltd.
OC SRIF Mauritius, Ltd.
OCA I Mauritius, Ltd.
OCA II Mauritius, Ltd.
OCA Overseas Mauritius, Ltd.
Orange Mauritius Investments Limited
Orangefield Corporate Trustees Mau Ltd
OrbiMed Asia II Mauritius FDI Investment
OrbiMed Asia II Mauritius FVCI Investmen
OrbiMed Asia II Mauritius Limited
OrbiMed Asia Mauritius Limited
OrbiMed Asia Mauritius PUB Limited
OrbiMed Partners II Mauritius Limited
OrbiMed Partners Master Mauritius Limite
Orisen MedTech Limited
Pacific Alliance-Stradec Group Infrastru
Palisade Limited
Pallinghurst Ivy Lane Capital Limited
Pan-Asia Tower Holdings Limited
PANDA INVESTMENTS LTD
PARIS CEMENT INVESTMENT HOLDINGS LIMITED
Partners Group EKI Mauritius Limited
Partners Group Sapphire Mauritius Ltd
Passport India Investments Mauritius Ltd
Premier Investment Fund Limited
Prudential Mauritius Holdings Limited
Q ACPI India Fixed Income Fund Limited
QP Invtmts M Ltd
Quantum M Limited
Quantum Strategic M Ltd
Quintessence Mauritius West Fund
QVT Mauritius West Fund
RABO EQUITY MANAGEMENT COMPANY LIMITED
Ratefin Investments Limited
RECP IV Atria Co-Investors Ltd.
REFS Park Hotel Investors Limited
Rui Hua Investment Holding Limited
Sanlam Africa Core Real Estate Inv Ltd
Savannah Technology Fund I
SBI Mauritius Ltd
SBM Fund Services Ltd
SBM Group Holdings Ltd
SBM Mauritius Asset Managers Ltd
SBM Securities Ltd
SC India GF Management I, Ltd
SC India GF Management II, Ltd
SC India Management IV Ltd
SC India Principals IV Ltd
SC India Sponsor IV Ltd
SC Private Equity Mauritius II Limited
SC Private Equity Mauritius Limited
SC Private Equity Mauritius lll Limited
Sceptre Investments Limited
SCI Global Investments Mauritius Ltd
SEEDWORKS HOLDINGS MAURITIUS
Segantii India Mauritius
Sequoia Cap India GF Principals I Ltd
Sequoia Cap India Growth Inv Holdings I
Sequoia Cap India Growth Inv Holdings II
Sequoia Cap India Invest Holdings III
Sequoia Cap India Principals Fund III
Sequoia Capital GF IV Mauritius
Sequoia Capital GF IV Mauritius Inv
Sequoia Capital India Growth Fund I Ltd.
Sequoia Capital India Growth Fund II Ltd
Sequoia Capital India Growth Invstmnts I
Sequoia Capital India III Ltd.
Sequoia Capital India Investments III
Sequoia Capital India Investments IV
Sequoia Capital India Investments IV
Sequoia Capital India IV Ltd
Sequoia Capital India Mgmt III, Ltd
Sequoia Capital Mauritius
Sequoia Capital Mauritius Inv, Inc.
Sequoia Pine Investment Holdings
SG Trust Mauritius Ltd
SHK Ebene Limited
SHK Mauritius Limited
Sierra Ventures Mauritius, Inc.
Sky Heights Management Company Limited
SOF-VII Mauritius Holdings I
South Asia Gastronomy Enterprises, LLC
Sovereign Trust Mauritius Limited
Sowerby, Ltd.
SR Global Mauritius Limited Class C
SR Global Mauritius Limited Class G
SR Global Mauritius Limited Class N
SR Phoenicia Mauritius Limited Class A
SRS Charminar Investments Limited
SRS Orion I Investments Limited
SRS Orion I Investments Limited
SRS Orion II Investments Limited
SRS Orion III Investments Limited
SRS Partners I Mauritius Limited
St Lawrence Management Limited
Stainsby, Ltd.
Standard Bank Mauritius Ltd
Standard Bank Trust Company Mauritius
Standard Bank Trust Company Mauritius
Standard Chartered Bank Mauritius Ltd
Standard Chartered Financial Holdings
Standard Life Investments GS Mauritius
Standard Life Investments India Adv Fund
Starr International Investments India, I
State Bank of Mauritius Ltd
STATE STREET GLOBAL ADVISORS, MAURITIUS
Sterling Pathway
Subcontinental Equities Limited
Subria CGPE Limited
Subria CIPEF Limited
Summit Trust Mauritius Limited
Swiftcurrent Offshore Global, Ltd.
Swiss Finance Corp. Mauritius Limited
Swiss Re Investors Mauritius Limited
Sylvan Holdings Limited
Sylvan Limited
Tano India Private Equity Fund I
Tano India Private Equity Fund II
Tano Mauritius India FVCI
Tano Mauritius India FVCI II
TARRA Fund
Tejas Ventures
The Blackstone Group Mauritius II Ltd
The Blackstone Group Mauritius Limited
The Infrastruct Fund of India LLC TIFOI
The TCG Trust
The TCG Trust
Threadneedle India Fund Limited
Tiger Global 360Buy Holdings
Tiger Global Eight Holdings
Tiger Global Five 360 Holdings
Tiger Global Five China Holdings
Tiger Global Five FK Holdings
Tiger Global Five Holdings
Tiger Global Five Indian Holdings
Tiger Global Five Letao Holdings
Tiger Global Five Myntra Holdings
Tiger Global Five Parent Holdings
Tiger Global Five Vancl Holdings
Tiger Global Four Holdings
Tiger Global Four JD Holdings
Tiger Global Four MT Holdings
Tiger Global Four Mtime Holdings
Tiger Global Four PP Holdings
Tiger Global Four Time Holdings
Tiger Global International Holdings
Tiger Global International II Holdings
Tiger Global Long Opportunities Fund
Tiger Global Mauritius Fund
Tiger Global Principals
Tiger Global Seven Parent Holdings
Tiger Global Six CaratLane Holdings
Tiger Global Six India Holdings
Tiger Global Six India II Holdings
Tiger Global Six India III Holdings
Tiger Global Six India IV Holdings
Tiger Global Six LB Holdings
Tiger Global Six Parent Holdings
Tiger Global Six South Africa Holdings
Tiger Global Six T2 Holdings
Tiger Global Six YY Holdings
TIGER STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS LTD
Tiger Veda Bharat
TMF Mauritius Limited
TP Partners
TPG-Axon FII Offshore, Ltd.
TPG-Axon FII, Ltd.
TPG-Axon Mauritius I, Ltd.
TRCI Mauritius Limited
TVF Feeder Fund Ltd
TVF Fund Ltd
UBS Mau India Equity Fund
UBS Mau India Fixed Income Fund
Utilico Emerging Markets Mauritius
V P HOLDINGS
ValueQuest India Moat Fund Limited
VANTAGE GROUND MAURITIUS LIMITED
VANTAGE QUEST MAURITIUS LIMITED
VANTAGE STRIDE MAURITIUS LIMITED
VASCO, INC.
Vontobel India Fund
Vontobel India Select Fund
Walden-Nikko India Management Co., Ltd.
Wandsworth International Ltd.
Wayzata II Indian Ocean Limited
Wayzata III Indian Ocean Limited
Wayzata Indian Ocean Limited
WCP Holdings III
WCP Holdings V
Wealth Management Mauritius Holdings Ltd
WestBridge Ventures II, LLC
WEXFORD CATALYST INVESTORS MAURITIUS LTD
WEXFORD SPECTRUM INVESTORS MAURITIUS LTD
Wishbone Global Investment Holdings
WLR Recovery III India Limited
WWD RUBY LIMITED
York Global Finance Mauritius Limited
ZAHEER HOLDINGS MAURITIUS
ZAHEER MAURITIUS