The Malta Funds Industry Association has issued its newsletter for the fourth quarter 2011 to update professionals in the financial services sector with the latest developments in the funds industry. The newsletter has also been supplemented with the views of experts from different business areas namely fund management and administration, banking, accountancy and legal.

In the past years, the funds industry has been experiencing considerable change from a regulatory point of view and, in this issue, various experts from the industry discuss highly interesting and relevant topics which present a challenge to the local industry.

Katya Tua from Simon Tortell and Associates speaks about the similarities and differences between hedge funds and UCITS funds which with their own distinguishing characteristics have contributed to Malta’s success in the financial services industry in view that they serve to address the demands and expectations of investors. Equally interesting is a review of the AIFM Directive and potential benefits for Malta discussed by Lucienne Pace Ross from PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Joseph Camilleri from Valletta Fund Services presents the 10 key considerations in choosing a fund domicile, an exercise which is proving to be a challenge for fund managers in view of the fact that today over 75 countries are positioned, or are positioning themselves, as international financial centres across the world. Malta is also keen to attract more banks offering custody services and this topic is discussed by Lino Calleja from Bank of Valletta.

A copy of this newsletter can be downloaded from the MFIA website www.mfia.org.mt.