Shanghai, China – The Anguilla financial services industry will be in the spotlight at the Asia Offshore 2004 Conference to be held 14-17 September in Shanghai and hosted by the Asia Pacific Offshore Institute (APOI). The theme for this year’s conference is "A Brave New World – Investing into and Keeping Abreast with the Offshore Financial World". Anguilla will be represented by Ms. Pam Webster, Partner of the Anguilla based law firm Webster Dyrud Mitchell and President of the Anguilla Financial Services Association (AFSA); Mr. Lanston Connor, Government of Anguilla Registrar of Companies; and Mr. Carlyle Rogers, Deputy Director, Anguilla Financial Services Commission.
On day two of the conference, Ms. Webster will give a presentation entitled "Anguilla: The New Face of Offshore". Ms. Webster’s presentation will give an update on recent developments in Anguilla financial services, including the establishment of the Financial Services Commission, and recently passed legislation pertaining to mutual funds and captive insurance. Ms. Webster stated that, "While many of the conference attendees will be familiar with Anguilla as a financial services centre, and our advantages such as the Anguilla Commercial Online Registration Network (ACORN), we have had recent developments that make Anguilla an even more attractive financial services jurisdiction. Our participation at this year’s APOI conference will provide the opportunity to share these developments with the very important Asia market."
In addition to Ms. Webster’s presentation, Anguilla will be visible throughout the conference with an exhibit booth displaying information on Anguilla financial services, as well as information on tourism and Anguilla at-large. Speaking on Anguilla’s past participation at the APOI conference, Mr. Connor said, "When we first began attending the APOI conference, we had to first educate the Asia market on Anguilla, the island. The market had to be comfortable and confident in Anguilla financial services." Mr. Connor added, "Now that Anguilla has been favorably received in the Asia market, our task now is to present our recent changes that make Anguilla an even more attractive financial services jurisdiction. Along with the advantage the ACORN system provides in the company formation sector, we are now competitive in the mutual funds and captive insurance sectors as well. And the new Financial Services Commission strongly solidifies our reputation as a well regulated jurisdiction."
While in Shanghai, the Anguilla delegation will also visit with Anguillian registered overseas agents based there. Mr. Connor expressed the importance of the Anguilla delegation’s visit, saying "It is very important to establish personal relationships in order to create a higher degree of trust and confidence in each other". Mr. Connor further explained "In the Asian culture the personal relationship is of paramount importance when doing business and it can make a difference in the level of success one achieves". Prior to arriving in Shanghai, the delegation hosted a reception in Hong Kong.
The Anguilla Financial Services Association (AFSA) is comprised of legal and accounting firms, trust and insurance companies, company managers, commercial banks, and stock brokerage service providers. AFSA promotes Anguilla as an international financial services centre, and represents its members on financial services regulatory issues both domestically and internationally.
The Anguilla Financial Services Commission (FSC), formerly the Anguilla Financial Services Department, is an independent body responsible for the regulation of financial services in Anguilla. The FSC’s regulatory functions include granting of licenses, compliance with anti money laundering laws, and In addition to its regulatory responsibilities, the FSC assists the Government of Anguilla in reviewing legislative recommendations, and encourages the development of high professional standards through codes of conduct.
The Government of Anguilla’s office of the Company Registrar is responsible for the registration of companies, partnerships, trusts, patents and intellectual property. The Registrar also is responsible for the registration of all overseas agents. The Company Registrar’s office hosts
and maintains the Anguilla Commercial Online Registration Network (ACORN). As the world’s first online and instant company registration system, company management firms in Anguilla, as well as registered overseas agents, are able to conduct name searches, register corporations, and submit government filings online.
The Asia Pacific Offshore Institute (APOI) provides research, news and information on the offshore finance industry in both English and Chinese. APOI’s mission is to raise the standard of the offshore industry in Asia, to provide an international forum in Asia for information relevant to government and financial services practitioners, and provide a networking base for its members. APOI members include international government officials and financial services practitioners. There are over 25 countries represented at the APOI.
Further Inquiry:
Odell McCants, Executive Director
Anguilla Financial Services Association
+1 202.498.8367
odell.mccants@AnguillaFinance.com
Lanston Connor, Registrar of Companies
Government of Anguilla
+1 264.497.3881
lanston_c@anguillafsd.com
Carlyle Rogers, Deputy Director
Anguilla Financial Services Commission
+1 264.497,5881
carlyle_r@anguillafsd.com
Yvonne Tam, Administration Officer
Asia Pacific Offshore Institute
852.2537.5518
ywltam@asiaoffshore.org
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