Funds Hub Resources

Emerging fund managers in the Middle East—particularly those targeting sub-US$50 million in assets under management—face critical decisions when launching their first fund. While the region's domestic markets are maturing, and offer a compelling alternative in certain circumstances, for first time managers selecting an offshore jurisdiction may be the better choice. The Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands offer cost-effective, internationally respected platforms that simplify fund formation, enhance credibility with global investors, and provide a neutral, well-understood legal framework. This article outlines the key advantages of these two jurisdictions and explains how their structures can align with the strategic needs of new managers in the region.

The Cayman Islands is the leading jurisdiction for the offshore investment funds industry due to its combination of flexible and appropriate regulation, an approachable and effective regulator, professional service provider expertise, high reputation among investors and a tax neutral fiscal regime.

The Cayman Islands Data Protection Act (the DP Act) governs how a data controller may process, use and retain personal data.

The Cayman Islands is the leading jurisdiction for the offshore investment funds industry due to its combination of flexible and appropriate regulation, an approachable and effective regulator, professional service provider expertise, high reputation among investors and a tax neutral regime.

This guide looks at the roles and responsibilities of the nominated officers of financial service providers whose job it is to look out for and report suspicious activity and who oversee the compliance function and ensure that adequate systems and controls are in place to comply with the Anti-Money Laundering Regulations (Revised).

This guide provides a high level summary of the main obligations for Cayman Islands investment funds under Cayman Islands automatic exchange of information (AEOI) legislation.

This guide provides an overview of the powers, duties and obligations of a director of an exempted company incorporated under the Companies Act of the Cayman Islands (Companies Act) which is registered with the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA) as a fund (Fund).

This guide provides a high level summary of the main obligations for BVI investment funds under BVI automatic exchange of information (AEOI) legislation.

These extremely popular and flexible funds are governed by the Securities and Investment Business (Incubator and Approved Funds) Regulations 2015, as amended (the Regulations) and the Incubator and Approved Funds Guidelines. The BVI has often been described as the “home” of the emerging manager and these two fund products further reinforce that message.

This guide provides an overview of the British Virgin Islands’ Approved Manager regime. The regime came into effect on 10 December 2012 with the Investment Business (Approved Managers) Regulations 2012 (the Regulations) and the Approved Investment Managers Guidelines (the Guidelines). It introduces a less onerous regulatory regime for BVI domiciled investment managers and investment advisers and compliments the more heavily regulated investment business licensing regime under Part I of the Securities and Investment Business Act 2010 (SIBA).

As a recognised fund, your professional or private fund is regulated by the BVI Financial Services Commission (the FSC). This note provides a quick reference to your professional or private fund’s ongoing BVI obligations.

The Investment Business (Approved Managers) Regulations 2012 (the Regulations) and Approved Investment Managers Guidelines (the Guidelines) establish a regime that allows eligible investment managers and advisers to be regulated under a simple approval process and avoid the licensing regime under Part I of the Securities and Investment Business Act 2010 (SIBA).