 |
Friday 3/2/2012
IO
News: Silk Road Launches Iraqi Equity Indices
Silk Road Management has announced the launch of the Silk Road Iraq Index and Silk Road Iraq Oil Index, two debut equity indices that include the largest Iraq-focused companies, listed on the Iraq Stock Exchange as well as international bourses in London, Toronto and Oslo.
|
|
Friday 3/2/2012
IO
News: ESMA Outlines New ETF Regulatory Framework The European Securities and Markets Authority has published a consultation
paper setting out future guidelines on the use by UCITS of exchange-traded funds and other UCITS-related issues.
Thursday 2/2/2012
IO
News: Luxembourg Strengthens Investment Ties With Gulf States Luxembourg’s Finance Minister Luc Frieden has recently conducted working
visits to Qatar and to Dubai to strengthen economic and political ties and to
promote the Luxembourg financial centre.
IO
Daily News Page | RSS
 | IO
By Email
Being An Expat In 2012 - A Financial Primer
by Investors Offshore editorial staff
To believe the surveys, half the world is either already an expat, or planning to become one. Tens of millions of people work abroad, or have retired there, or have property in a foreign country.
Read:
Being An Expat In 2012 - A Financial Primer
Jurisdiction Special Focus: Malta
by the Investors Offshore editorial
team, December, 2011
Malta is an independent nation, having split from the UK in 1964. The Maltese Islands are 100 km south of Sicily, with a population of 408,000; the climate is warm. Malta has a Westminster-style democracy, but has been politically fractious since independence. 15 years of post-colonial adolescent flirtation with Communism and the third world has however been succeeded by a more mature attitude.
Read:
Jurisdiction Special Focus: Malta
The EU Savings Tax Directive
by the Investors Offshore editorial
team, December, 2011
The European Union Savings Tax Directive (STD), which went into effect on 1st July, 2005, in fact forms merely one part of a major tax reform package launched by the European Commission in 1997. As originally drafted, the STD aimed at a uniform 'information exchange' regime to apply across the Union, with all countries agreeing to report interest on savings paid to the citizens of other Member States to those States' tax authorities.
Read:
The EU Savings Tax Directive
Investors Offshore Special Reports: Gibraltar
by the Investors Offshore editorial
team, December, 2011
Gibraltar is a small peninsula located on the southern coast of Spain.
It covers a total area of 6.5 sq km and its coastline stretches for 12 km only; there is a 1.2 km
borderline with Spain. The Strait of Gibraltar links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic
Ocean. Gibraltar enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate. Its highest point is the rock of Gibraltar
which reaches 426m and is surrounded by narrow coastal lowland. The supply of fresh water is limited
and there is no agriculture.
Read:
Investors Offshore Special Reports: Gibraltar
QROPS
- Qualified
Recognized Overseas Pension Schemes
by the Investors Offshore editorial
team, November, 2011
Pity the poor pensioners, in their 50s or 60s, approaching
retirement. Annuity rates are falling so fast that anything but a really large
pension pot will hardly deliver enough income to pay for the family car, never
mind that cruise they had set their hearts on. And in many countries the tax
authority will not allow you to cash in your pension pot on the grounds that
it is tax-privileged money, plus a dose of nannying - if you take the money
and spend it, goes the reasoning, you will fall back onto state support.
Read:
QROPS - Qualified
Recognized Overseas Pension Schemes
International Property Investment - Are REITs Righting Themselves Again?
November 2011
While many international investors choose to invest directly in their own homes (first, second or third, as the case may be!), one very interesting way of putting surplus funds into real estate is through a REIT.
Read:
International Property Investment - Are REITs Righting Themselves Again?
Jurisdiction Special Focus: JERSEY
October 2011
The largest and most southerly of the Channel Islands between England and France, Jersey is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, with a population of around 94,000 (July 2011 est.) expatriates and residents. Despite being only 45 square miles, it is as bustling and active as offshore jurisdictions many times its size, and the moderate climate means that outdoor activities such as golf, swimming, water-sports and cycling are enjoyed by all its citizens.
Read:
Jurisdiction Special Focus: JERSEY
Emerging Market Investments
- Into Calmer Waters?
October 2011
Come rain or shine, as regards the global economy, the emerging markets, or developing nations (there is no consensus on what word to use) have consistently outperformed developed nations for a number of decades. Even in the depths of the financial crisis, the emerging economies posted overall GDP growth of 2.5% whereas the world economy as a whole shrank by 0.5%.
Read:
Emerging Market Investments
- Into Calmer Waters?
International Offshore Banking
October 2011
In an increasingly globalised world, in which more and more of the population are becoming internationally mobile, there is a growing need for financial services which reflect people's circumstances, and consequently the market for offshore and international banking services is probably larger and more diverse now than it has ever been.
Read:
International Offshore Banking
|
Jurisdiction Special Focus: Cyprus
by the Investors Offshore Editorial Team, January 2012
Cyprus is an independent sovereign republic in the Eastern Mediterranean, with a population of 1.1m (July 2011 est), of whom the majority are ethnically Greek, living in the southern part of the island. More than 200,000 Turkish Cypriots and Turkish immigrants live in the northern part of the island, separated from the south by a UN-supervised buffer zone. The official languages in the two zones are Greek and Turkish, but many Cypriots speak English, which is extensively used in business and commerce.
Read:
Jurisdiction Special Focus: Cyprus
|
| Network News |
|
3/2 EU Blocks Deutsche Börse-NYSE Euronext Merger The European Commission has prohibited, on the basis of the European Union Merger Regulation, the proposed merger between Deutsche Börse and NYSE
Euronext, as it would have resulted in a quasi-monopoly in the area of European
financial derivatives traded globally on exchanges.
3/2 Switzerland Yields To US Tax Demands Following mounting pressure from the US attorney’s office, Switzerland has
finally handed over to US investigators comprehensive, encrypted, banking data
pertaining to eleven Swiss banks, alleged to have aided wealthy Americans to evade
US taxes amounting to billions of euros.
3/2 India Likely To Change Tax Law After Vodafone Case The Indian government is planning to include additional provisions in the forthcoming Direct Taxes Code in an attempt to avoid future court clashes with multinational companies like Vodafone.
3/2 Mourant Ozannes Opens Hong Kong Office Leading offshore law firm, Mourant Ozannes, has opened an office in Hong Kong
to provide clients and intermediaries with access to the firm's offshore legal
services in an Asian time zone.
3/2 Ireland Creates Expert Panel For Property Tax Plans The Irish government is pushing forward with its plans for a property tax, appointing an expert panel to consider proposals.
3/2 Hong Kong To Launch Microfinance Pilot Scheme The Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited has announced that it will shortly seek approval to launch a microfinance pilot scheme with a trial period of three years, from mid-2012.
3/2 Cameron Mocks 'Mad' French FTT Plans Signalling perhaps the demise of the Entente Cordiale, British Prime Minister
David Cameron has openly and pointedly mocked French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s
plans for the introduction of a tax on financial transactions in France.
3/2 Tide Turning In Italian Tax Evasion Fight During his testimony to the Chamber of Deputies’ Finance Committee, the
Director of the Italian Revenue Agency, Attilio Befera, pointed to the Agency’s
new ability to crosscheck taxpayers’ spending against declared incomes as
the weapon that might win the government’s war on tax evasion.
3/2 E-Gaming Giant Applies For Jersey License The Jersey Gambling Commission has welcomed the application of Playtech, one of
the world's leading eGaming software and content specialists, for a Remote Gambling
licence.
2/2 DFSA Signs Agreement With US Audit Regulator The Dubai Financial Services Authority has entered into a Statement of Protocol with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board to facilitate the sharing of information between the two regulators.
1/2 Panama Plans More TIEAs Panama's Minister for the Economy and Finance, Frank De Lima has confirmed
the government will continue to seek out tax information exchange agreements
with other nations despite having reached the twelve
agreement quota set for inclusion on the Organisation for Economic Cooperation
and Development's white list.
2/2 Hong Kong Reduces Taxes To Support Growth Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary, John C Tsang, has unveiled a 2012/13 Budget
which proposes a wide range of tax concessions aimed at supporting businesses
and individuals, who face a possible global economic slowdown.
2/2 China Pushes Shanghai As International Financial Centre China’s National Development and Reform Commission and the Shanghai Municipal
Government have disclosed that it is intended that Shanghai will be a centre
for onshore renminbi trading, clearing and pricing by 2015, before it becomes
an international financial centre by 2020.
2/2 Minister Promotes New Canadian Pension Vehicle The introduction of Pooled Registered Pension Plans will bridge gaps in Canada’s retirement income system, the Minister in charge has said.
1/2 Manx Budget 'Will Not Undermine Economic Potential' Discussing the state of the Isle of Man economy, Chief Minister Allan Bell
said that the local business community would need to work with the government
as it attempts to consolidate the nation's financial position in its upcoming budget in order to exit strongly
from the global recession.
1/2 Ireland, Switzerland Sign DTA Protocol Switzerland and Ireland have inked a revised double tax agreement which alters dividend withholding tax rates.
1/2 Swiss Financial Market Regulation Praised According to the Swiss Federal Department of Finance, the Financial Stability
Board has taken a positive view of the 'too big to fail' legislation
in its peer review report on Switzerland.
1/2 Hong Kong To Implement AML Guidelines Following the release of a set of consultation conclusions, Hong Kong’s
Securities and Futures Commission has announced the gazetting of a new set
of guidelines on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing,
which will take effect on April 1, 2012.
1/2 Liechtenstein's PM Welcomes Dawn Of New Tax Era Determined to portray a new and positive image of the Principality, Liechtenstein’s
Prime Minister and Finance Minister Klaus Tschütscher has recently insisted
that the age of so-called tax havens, jurisdictions deemed to be uncooperative
in tax matters, is now over.
31/1 South Africa-San Marino DTA Enters Into Force The tax information exchange agreement between South Africa and San
Marino, which was originally signed in Pretoria on March 10 last year, entered
into force on January 28, 2012.
|
|
|
| Your Views |
| US resident seeking...not to be! |
I'm a US resident seeking to terminate my residence in the next coupe of years - thinking of moving to sunnier shores. Anyone got any recommendations (young, free and single and moderately independently wealthy, if it helps!)
Also, how long will my association (for tax purposes) with the US last? Please tell me not forever...!Rick |
| Read
Replies | Reply | Start
New Thread |
| Hong Kong etc. |
I've been recieving this recently,
"I am sorry to inform you that according to our internal bank policy, we are unable to open account for US person.."
Is there a way around this?
Will I get the same if I appear in person, money in hand?phomsanuk |
| Read
Replies | Reply | Start
New Thread |
| Best offshore banking country? |
Hi,
I live and pay tax in the UK. I have non-salary remuneration coming to me from freelance work from other countries. Can anyone recomend a good international bank account that offers visa or mastercard debit, in a jurisdiction that is safe from the savings tax directive or other reporting duty involving the UK? Ideally the account would offer decent interest too, and no tax on this interest! It would also be good if it could be managed online.
Just to be clear, I fully intend to fulfil my duty to the UK tax authorities, and declare this income. I simply have no faith in the UK banking system and its relationship with the UK government, or their Indian call centres. I also intend to travel and emigrate once I have a decent purse.
Thanks for any help or suggestions. Simon |
| Read
Replies | Reply | Start
New Thread |
| waste management (green technology) |
Hi my name is Richard Marcolini,
I am seeking start up capital for a venture in Panama City, Republica de Panama. The project is designed to provide education, manipulation,recollection,transportation and sterilization of medical waste( by green technology) . I previously developed a similar project for the government in Costa Rica. This will be a private venture in Panama. As I am sure you are aware, Panama offers multiple tax benefits and incentives to business developers.
Please review my website at www.biomedicalinternational2012.com and contact me if you have further interest at 904-373-7033 or biomedical2012@gmail.com
Thank you for your interest in this project.
Sincerely,
Richard Marcolinirichard Marcolini |
| Read
Replies | Reply | Start
New Thread |
| Waste management (green technology) |
Hi my name is Richard Marcolini,
I am seeking start up capital for a venture in Panama City, Republica de Panama. The project is designed to provide education, manipulation,recollection,transportation and sterilization of medical waste( by green technology) . I previously developed a similar project for the government in Costa Rica. This will be a private venture in Panama. As I am sure you are aware, Panama offers multiple tax benefits and incentives to business developers.
Please review my website at www.biomedicalinternational2012.com and contact me if you have further interest at 904-373-7033 or biomedical2012@gmail.com
Thank you for your interest in this project.
Sincerely,
Richard Marcolini |
| Read
Replies | Reply | Start
New Thread |
| Joint Account at Jersey |
Hi.
I am an entrepreneur, during this month of november 2010, I'm opening a joint account at Citi International Personal Bank of Jersey's Island.
I am looking for potential investors from 1 to 5 U.S. million or more, per month, to start a new business partnership.
Further information ierpassos@hotmail.comMr. Eduardo Passos |
| Read
Replies | Reply | Start
New Thread |
| Health care package |
| I've been offered a position at my current UK employer's associate company in Dubai for 2 years. The package looks quite good but as this is my first overseas/expat experience I'm not sure if the healthcare portion is okay. My wife and our two young kids will be with me and the package only appears to include 75% basic cover with me having to top it up. Is this a standard sort of deal?angus |
| Read
Replies | Reply | Start
New Thread |
|
|
|
Lowtax Network Portal