Griffith University

Symposium and Case Study Introduction

An introduction and explanation of the course and case studies Introduction to Case Study Daily Chairs, and Judges and Group Advisors

Introduction

Much vilified in the press, supposedly wholly tax, or crime-based, the offshore world actually fills numerous, legitimate commercial and legal roles; whilst its abusers are all onshore. What is it really all about?

Panel discussion – Companies, Trusts, Foundations and Hybrids

The panel will review these basic tools of the offshore world, how they can be properly used and explain pitfalls for the unwary as well as considering examples of things going wrong.

Led by Howard S. Fisher, USA

Peter Harris, Jersey/France

Andrew de la Rosa, UK/USA

Shân Warnock-Smith QC, UK

Markus Wanger, Liechtenstein

Lecture – Insurance

Rarely fully understood and frequently under-utilized, this lecture will examine the key components of insurance as a method of wealth preservation and transfer; and also the international nature of the components.

Lecture – Mutual Funds

Well known as an investment tool in the public domain, but not fully understood; and having many non-public applications: this lecture will open up the world of mutual funds, the vast majority of which are offshore.

Paul Deayton, Hong Kong

Panel discussion – Regulations and Compliance

The offshore world is far more burdened by regulation than the on-shore world. This panel will debate whether offshore is unfairly carrying the burden of onshore inefficiencies and deficiencies.

Led by Howard S. Fisher, USA

Marcus C. Killick, Gibraltar

Wilhelm Bourne, Anguilla

Jason Sharman, Australia

Lecture – Utilising Tax Treaties

Tax treaties are one of the methods by which nations re-allocate wealth. They also can turn onshore into offshore. This lecture will help develop understanding of how they work, in order to understand how to use them.

Lecture – Responsibilities Arising out of Tax Treaties

With the benefits provided by tax treaties come burdens, which can sometime outweigh the benefits for some users. Understand all the ramifications of treaty use.

Lecture – Tax Treaties: Specific Examples

"Classic Offshore:" Barbados' treaty network explained, with particular emphasis of those with an Asia/Pacific impact: Canada and China

Introduction

Just as far-flung holiday destinations are in someone else’s backyard, so everywhere is offshore to somewhere else. What does “offshore” mean in this region, and what makes it attractive?

Panel discussion – Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific Offshore Centres

The panel will consider the specifics of what is available, who can use it and why they would do so? It will also consider the motives of Governments which encourage it?

Led by David Russell QC, Australia

John W. Hart, New Zealand

David Chong, Singapore

Barry Woods, Australia

Lecture – Australia as a Regional Headquarters

Strident in its attacks of its own citizens using offshore, Australia has nevertheless set up a regime to attract others – how does that work?

Lecture – New Zealand’s Domestic Conduit Regime and Foreign Trust Regime

Equally strident and even more accommodating. Flow your profits through New Zealand, leave your trust assets in New Zealand, and use a tax treaty with a tax haven! How?

Panel discussion – Hong Kong, Singapore and other Asia Offshore Centres

The old guard of the region and some of the newer members – the foundations of continuing success, the strengths, the weaknesses and the opportunities.

Led by David Russell QC, Australia

James A.F. Wadham, Hong Kong

Bill Ahern, Hong Kong

Barry Woods, Australia

Lecture – Singapore Treaties and Other Uses

Keep your money in Singapore and you can afford to fly to the real Switzerland if you really want the snow – what is available here?

Lecture – Hong Kong’s Treaties and Other Uses

Tried and tested, rarely found wanting and a lot of fun to visit, the most free economy in the world continues to adapt – what else is good?

Lecture – A Corporate Adviser's perspective of the future of ASEAN* and its 10 member countries

An understanding of the legal, political and economic environments of a country is key to successfully doing business there. This lecture provides a snapshot picture of the ten countries making up ASEAN and also looks at the future of ASEAN. ASEAN has promised a lot over many years but not delivered much. Is the future likely to be different?

*Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines, Laos, Cambodia, Brunei and Myanmar.

Introduction

Capital amassed from sales of manufacturing goods and raw materials becomes capital invested regionally and beyond – what are the concerns and what can be done?

08:45 – 9:30

Lecture – Outbound Investment – Australia to Asia

Trade flows and investment flows to the region Australia wants to be part of – managing the process and the concerns. How can offshore help?

Lecture – Outbound Investment – Australia to the Americas

Trade flows and investment flows to the world’s biggest economy – managing the process and the concerns. How can offshore help?

Panel Discussion – China, India and the Arab World

Vast wealth, vast opportunities and half of the world – what does one need to consider when venturing to these areas?

Led by Donovan Waters QC, Canada

William Silsby, Shanghai

Andrew de la Rosa, UK/USA

Shanker Iyer, Singapore

Peter Church, India/Australia

Lecture – Outbound Investment from New Zealand

An island nation, small of population, it punches above its weight in international trade. What are the concerns here and how can offshore help?

Lecture – Outbound Investment from Japan

Another island nation that punches above its weight, but one with a culture that deeply infuses commercial life and expectations. Can offshore be the bridge?

Lecture – Canada to the World

Innovative, independent and well integrated into the world – how has this G8 country used the benefits of offshore?

Introduction

The wealth of Asia was created by individuals and families and that still drives internationalism from Asia.

08:45 – 10:15

Panel discussion – Investors from Asia

Is there such a thing as a “typical Asian investor”, or a “typical Asian Investor’s concern”, or a “typical offshore structure suitable in Asia”? The panel examines the realities of business in the Region.

Led by David Chong, Singapore

Nicholas Jacob, UK

Bill Ahern, Hong Kong

Oliver Silsby, Taiwan

Lecture – Individuals Investing into Europe

An overview of the issues of which individual investors into Europe must be aware and how offshore can minimize problem areas.

Dr H. L. Bernhard Vischer, Switzerland

Lecture – Individuals Investing into the United States of America

An overview of the issues of which individual investors into the USA must be aware and how offshore can minimize problem areas.

Case study preparation (including lunch) – Delegates only
Discussion - Issues of Wider Concern (including lunch) – Speakers only

Panel discussion – Investors from Australasia

Renowned for their entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to venture abroad, the panel will consider the special issues facing the individual investor venturing forth from Australia or New Zealand.

Led by David Chong, Singapore

Barry Woods, Australia

John W. Hart, New Zealand

David Russell QC, Australia

Afternoon tea break

Lecture – Individuals Investing into the United Kingdom

An overview of the issues of which individual investors into UK must be aware and how offshore can minimize problem areas.

Lecture – Individuals Investing into Asia

An overview of the issues of which individual investors into Asia must be aware and how offshore can minimize problem areas.

Lecture – Individuals Investing into China

An overview of the issues of which individual investors into China must be aware and how offshore can minimize problem areas.

Chinese New Year Celebrations

Garden Terrace, Marriott

Introduction

The Region attracts a lot of investment capital from high tax countries; can it legitimately be structured via offshore on the way to the benefit of both sender and receiver? What are the points to consider if it is so structured?

08:45 – 10:15

Panel discussion – Investors from Asia

Investment into Asia offers many opportunities for success and failure. Perhaps the use of offshore can enhance the chance of success or minimize the risk of failure, and not stifle the business. But can it be done without increasing the problems at home?

Led by Oliver Silsby, Taiwan

Charles Falk, USA

Peter Church, Australia

Stuart Robertson, Switzerland

Paul Deayton, Hong Kong

Lecture – Investing for Value in Asia

Investing for Value in Asia looks at some of the ways large MNCs, specially inbound but increasingly domestic investors, have sought to create "sustainable value" in the Asia Pacific region. This session looks at the challenges and current successes being enjoyed in the region as well as some of the risks for the future.

Lecture – Structuring Investments into Japan

So many people want to go there, and some succeed – what needs to be considered to get the inbound investment structure established to yield the best returns?

Lecture - Structuring Outbound US Investments

If we are accepting investment from the USA, what are the types of structures we will have to deal with? Are there incompatibilities?

Lunch

Panel discussion – Investment into Australasia

There are plenty of opportunities for investment into Australia and New Zealand. Apart from the people, of what must the foreign investor beware? Can offshore help?

Led by Oliver Silsby, Taiwan

David Russell QC, Australia

John W. Hart, New Zealand

Barry Woods, Australia

Bill Thompson, Australia

Afternoon tea break plus group photographs

Formal Closing Dinner and Case Study Prize Presentation

To be held at ‘The Villa’, Nerang

Breakfast served in Lagoon Restaurant at the Marriott

Delegates depart