A group from the delegation will then visit Shanghai next week. Jersey’s Finance Industry was also represented at the STEP Asia Conference held last week in Hong Kong.

Last year, Jersey Finance organised a visit to the Far East for the first time, meeting business leaders and finance professionals. Feedback from the visit was so positive that Jersey Finance was keen to arrange a return visit. Pierre Horsfall, CBE, Chairman of Jersey Finance, who is leading the delegation and hosting the Hong Kong and Shanghai Lunch events, commented:

‘The purpose of the visit is to outline the breadth and depth of business opportunities that Jersey can offer international investors and to foster influential business contacts in the region. Of course, significant business is already undertaken between Jersey and Asia, not least in Hong Kong, but we believe there is potential for far more and we aim to highlight the growth in some of the specialist services that the Island offers international investors. We are looking forward to renewing contacts and meeting other professionals with an interest in Jersey’s financial services.

‘We are also delighted to be returning to Shanghai to further cement contacts that we established last year, with a view to a more formal presentation next time we are in the region. Given the Chinese Authorities’ policy of actively encouraging domestic companies to seek foreign capital, there is particular interest, for example, in using Jersey as a centre to structure foreign direct investment into China.’

The Lunch Presentation is being held at The Conrad Hotel in Hong Kong and a Private Luncheon will be held in Shanghai at the Hilton Shanghai Hotel on Thursday, 19th October. As always, Jersey-based Finance Industry delegates who join the visit will meet their own costs.

As well as offering delegates an update on regulatory and legislative developments in Jersey, including the recent Trust Law Amendments, topics being discussed include how the Island continues to be an attractive jurisdiction for international business; Jersey’s role as a European funds centre of choice; the Island’s capabilities in supporting structured finance transactions; and the role of Jersey companies as listing vehicles.

Jersey Finance has involved an expert panel of speakers, including:

• Geoffrey Grime, a senior trust specialist and founder and former Chairman of Jersey Finance;
• John Harris, Director of International Finance for the States of Jersey, the Island’s Government and designate Director General of the Jersey Financial Services Commission;
• Alex Ohlsson, Partner at Carey Olsen, Jersey; and
• Hiren Patel, Partner at Walkers, Jersey.