In Beijing, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange has announced that citizens may now invest in foreign equities as part of a small test scheme. Under the programme, citizens of the city of
Many local commentators expect this to be merely the first step in letting Chinese citizens tap global markets along with diversifying away from the country's focus on US Treasury bonds and foreign direct investment in overseas plays. Prior to this test scheme, only particular banks and brokerages could invest overseas under the ‘’qualified domestic institutional investor‘’ program.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), the country's competition regulator, has approved the offer from a private equity-backed consortium headed by Healthscope to acquire its larger rival Symbion Health for $2.4 billion.
Healthscope's bid is backed by private equity firms Ironbridge Capital and Anchor Capital. Under the proposal, Healthscope would acquire Symbion's medical testing and health centre businesses, while the two firms would retain the consumer and pharmacy business. The approval came in the wake of Healthscope selling some regional businesses to allay competition concerns. Healthscope's bid beat the competing offer from Sigma Pharmaceuticals. The acquisition will create the country's largest pathology provider and second-largest private hospital operator. It will stand as the biggest takeover in
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The China Insurance Regulatory Commission has issued new limitations on foreign investment in the country's insurance industry. Under the new regulations, foreign investors will need to retain any investment in a local insurance business for three years in an effort to curb short-term profit-making. Beyond the three-year lock-up period, foreign entities pursuing insurance targets need to have a minimum of $2 billion in assets, along with three straight years of top marks from an international credit agency and a viable earnings track record for that same period. The regulator will maintain the standard limits on foreign ownership of a Chinese company of no more than 25 percent, and no more than 20 percent by a single foreign investor. Any insurer exceeding that 25 percent foreign ownership cap will be treated as an overseas entity.
Regulatory News
China to relax rules on foreign equity ownership * Australia clears private equity purchase of Symbion Health * Thailand: civil servant recommends alternative assets move * China restricts insurance deals