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Fall/Winter
2003: This is the
third and final issue of OFC published in 2003 and also the final issue to be
published. It covers the period from
October to December 2003. A lot of time
was spent in 2003 analyzing changes in the past few years to the offshore
finance industry, responding to regulatory demands, forecasting market trends,
and developing new and compliant models for business. Call it a revolution of sorts.
A perfect example is Barbados-based Bayshore Bank & Trust, whose executives are adapting to
what they call "a new world order" in the private banking
industry. An emerging concept known as
"open architecture," is causing sweeping changes in the way banks
deal with one another. Bayshore's CEO John Bujouves
explains in our cover story that small and medium-sized firms– once fierce
competitors–now have no choice but to work together. "If you do everything
in-house," he says, "there's no possible way you can be the best in
all investment markets."
Financial services commissions throughout the offshore
industry have also been hard at work adapting to new challenges. Bermuda's
international business sector has been buoyed by renewed interest in the
captive insurance structure. "The
jurisdiction has seen a 40% increase over the number of captives incorporated
in 2002," says Shelby Weldon, deputy director of insurance at the Bermuda
Monetary Authority.
In Anguilla,
the Task Force for Development of E-Commerce delivered its first report to the
government in July 2003. The report
focuses on developing strategies to capitalize on the country's significant competitive
advantages in e-commerce.
In Nevis,
the Director of the Nevis Ministry of Finance's Development and Marketing
Department, Dr. Agatha Jeffers-Gooden, is very
optimistic for prospects in her jurisdiction.
"As the winds of innovation and change blow on the ever-changing
global marketplace, Nevis
continues to be well positioned to remain a premier contender among
international trust and company formation jurisdictions in the world."
And in St.
Lucia, business
leaders call their offshore financial sector "the new standard for an
international financial centre."
The articles in this issue offer a summary of the most important
developments in selected offshore finance jurisdictions, whether legislative,
political or practical in terms of financial planning techniques.
Spring 2003: This is the second of three issues of OFC
published in 2003 and covers the period from May to September. With most offshore finance centres having upgraded their regulatory regimes to levels
that now exceed international standards, the year is
turning into a battle to set the record straight. The overwhelming value of assets offshore is
attributable to legitimate uses of financial structures and planning
techniques. One such opportunity is in
international shipping, which offers a unique vehicle for offshore investment
and is discussed at length in this issue.
We also look at economic citizenship in St. Kitts,
which offers the most attractive option for a legal alternative citizenship and
passport. An investment in St. Kitts
will appeal to even the most critical real estate eye as a prudent decision.
So you want to be a private banker? With potential operating profits as high as
35%, offshore private banking is a market worth chasing. And find out about the seven essential
characteristics of effective wealth management companies.
In Gold'N Gas, we profile
Canadian investment firm Leeward Hedge Funds and learn why Canada's
natural resources offer an excellent hedge to markets heavily weighted towards
manufacturing and technology. We also
learn why the firm set sail for the Cayman
Islands as part of it strategy for windy market
conditions.
Winter 2003: This is the first of three issues of OFC
published in 2003 and covers the period from January to April. Ottawa
released modified proposals for the taxation of non-resident trusts and foreign
investment entities and we report on the implication of these developments as
well as the Canadian regulations requiring people to disclose when they are
transferring large sums of money into or out of the country. In our article, Anonymous Disclosure, you can
also read about negotiating unreported income settlements with CCRA on a no
name basis.
Find out why legitimate companies use offshore
financial centres for their e-commerce
solutions. And we have all the answers
you need to know to questions you've probably never thought to ask about
forming an IBC.
In our profile of offshore jurisdictions, we look at a
material breach by the OECD. Imagine the
surprise late last year, when offshore financial centres
learned that the party with which they had made one of the most important
long-term contracts ever–the OECD–was in violation of its obligation less than
a year after its undertaking. The OECD,
which bullied and forced the smaller jurisdictions to make commitments to
change their privacy and tax information sharing laws, to agree to deadlines
for implementation, to agree to a moratorium on certain new laws, etc., could
not itself uphold its obligation to maintain a level playing field. We have a few stories on the impact of this
indiscretion by the OECD.
We also go behind the scenes in Anguilla - one of
the offshore finance industry's low-key jurisdictions. We look at how Bermuda
avoided the blacklists and why it’s becoming a full-time job for the
jurisdiction to defend its good name.
September/October
2002: This is third
and final issue of OFC published under the title of Vault magazine. It is also the last issue of OFC published in
2002. In our Special Focus section on
the Bahamas,
we visit the jurisdiction to tell you just what has been going on there
recently and what that election meant.
Many Bahamian financial professionals in the know say
they can feel the winds of change starting to pick up in the Bahamas. We also sit down with Allyson Maynard Gibson,
the Bahamas'
new minister of financial services and investment. An attorney for 23 years, Maynard Gibson was
tapped by newly elected Prime Minister Perry Christie to head up the new Ministry
of Financial Services and Investment.
"My ministry will promote the Bahamas'
financial services sector, while the Ministry of Finance will ensure that our
regulatory framework is sound and secure," she says. "Both ministries recognize the
importance of collaboration not only with our industry partners but also among
ministries."
Raymond Gibson tells us why the Bahamas,
once a favorite hangout for pirates, has become such a popular choice for
residency. "One of the most
interesting attractions of the Bahamas
is an almost complete absence of direct taxation," Gibson tells us. "No taxes are levied on capital gains,
corporate earnings, personal income, sales, inheritance or dividends."
The above attractions and incentives were a major draw
for Derivatives Portfolio Management LLC, who set up shop in the Bahamas
recently. We profile the Somerset, New Jersey-based firm.
And we take a look at gold, as the yellow metal has
been shining brightly in investors' eyes lately. We also tell you about the Perth Mint
Certificate Program, which lets investors store their
precious metals Down Under.
We also take an in-depth look at trusts. Find out what an international trust can do
for you and gaze into a crystal ball to see the future of international trusts
for private clients.
In today's ever-changing global business climate, it
is the exceptional global entrepreneur that chooses an offshore structure for a
new technology or e-business. In our
article, "Offshore Intellectual Property:
Protecting the Brand," we explain the ins and outs.
July/August
2002: This is the
second issue of OFC published under the title of Vault magazine. Back by popular demand for our special focus
is Barbados. Thanks in large part to its impressive
network of tax treaties, Barbados
has become a world-class financial hub with strong ties to Canada. We visit with the corporate management team
at Bayshore Bank and Trust Corp., for example, and
learn about their Canadian roots, as well as the bank's innovative product
offerings. Yolande
Bannister and Sean A.M. Lewis give us the latest on e-commerce developments in Barbados,
while Nigel Bennett tells us how the jurisdiction's insurance industry is
enjoying rapid growth, fuelled by government policy.
In the conclusion of a two-part series on captive
insurance, read about how to select a captive domicile. We also provide a comparison of three of the
leaders.
Despite the pressure the United States Internal
Revenue Service is placing on Visa to cough up the records of offshore credit
card holders, the cards still serve a useful purpose. In "Getting a Second Chance at
Credit," we take a look at the phenomenon of people who are looking at
offshore credit cards for credit solutions.
In the hands of the Organization for Economic Cooperation
and Development and the Financial Action Task Force, blacklists have simply
become a political tool. Well, at least
that's the argument David McNair puts forth in his article, "Checking the
List." McNair calls the OECD
harmful tax practices blacklist and the FATF anti-money laundering blacklist a
"misguided attempt at international policy gone bad."
In this issue of Vault, you'll also find out which
country ranked as the most stable emerging market in the world in a recent Lehman
Brothers and Eurasia Group stability index.
And we discuss Hong Kong's
economic prospects, which appear to be on a rebound.
In addition, read about the IRS's latest fishing
expedition, and discover one of Europe's
best locations for tax-advantaged residence and yachting.
May/June
2002: This is the
premier issue of Vault, which combined our popular and highly respected
Offshore Finance Canada
and Offshore Finance U.S.A.
magazines. This issue features an
in-depth article on the commitments jurisdictions recently made to the
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to eliminate so-called
harmful tax practices. The OECD has been
after the jurisdictions for some time now, and when the deadline finally rolled
around, many of them promised to improve transparency and establish effective
exchange of information ... on one condition.
We also take another look at the Enron debacle. The collapse of the Houston, Texas-based
energy trading giant has raised some more questions about offshore finance,
including the growing trend of companies relocating in offshore jurisdictions
like Bermuda.
In the first part of a two-part series, you will
discover the ins and outs of captive insurance.
If your corporate insurance goals consist of
reducing your annual premium payments, while still ensuring your insurance
coverage remains adequate, captive insurance might be the solution for you.
Switzerland
is one of the most picturesque countries in the world. It is also an excellent location for business
and tax-advantaged residence. And our
resident investment maven explores the world of ethical,
or social investing, where investors can make a healthy profit while making a
difference. You'll also find fascinating
articles on golfing in Bermuda
and the Caribbean, and the
recently enacted USA Patriot Act and its effects on correspondent banking, as
well as a few surprises.
March/April
2002: In our special focus sections, we
visit the three hottest financial centres in Central America: Belize, Costa Rica and Panama.
Actively pursuing legislation to enhance its offshore financial status, Belize has become one of the world's
fastest-growing offshore finance centres.
Belize has also been quick to embrace
e-commerce, with the country's data processing industry experiencing tremendous
success. And despite some drawbacks, Belize is an attractive country in which
to settle.
Costa Rica is not an offshore finance
jurisdiction in the traditional sense of the word. But its favourable tax regime still offers
advantages to investors. In addition, Costa Rica is fast becoming the sportsbook capital of the world, as bookies are leaving the
traditional sportsbook hotbed of Las Vegas and setting up here.
Panama's location on the narrowest point
of the isthmus joining North and South America has long attracted trade and commerce. And offering a host of advantages for
e-commerce, Panama is wired for the future.
Thomas
Peacock debunks the five most common myths about offshore finance. Lawyer Richard Duke explains how the recently
enacted USA Patriot Act has created unprecedented restrictions on offshore
banking and finance. Dwarka
Lakhan explains how Latin American nations are trying
to cushion themselves against Argentina's debt crisis. Lakhan also
examines the hottest emerging markets in Latin America and beyond.
And we look
at the collapse of American energy-trading giant Enron, which sent shock waves
offshore and ignited fears of another backlash against offshore finance
jurisdictions.
January/February
2002 (SOLD OUT): We examine structured finance and
capital in Cayman, as well as the important role money laundering reporting officers play, while Chris Narborough
and Philip Boni provide us with an in-depth look at
the Ansbacher case and its effects on bank confidentiality
in Cayman. We also introduce you to the
largest luxury property in Cayman, The Residences at the Ritz-Carlton, which is
scheduled to open on Grand Cayman's Seven Mile Beach next year.
Financial services also plays a major role in the Isle of Man, accounting for about 50% of the
United Kingdom Crown Dependency's income. The Isle of Man is also looking to the future with
its strategy aimed at making it the world's leading offshore e-commerce centre.
And the island's competitive tax regime and strict regulation are making it a
safe bet for online gambling operators.
We also visit the Isle of Man International Business School, which wants to become the world's
leading study centre for offshore banking, finance and insurance. And we take a
look at the island's compensation schemes, as well as the use of protected cell
companies.
More than
650 delegates from some 50 countries attended the second International Money
Laundering Conference, held in Montreal, Quebec last October, to discuss ways of stopping
the flow of dirty money. We were at the
conference and report on the recommendations that came out of it.
Also last
October, Canadian securities began an ongoing inquiry into how dealers and
brokers deal with offshore accounts. We talked with some of the regulators and
tell you what they had to say.
November/December
2001: In our special focus sections, we visit
Barbados and the Channel Islands.
Barbados has long enjoyed a close
relationship with Canada, but the countries' friendship
extends well beyond tourism and politics.
Sandelle Scrimshaw, Canada's high commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, calls Barbados Canada's
"third-most important investment destination."Barbados' extensive network of tax and
bilateral investment treaties, in fact, serves as an important consideration
for Canadian e-businesses looking to set up there. Barbados isn't all work and no play,
however. The sun-soaked Caribbean island's real estate market has
something for everyone, and Barbados is also in a drive to become a
premier golf destination.
Already in
the upper echelon of offshore jurisdictions, the Channel Islands, particularly
Guernsey and Jersey, have also been aggressively pursuing e-commerce, while
Alderney is hoping to cash in on the booming online gambling market by granting
online casino licences. In addition, we
give you the lowdown on investment fund management in the Channel Islands.
When moving
offshore, many Canadians take the extreme measure of severing all ties to Canada. But this doesn't have to be the
case; knowing which ties to keep can make life much easier.
We also
take an in-depth look at what happens to investors' money when government
authorities freeze the assets of a financial institution.
And our
cover story explores the fascinating field of forensic accounting, in which Canada has been a pioneer for over 25
years. Often called the "James
Bonds" of the financial world, forensic accountants apply their creativity
and detective skills to money laundering and fraud cases that often require
extensive, specialized investigations.
September/October
2001: In our special
focus sections, we visit Bermuda
and St. Lucia. Already an insurance hotbed, Bermuda
is also marketing itself as the "Convergence
Island"
to people wishing to combine insurance with hedge funds and e-commerce. Bermuda
is at the forefront of developments in e-commerce but is also trying to step
into the spotlight and play a major role in the film production industry. We also take a look at Bermuda's
high-end real estate market, which has been going through some changes of late.
St. Lucia
has only been an offshore financial centre for a year-and-a-half, but due
largely to its innovative Pinnacle online IBC registry, the jurisdiction has
made a splash as the newest addition to the offshore world. St. Lucian
authorities want to keep their jurisdiction clean, so they're taking things one
applicant at a time, with Bank Crozier International
being licensed as St. Lucia's
first offshore bank in February. Part of what makes any jurisdiction a success
is its people, and we show you that the people who live in St.
Lucia are hard to
forget.
The Financial Action Task Force released its updated
money laundering blacklist in June. We
tell you which jurisdictions were removed from the list and which were added.
We report on the third annual Global Interactive
Gaming Summit and Expo, which was held in Toronto
in June and attracted over 800 delegates from more than 40 countries.
Wayne
and Scott Turner's world came crashing down earlier this year when the
father-son team resigned from the investment company they launched to face
fraud charges.
And we meet a 30-year-old Montrealer
who is pursuing his dream of opening a microbrewery in the Bahamas.
July/August
2001 (SOLD OUT): In our
special focus sections, we visit Labuan
and the Netherlands Antilles.
We trace Labuan's colourful
history from its beginnings as a pirate-fighting colony to the birth of its international
offshore financial centre. The island is poised to play a pivotal role in
developing Islamic financial products, something Canadian companies stand to
benefit from. We also talk to the new director general of the Labuan Offshore Financial Services Authority. But there's
more to Labuan
than offshore finance-the island is also being promoted as a retirement centre
for the wealthy.
The Netherlands
Antilles has worked hard for its reputation
as a first-class international finance centre and now it's ready to cash in. We
examine the Netherlands Antilles'
New Fiscal Framework and recently passed e-zone legislation, which is stirring
up the jurisdiction's financial sector. We also take a look at the incentives
offered to foreign pensioners to spend their golden years in the Netherlands
Antilles.
Offshore jurisdictions breathed a little easier in May
after the United
States withdrew
its support for the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's
"harmful tax competition" initiative. But are the jurisdictions out
of the woods yet?
We look at Web conferencing, which promises
face-to-face contact with clients, without the travel costs. We also sit down
with a remote conferencing techie trailblazer who is setting a standard for the
offshore finance industry.
Startup offshore e-businesses are feeling a pinch when
trying to get merchant accounts. Why the hassle?
And landing a job in a sun-soaked offshore
jurisdiction was once considered the perfect opportunity for an extended paid
vacation-is it still?
May/June
2001 (SOLD OUT): Our
special focus is on Dubai
and the Turks and Caicos
Islands. Living in Dubai
can be a wonderful adventure, if you respect the regulations. Dubai
is becoming the fastest growing offshore centre in the Middle
East, especially with Dubai's
Internet
City
lighting up the Persian Gulf.
In the Turks and Caicos
Islands, many professionals are counting on a surge in
business from neighbouring centres.
Leading the pack, Canadian investment advisor Scott Turner is ready to bring
the financial world to new and better heights and Canadian entrepreneur Stan Hartling is leaving his mark on luxury resort development.
We analyze the art of due diligence as offshore professionals must skillfully
solicit information from trusting clients. We examine the Mananotu
Dream Hoax as another offshore centre may be nothing more than a pipe dream.
Finally, we look at offshore medical resorts that offer vacations and health
care combined in one.
March/April
2001 (SOLD OUT): Our
special focus is on Mauritius
and Seychelles-two new bright spots on the offshore horizon. We explore why Seychelles
is in no hurry to introduce a new economic citizenship program and why Mauritius
is offering permanent residency to help shift its economy into high gear. Mauritius
also has an extensive tax treaty network, and we see why Canada
may become its newest partner this year. We take a closer look at Canadian
company Masuparia Gold Corporation, as it shifts
operations from mining to e-commerce and prepares to enter the online financial
services market. Our cover profile features Ann Searles-about
to take the reigns as President of IBT Caribbean. After gaining a solid
foothold in Canada,
IBT plans to take its personal efficiency crusade offshore. We delve into the competitive
international trading board market and follow the expansion of Worldbid.com
into the offshore sectors. And we look at the OSC stepping in, for the first
time, to shut down Web sites offering potentially fraudulent investment
schemes.
January/February
2001: Special focus
on the British Virgin Islands.
The leading jurisdiction in the formation of international business companies
is under the international glare. Is there still a place for bearer shares,
nominee directorships and quick, low-cost registrations? BVI professionals say
"yes," but the role of company formation agents has changed
substantially. We profile Michael Lee-Chin, one of Canada's
most successful entrepreneurs, who has now set his sights offshore. Whatever
happened to Montserrat?
Its offshore sector is hanging on by a thread, while an independent auditor is
calling for a moratorium. And while clone funds are a great way to boost the
content of your RRSP, they should only be used if you have maximized the
allowable foreign content limit.
November/December
2000: Special focus on the South Pacific- How some centres promote confidentiality, the lack of
information-sharing agreements, and how these features will be affected by
international pressures for increased transparency. We look at the Cook
Islands, the strength of its asset protection regime,
and Samoa, a popular
choice for the formation of international companies. The OECD has come out hard
against the entire offshore finance industry and we have reactions from many
the bleak future of bearer shares in Belize,
the possibility of a tax information exchange agreement for the Bahamas,
new money laundering laws for Mauritius,
St. Vincent, Cayman Islands,
Panama
and much more. And our cover story examines the option of taking up permanent
residency on a luxurious Cruise line.
September/October
2000: (SOLD OUT) Special focus on Central Europe - the evolution of Europe's
foreign markets come into play as we focus on Switzerland,
Austria,
Luxembourg,
and Liechtenstein.
We look at the concept of bank secrecy in Liechtenstein
and Luxembourg
and what the OECD is doing about it. The upholding of secrecy laws in Switzerland.
The open exposure of the global marketplace and the
interaction between the banks and brokerages in Austria. This issue also contains guidelines
on offshore investing and the benefits it can have. Our offshore profile
targets John Palmer, chairman of the Financial Stability Forum's Working Group
on Offshore Finance Centres. He shares his thoughts
about the FSF blacklist and the challenges of dealing with regulators of global
financial services.
July/August
2000: Special focus on the Bahamas
- a veritable tax haven for investors, with no income tax, rigidly enforced
secrecy laws, and a stable economic and political climate. We consider some of
the practical concerns of living and working in the Bahamas, examine the prospects and obstacle
facing those setting up e-commerce operations and profile a man who makes a
living setting up stock exchanges, including the recently launched Bahamas
International Stock Exchange. In our cover story, "Gambling on a
Brainchild," we take a look at young offshore entrepreneur Jean-Yves Sireau, who's wagering that financial betting will be the
wave of the future for online gaming. We also delve into the intriguing world
of financial crime and take a look at the establishment of financial
intelligence units, the latest law enforcement tool.
May/June
2000: Special focus on the Mediterranean offshore finance centres including Cyprus,
Gibraltar,
Israel,
Madeira and Malta
- despite political uncertainty, the offshore centres
in the region are flourishing; profile of offshore investment entrepreneur Dion Friedland - he was a
multi-millionaire at age 25, a management guru by age 30 and a fine art dealer
by age 35. He is now one of the world's top offshore hedge fund advisors - find
out how he did it and what motivates him in our feature profile; a review of
international initiatives to improve regulation of cross border financial
services, including the UN Offshore Forum and the annual International
Narcotics Control Strategy Report issued by the US State Department.
March/April
2000: Special focus on the so-called offshore finance centres of the United
States, including
the set up of business companies in Delaware,
Nevada
and Wyoming;
private banking and foreign investment depositories in Montana;
and asset protection trust structures in Alaska;
cover story on offshore credit cards, including payment systems for e-commerce
merchants, data encryption and privacy issues when using offshore credit cards,
and a comparative survey of several credit card on the market; crackdown by
securities regulators on numerous prime bank investment schemes; defective and
abusive offshore trust structures.
January/February
2000: Special focus on St.
Vincent and the Grenadines,
one of the first countries in the Caribbean
to have adopted an offshore financial legislative package and now a premier
jurisdiction for privacy and confidentiality; dawn of a new age in offshore
financial planning; using offshore corporate hybrids as an alternative to
trusts; snowbird strategies for minimizing US estate taxes; unique
circumstances in global e-commerce present new taxation challenges; tax-managed
and tax-savvy offshore funds; a report on advance fee frauds; trust and
confidence in professional relationships; a due diligence survey of information
available from offshore regulators - what they can and cannot do for you and
who to contact.
November/December
1999: Special focus on Anguilla,
a country which has quickly emerged as one of the leading offshore e-commerce
hubs; Anguilla seeks a future in offshore IPOs; investing through offshore companies to save on
income tax; using an offshore corporation to manage the tax liability for
unrealized capital gains; timing works best for offshore investment strategies;
who's afraid of bank debentures - a
report on prime bank instrument frauds; the true value of offshore conferences
and seminars; RRSP options for a prospective Canadian expatriate; profile of a
former resident of British
Columbia who left Canada
to set up new roots in Costa Rica.
September/October
1999: Special focus on the Channel Islands, among the most
well-regulated offshore finance centres in the
industry and leaders in the investment funds and insurance markets; the
one-stop shop that is the Channel Islands Stock Exchange; law reform in
Guernsey, including the balancing of reporting requirements and duties of
confidentiality; Jersey at the forefront of international law enforcement
efforts; country funds - an attractive way to invest in foreign markets; the
Anderson case - toxic investments, impossibility and trusts; international
pressure for greater transparency in the offshore finance industry from
numerous government organizations and interest groups.
July/August
1999: Special focus on St. Kitts and Nevis, two fiercely
independent countries offering their own distinct services for offshore finance
and trading; asset protection trusts in Nevis; interviews with the regulators
in Nevis and St. Kitts regarding the evolution and challenges facing their
jurisdictions; investment strategies based on fixed, floating and pegged
exchange rates; the ultimate tax planning tool of non-residency; taxpayer
migration rules; a detailed survey of permanent residence schemes and economic
citizenship programs in ten leading Caribbean jurisdictions; separate profiles
of economic citizenship programs in Grenada,
Dominica
and Belize.
May/June 1999: Special focus on Central
America, including Belize,
Panama
and Costa Rica;
selecting the best jurisdiction for your needs; the new offshore financial
package in Belize
and an interview with the president of the Belize
offshore practitioners association; offshore financial planning using a Panama
private foundation; international business and international shipping in Panama;
high-yield corporate debt as an offshore investment alternative; the Canadian
marketplace and demand for offshore financial products and services; Canadian
courts come down hard on Revenue Canada
investigators; the rules regarding offshore investment fund properties.
January-April
1999 (SOLD OUT): Special
focus on Antigua, a renewed offshore financial jurisdiction; introduction of
the international financial sector authority in Antigua and an interview with
its director; the advantages and approval process of Antigua's permanent
residence scheme; offshore investment fund structures; a look at the new Turks
and Caicos Islands mutual funds ordinance; never,
never lands – the proliferation of imaginary offshore jurisdictions such as the
Dominion of Melchizedek, Oceania and New Utopia; the solicitor-client privilege
in the offshore context; corporate emigration to offshore jurisdictions.
November/December
1998: Special focus on Barbados,
a tax treaty jurisdiction focusing on the development of its international
business sector; the evolution of offshore banking in Barbados;
the promotion of bilateral trade and investment between Canada
and Barbados;
the new regime for captive insurance companies in Barbados
and work opportunities for foreign personnel; foreign trust reporting and tax
treatment of US expatriates; avoiding Canadian taxation of business profits
treated as foreign accrual property income; superior performance of hedge funds
in highly volatile investment markets; the use of limited partnerships in
offshore investment planning.
September/October
1998: Special focus on the Cayman Islands, one of the
largest offshore banking centres in the world; real
estate investment and residency requirements in the Cayman Islands; exempt
companies - the vehicle of choice for international investors; mutual funds and
the Cayman Islands Stock Exchange; offshore planning opportunities under the
special trusts alternative regime law; letters of credit - the problems and
solutions; trading benefits in offshore free trade zones; Canada's crackdown on
offshore financial planning - the new foreign property reporting rules;
international expatriate benefit plans.
July/August
1998: Special focus on the Turks
and Caicos Islands,
one of the most popular offshore jurisdictions for Canadian investors and
businesses; international investing with an offshore broker; legislative
initiatives and developments in the TCI; owning property, developing real
estate, living and working in the TCI; the varied uses of TCI offshore trusts;
a comparison of TCI corporate structures; insuring a company's greatest assets
- offshore employee benefits; sales are great, but how do I get paid - an
overview of international trade finance; how to beat the hidden costs in
foreign exchange; Canadian taxation of barter and countertrade
in international business.
May/June
1998: Special focus on Grenada, one of the newest entrants
to the offshore finance industry; the Grenada economic citizenship program;
privacy and disclosure of information in Grenada; international investment and
banking in Grenada; the business case for going offshore; Nevis trusts for
international business; South American expansion and the practical use of
Barbados international business companies; outlawing bribes as a cost of doing
business; offshore Internet banking, betting and gambling in Antigua;
accessing high- performance international funds; to disclose or not to disclose
- the dilemma facing modern trustees.
March/April
1998 (SOLD OUT): Special
focus on the Isle of Man, a centre and location of substantial international
business; special purpose vehicles for structuring offshore transactions;
proposals for the regulation of corporate service providers in the Isle of Man;
insuring business assets through asset protection trusts; offshore financial
planning for the family business; the offshore centre - situs
for management of the global company; banking safety in the Bahamas; the Gulf
Union Bank affair - separating fact from fancy; investing in US-managed
offshore funds.
January/February
1998: Special focus on Bermuda; a unique climate for
international business and insurance; Bermudian real estate for non-Bermudians;
Bermuda IBCs and their uses; forming and operating an
offshore sales company; the Barbados-Canada tax agreement; cross-border
opportunities for global tax reduction; appropriate dispute resolution -
managing conflict in offshore investment issues; crash-proofing your portfolio
with a Swiss annuity; extended application of the 20% foreign property
restriction.
November/December
1997: Special focus on the British
Virgin Islands, the premier jurisdiction for
offshore incorporations; the BVI's differentiated
approach to mutual funds regulation; re-defining due diligence procedures for
BVI corporate service providers; the flexibility of Bahamian IBCs; a review of offshore developments and legislative
plans in selected offshore financial centre; asset protection and privacy
features under the Belize
trust act.
September/October
1997: Special focus on the Bahamas,
perhaps the most popular offshore finance jurisdiction for North American
companies and individuals; foreign ownership of property and investment in the Bahamas;
offshore commercial real estate opportunities in the Bahamas;
captives - self-insurance with a twist; offshore life insurance - a different
story; the benefits of citizenship and second passports; protecting your wealth
when you move abroad.
July/August
1997: Special focus on the emerging offshore finance centre
in the Commonwealth of Dominica; the increasing accessibility of offshore
products and services; confidentiality and non-disclosure in Dominica; passport
to paradise - Dominica's economic citizenship program; investment and
development in Dominica - a question of balance; the Canadian connection in the
TCI - a profile of the law firm of McLean McNally; the truth about bank secrecy
legislation; the highly personal and specialized service of global wealth
management.
May/June
1997: feature report on money laundering controls in the
offshore finance centres; the policy considerations
underlying money laundering legislation in the Bahamas;
asset protection - the mechanics of a lawsuit; ownership of an offshore private
bank in Nauru;
some restrictions on global investment and how to overcome them; global credit
card access to offshore funds; investing trust assets - what every trustee and
beneficiary should know; real estate investment opportunities in the Atlantic
and the Caribbean; business
and executive travel - a spotlight on Barbados.
March/April
1997: Special focus on the offshore finance centres in Asia, the South Pacific and the Indian Ocean;
competitive advantages, niches and policy initiatives in the Cook Islands,
Mauritius, Nauru, Seychelles and Western Samoa; Hong Kong after the handover;
Canadian tax considerations of using offshore trusts; the cost of offshore
financial services; immigration trusts - a golden opportunity for the new Canadian.
January/February
1997: Feature report on Revenue Canada's tax haven
strategies for compliance and enforcement; exchange of information under
Canada's tax treaties; tax avoidance versus tax evasion; supervision of
financial services in Guernsey; confidentiality in transnational proceedings;
the cardinal sins of offshore investing; global custody attains new heights; Cook
Islands, at the leading edge of the offshore trusts
industry.
November/December
1996: Special focus on the offshore financial centres of the Caribbean;
shopping the Caribbean
for an offshore centre; challenging times for the Caribbean
offshore centres; who's who offshore - a guide to the
different service providers; privacy and disclosure of information in international
business centres; know your client - the best rule of
all; the benefits of using non-resident trusts for estate planning and asset
protection; the offshore opportunity today.