Wealth IQ CEO Veronika Zhukova joined the panel discussion, "Alternative Jurisdictions: New Opportunities and Infrastructure," covering key topics such as:
The discussion explored various jurisdictions that are becoming increasingly popular among wealthy investors.
🇸🇬 Singapore
Singapore is particularly attractive to ultra-high-net-worth clients. It offers broad access to investment opportunities across multiple jurisdictions, although the high entry threshold and infrastructure costs can be significant. The country also provides notable tax and immigration benefits, making it even more appealing. Interestingly, many family offices of top tech executives are located in Singapore.
🇭🇰 Hong Kong
Hong Kong's strategy of offering favorable tax policies to attract foreign capital has proven successful. Like Singapore, however, it is more suitable for ultra-high-net-worth investors who are prepared to undergo strict KYC procedures.
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan has become one of the top destinations for Russian investors. The development of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) and the Astana International Exchange (AIX) will likely enhance its appeal, although liquidity remains an issue. Kazakhstan’s financial markets are somewhat reminiscent of Russia's in 2014, offering Russian investors a way to diversify their capital beyond domestic brokers.
🇬🇪 Georgia
For private investors, Georgia offers a highly convenient alternative compared to Asian jurisdictions. It rarely interacts with Russian banks, companies, or institutions, which makes it an under-the-radar option for asset managers. The country also boasts one of the most efficient banking infrastructures in the post-Soviet region, with the added advantage of direct access to U.S. and European markets. The only downside is a slightly longer and more rigorous compliance process, with account openings taking about a month and a half.
🌎 Latin America (LatAm)
The region has benefited from the ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China. Although economic growth in Latin America is slowing, there is potential for monetary stimulus, with interest rates expected to follow the U.S. Federal Reserve’s lead and decrease. Experts see strong potential for currency bonds in the LatAm market.
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Political stability, economic strength, world-class infrastructure, and favorable tax policies have turned the UAE into a key financial center for Russian investors. In the current climate, specialists recommend focusing on UAE markets, as several recent offerings have performed exceptionally well on the Dubai and Abu Dhabi exchanges.
In addition to Veronika Zhukova, the panel included:
- Prospects for the Singapore stock market
- China as an emerging global financial center
- Investment opportunities in CIS debt markets, with Brazil and South Africa as rising investment hubs
The discussion explored various jurisdictions that are becoming increasingly popular among wealthy investors.
🇸🇬 Singapore
Singapore is particularly attractive to ultra-high-net-worth clients. It offers broad access to investment opportunities across multiple jurisdictions, although the high entry threshold and infrastructure costs can be significant. The country also provides notable tax and immigration benefits, making it even more appealing. Interestingly, many family offices of top tech executives are located in Singapore.
🇭🇰 Hong Kong
Hong Kong's strategy of offering favorable tax policies to attract foreign capital has proven successful. Like Singapore, however, it is more suitable for ultra-high-net-worth investors who are prepared to undergo strict KYC procedures.
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan has become one of the top destinations for Russian investors. The development of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) and the Astana International Exchange (AIX) will likely enhance its appeal, although liquidity remains an issue. Kazakhstan’s financial markets are somewhat reminiscent of Russia's in 2014, offering Russian investors a way to diversify their capital beyond domestic brokers.
🇬🇪 Georgia
For private investors, Georgia offers a highly convenient alternative compared to Asian jurisdictions. It rarely interacts with Russian banks, companies, or institutions, which makes it an under-the-radar option for asset managers. The country also boasts one of the most efficient banking infrastructures in the post-Soviet region, with the added advantage of direct access to U.S. and European markets. The only downside is a slightly longer and more rigorous compliance process, with account openings taking about a month and a half.
🌎 Latin America (LatAm)
The region has benefited from the ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China. Although economic growth in Latin America is slowing, there is potential for monetary stimulus, with interest rates expected to follow the U.S. Federal Reserve’s lead and decrease. Experts see strong potential for currency bonds in the LatAm market.
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Political stability, economic strength, world-class infrastructure, and favorable tax policies have turned the UAE into a key financial center for Russian investors. In the current climate, specialists recommend focusing on UAE markets, as several recent offerings have performed exceptionally well on the Dubai and Abu Dhabi exchanges.
In addition to Veronika Zhukova, the panel included:
- Vyacheslav Golik, Portfolio Manager, Chief Investment Officer at ALG Capital
- Pavel Pakhomov, Financial Markets Analyst
- Mikhail Smirnov, Deputy Director of Investments at General Invest
- Igor Danilenko, CIO, Head of Asset Management at Renaissance Capital
- Ekaterina Chernova, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Octagon