On 14 November 2024, saw the Singapore launch event of the Chinese Overseas Private Funds Association (COPFA) co-hosted with the Singapore Fund Directors Association (SFDA). It was the COPFA’s first in-person event held in Singapore since its April 2024 inaugural launch in Hong Kong.
The event took place at the Simmons & Simmons JWS office in Singapore, attended by fund industry practitioners including alternative investment managers, industry professionals, LPs and allocators and the media. The event was jointly sponsored by Credence Consulting Singapore, Simmons & Simmons, Solas and Velocity Trade.
COPFA is a non-profit industry-driven initiative and is the first industry body focusing on Chinese overseas private fund industry. COPFA connects Chinese managers with international allocators, service providers and other relevant parties in the overseas private fund industry. COPFA represents the voice and interest of the Chinese overseas private fund industry and advocate for high standards in regulation, innovation, ethics, governance and investor communication. The Singapore launch event demonstrates COPFA’s commitment to connect and collaborate with international industry bodies to strengthen industry-wide collaborations and promote interests of the Chinese fund ecosystem, which was well received and supported by the participants.
The opening remarks was delivered by Howard Ching, COPFA co-chair and Martin O’Regan, SFDA chairman.
“The establishment of COPFA reflects the needs of the Chinese overseas private fund industry connecting with international market participants. The industry has been evolving quickly in the past decade and the growing community in Singapore reflects the significance and contribution by Chinese managers in the region. We are pleased to see industry leaders from various sub-sectors coming from Singapore, Hong Kong and mainland China joining the event today. COPFA will continue to deliver its commitment to facilitate dialogues, knowledge sharing and advocacy for the industry.”, said Howard Ching.
“SFDA is honoured to form a strategic partnership with COPFA. As the premier body and the only industry association for fund directors in the region, we would continue to promote and develop best practise initiatives in the industry which also aligns COPFA’s mission to enhance standards and reputation for the industry. Being the major COPFA EXCO representative in Singapore, SFDA will continue to host events and roll out initiatives which are mutually beneficial to our members., said Martin O’Regan.
Following the opening remarks was a lively sharing session by various COPFA Singapore members on industry topics and their expectations about COPFA. Members who participated in the session included Jek Aun Long – Partner of Simmons & Simmons, Agnes Chen – Regional Managing Director APAC of CSC, Loretta Chan – Managing Director of Amethyst Partners, Eddie Lim – Managing Director of Credence Consulting, Zen Chong – CEO of Crescere Asset Management and YC Chiang, CEO of Pierce Capital. COPFA secretary Zi Yuan and Honorary Chairman, David Lau also attended the event representing the support of the COPFA Executive Committee and its membership.
“Singapore and Hong Kong co-exist in a most synergistic manner, and it is great to witness the COPFA Singapore launch and for the whole of COPFA membership to work across both jurisdictions.”, said David Lau.
As the sun set at the launch event, over 120 participants continued to enjoy the lively networking session getting to make new connections and renew old ones.
COPFA is open for membership and members joining its constituent working groups. Membership is USD1,000 p.a. for corporate members (both ordinary and associate member). More information can be found on the COPFA website www.copfa.org or contact COPFA secretariat at info@copfa.org
Event Sponsors:
