STEP Asia Conference 2008: Trusts & Tax in Asia - Skills for the Modern Era

This year's second Trusts & Tax in Asia Conference in Hong Kong builds on the success of the sell-out 2006 conference combining current issues, practice and theory sessions covering trust & tax areas both old and new.

The conference will address Hong Kong's historical role in China's economic development and predict its role come 2025, as well as taking a comparative look at the private banking markets of the People's Republic of China and India before examining what makes successful dynasties tick, what's happening in the family office world, trust law developments, the taxation of trusts, upcoming trust jurisdictions and the thorny area of trusts and divorce. The threatened end of banking privacy and just how effective OECD controls over the offshore world will really be is also examined.

For more details or to register, please visit the Conference website.

AGM

STEP (Singapore Chapter) held its 2008 AGM on 30 June at the NUSS Guild House in Suntec City. 23 members participated in the AGM which was preceded by a seminar, and followed by a networking cocktail.

Seminar on “Taxation of Individuals on Investments”

Prior to the STEP 2008 AGM, a talk was conducted by our President Bill Lexmond on “Taxation of Individuals on Investments” that included his thoughts on the latest MAS Circular on “Tax Exemption Scheme For Qualifying Family-Owned Investment Holding Companies”. Almost 140 participants from the trust industry registered for this hugely successful talk, which concluded with a networking session.

STEP is a global organisation, the premier organisation providing support to the fiduciary services businesses, associated with trusts and estates. We also aim to localise the support and, in addition to the global focus, STEP Singapore aims to provide services that assist its members to better understand the environment in Singapore.

The branch has been in existence since 1997. The services have mainly related to seminars presented both by local practitioners as well as by visiting professionals. In October 2005, with the aid of Barker Brooks and STEP Worldwide, the first STEP Asia conference was held in Singapore. The results were exceptional and demonstrated to all the need for quality information and education in the region.

The aim is to better support the membership and to support the fiduciary services businesses in Singapore and the region. In furtherance of this, this web site was established in 2006. By having this web site, we aim to develop it as both an information hub (for example, for events, seminars and activities) as well as a location for members to engage in dialogues on the Bulletin Board. E-mail is an incredibly useful tool, and with the Bulletin board and with the opportunity to post (notes, ideas, events, and other items), this will enable members to achieve greater access and will also simplify and increase the effectiveness of STEP Singapore Branch communication. Over time, the content (breadth and depth) will grow. Your comments, suggestions and contributions are always welcome.

We hope to see you at our events and would also invite those interested non-members to consider membership.

Enjoy the site and the information and services!

Bill Lexmond
President, STEP Singapore
1 August 2006

STEP Singapore has launched a cost-effective recruitment classifieds service for prospective employers within the vibrant trust industry.

For more details or to place your ads, please visit http://step.org.sg/recruitment.

To enhance interaction among members of STEP Singapore, we have launched the STEP Forum – a bulletin board that enables members to share, distribute and gain access to relevant resources on-line, and to exchange views and ideas on trust and estate practice.

• Join the Forum
• Login to the Forum
• View terms of use for the Forum
• To find out more, you can view the Frequently Asked Questions or contact webmaster@step.org.sg

Membership of STEP is obtainable only by examination or other test of professional competence, for information on membership routes click here.

We have been informed by STEP UK that all STEP members should now update their details online at www.step.org/mydetails. They have requested that we do not accept updates via email.

To login:
- Your username: is your STEP membership number (this can be found on any letters you have received from STEP and your STEP membership card)
- Your password: is your surname with a capital letter.

It is important to keep your details up to date in order to receive your STEP Journal and information on your membership, upcoming conferences and other important details.

Instructions on how to navigate the STEP website can be found here. However if you do experience difficulties please email step@step.org directly.

Tel: 31287781
(VOIP no., no country code or 6 prefix required)
Fax: +65 63299699
E-mail: secretariat@step.org.sg