Data direct from the London Stock Exchange shows that Guernsey is increasingly being used as a domicile of incorporation for Indian entities listing on AIM.
LSE figures reveal that – of those Indian entities on AIM at the end of October 2010 – the latest five to list have all been incorporated in Guernsey, including all three added during this year.
The three listed during 2010 are iEnergizer, Skil Ports & Logistics Ltd and Caparo Energy Ltd who together have a market capitalisation of more than £500 million. These are in addition to Indian Energy Ltd that listed during 2009 and also Indus Gas Ltd which listed in 2008 and has a market capitalisation of more than £800 million.
The other two Guernsey incorporated entities listed on AIM with India as a country of operation are private equity firm EIH Plc and The Indian Film Company Ltd.
Peter Niven, Chief Executive of Guernsey Finance – the promotional agency for the Island's finance industry, said: "This data from the London Stock Exchange is extremely encouraging. The trends we can see indicate that Guernsey is now viewed as the jurisdiction of choice for incorporating Indian entities listing on AIM. In addition, we can see that these entities operating principally in India and incorporated in Guernsey are – in the main – sizeable companies and also spread across a broad range of sectors including private equity, transportation, energy and film.
"This is a very positive start in developing increased financial services links between the two jurisdictions. Just over a month ago we took our first official delegation from the Island to visit government and regulatory officials and industry practitioners in both Delhi and Mumbai. We feel it was a great success and that there are plenty of opportunities for Guernsey firms to provide Indian organisations and individuals with a range of financial products and services across the investment fund, private wealth management and possibly also the captive insurance sectors.
"I am extremely pleased to see from this London Stock Exchange information that we have such a significant building block already in place. It provides great confidence that through developing and enhancing relationships we can attract further business in the future."
Mr Niven is visiting India again next week when he leads a Guernsey delegation attending the Asia Venture Capital Journal forum in Mumbai.
For more information about Guernsey's finance industry please visit www.guernseyfinance.com.
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