Asset management firm relies on local expertise to do business in Labuan.

Takumi Asset Management is a specialist hedge fund management company based in Singapore, which handles all aspects of fund management: from analysing funds to providing hands-on money management and trading. In 2012, the company established a subsidiary in Labuan, a Federal Territory of Malaysia, to help clients capitalise on the growth opportunities in the territory’s financial services sector.

A key challenge with this move was that the company did not have any employees on the ground in Labuan, or other contacts with in-depth knowledge of the local rules and regulations. It needed support from a partner who not only had the expertise to help it set up business in Labuan, but who could also provide ongoing in-country business support to help it maintain its fund manager licence.

TMF Group helped Takumi set up business in Labuan, and now provides Takumi with ongoing help in maintaining and complying with the requirements for holding the Labuan Fund Manager licence. It also helps Takumi with all of its corporate secretarial needs, including visa applications, work permits, employment issues and even finding office space.

TMF Group provides us with step-by-step guidance on what we need to do, which we really appreciate. For example, its experts remind us when we need to submit required applications and reports, and they provide us with solutions if we inadvertently make any errors.