Asia

SINGAPORE - Institutional investors may soon receive preliminary prospectuses, used to ascertain the level of market interest in securities, if the securities and futures bill is passed.

JAPAN - Japan Investor Relations and Investor Support (J-IRIS), a subsidiary of Mizuho Securities, the investment banking arm of Mizuho Financial Group, has entered the institutional investor market.

INDIA - ING Vysya Life Insurance has entered the Indian life insurance sector.

ASIA/PACIFIC - Deutsche Asset Management (DeAM) funds under management are set to increase from A$140bn to A$170bn following the recent deal with Zurich Scudder (Zurich).

KOREA - The Korean ministry of finance said it will invest KRW4.6trn ($3.55bn) in investment trust companies to boost their liquidity.

KOREA - Plans for a third major pension scheme in Korea will be realised by mid-2002 when the government introduces the Corporate Pension Fund, a private sector fund for Korean companies.

KOREA - Korean investment trust companies have suggested that the government takes funds from major parastatals to counter the effects of poor market conditions.

THAILAND - The $3bn Government Pension Fund (GPF) in Thailand is considering tendering for a consultant. Although the fund currently uses an in-house team of advisors, the management board is deciding whether a consultant will add value.

KOREA - Swiss fund manager Zurich Scudder Investments (ZSI) is expanding operations in Korea by launching a new unit, Zurich Scudder Investments Korea.

SINGAPORE - Corporate governance is becoming a major driver in Singapore's economic competitiveness, according to finance minister Richard Hu.