Asia

ASIA - Some 86% of Asia-Pacific fund managers believe the introduction of an investment passport is important for the region, research shows.

JAPAN/US - New York-based hedge fund AIFAM aims to boost the assets in its catastrophe bond fund by five times to $150m over the next year with Japanese pension money.

JAPAN - Mizuho Global Alternative Investments aims to raise ¥100bn ($1.2bn) in three years after starting this month to help Japanese pensions invest in hedge funds.

ASIA - HSBC Global Asset Management has appointed Joanna Munro as chief executive officer of its Asia-Pacific business.

SOUTH KOREA/US - South Korea's National Pension Service said it has bought a stake in Colonial Pipeline Co, operator of the largest pipeline linking US Gulf Coast refiners and East Coast markets, to diversify its portfolio.

INDIA - A new scheme catering for workers in India's unorganised sector is looking for micro-finance loan providers to help members make their first contributions.

INDIA - Canadian, European pension funds may invest in road projects in India attracted by the higher yields than the U.S. after the nation lifted the cap on foreign investment in bonds to lure capital for infrastructure projects.

ASIA - Asian pension funds should invest more in real estate if they want to bring in enough returns to meet their liabilities, a new report shows.

JAPAN - First State Investments has opened an office in Japan and hired a new director of institutional business to help expand its reach in the institutional and pension fund market.

MALAYSIA - Malaysia's regulatory bodies are moving closer to revealing a blueprint for the implementation of a new third pillar voluntary retirement system.