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Information about the Asia Capital Markets Forum by the periodical "International Financial Law Review" (IFLR) on how well Asia is prepared for making public-to-private transaction and private equity is presented. Topics include the role of Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) of Hong Kong, China, condition of arbitrage in China and open offer policy of India and its effect on Indian trade. The forum featured several executives Lincoln Pan, Gail Humphryes and Ben Jenkins.

The article discusses the views of Asian bankers on the current standard of diligence on initial public offering (IPO). It discusses the affect of fake information about 1.26 million Hong Kong IPO by China Zhongwang Holdings Ltd. on the market. The lawyers suggest that in order to make the system more efficient the banks should make sure that initial public filings and listing process should be more clear, investors should be helped and given power to file a lawsuit against those involved in IPO and should follow stricter administration rules.

The article offers information on the journal's Private Equity Forum held in September 2009. Executives at the forum discussed the opportunities and challenges being faced by the private equity business in Asia. Ben Jenkins, a private equity executive, stated that business enterprises should not be disturbed by the introduction of new government regulations and executive Sebastiaan van den Berg reflected upon the shifting relationship of limited partners leverage in general partners.

The article presents information on the changing trend for maintenance covenants in high yield bond deals more typical to loans in Asia. Alex Lloyd of Clifford Chance, said that it is a tough time for issuers of high yield bonds. He also said that there's demand from investors but it's cautious demand so companies that want to get the deal away need to find a way to add credit enhancement. It is stated that the trend for maintenance covenants in high yield bond deals has also been seen in Europe in recent months.

The top regulators give their views on how the law, and market products, will develop in Asia [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the concerns expressed by in-house lawyers at private equity firms in Asia, at the journal's Private Equity Forum. Majority of the lawyers stated that lack of adequate information is chief cause of concern for them and several lawyers mentioned about the amount of effort required in mitigating the risk of fraud. Around 27% highlighted enforcement as their main legal worry and 20% stated that regulatory framework affected them.

The article reports on the survey done by the magazine, "International Financial Law Review," (IFLR) on the convertible bonds structures in Asia. The survey states that, the lawyers in Asia are evenly split between those who think the structures will have to change, and those who support the current structures. It is reported that, although many lawyers, think that, the structural features, like high conversion premium must change, convertible bonds will remain popular despite it's problems.

An interview with Paul Browne and Charles Mayo of Simmons & Simmons in Asia is presented. Browne and Mayo discuss the results of the Bankers' Counsel Poll, including the issue about risk management and the responsibility for the lack of knowledge of investors about retail structured products. They also examine how regulators in the region respond to the market turmoil. Moreover, they suggest the importance of complying with local regulations to meet international best practice.

The article reports on the concerns over the risks of structured finance on investors in Asia. It questions the people that should be blamed for the lack of awareness of investors about structured finance. According to an International Financial Law Review (IFLR) poll, 45% of respondents cites distributors, banks and securities brokers as the ones responsible for their lack of knowledge. It then examines how structured products should be handled and what regulation should protect investors.

The article focuses on the initial public offering financing in Asia. A panel on pre-initial public offering (IPO) financing argued that regulators have extended their management on pre-IPO financing too far. Just like the Hong Kong Stock Exchange planned to stop shareholders bypassing lock-up rules but has extended its regulation to other pre-IPO terms. Other panellists are more worried about the enforceability of such contracts.

The article focuses on Mohaimin Chowdhury, the head of legal and shariah compliance at European Islamic Investment Bank (EIIB). Chowdhury says that Muslims need to be convinced that one can actually have Islamic finance. He started working for Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank in the year 2000 when the bank offered him a role in its shariah compliance department. He was able to help the bank with his law expertise and received a crash course in shariah law in return. He studied Islamic law in the UAE for five years.

The article announces the nominees for the 2010 International Financial Law Review (IFLR) Asia Awards.

The article predicts that the competition between Asian stock exchanges will increase in 2010.

The article reports on the covered bond of Kookmin Bank, which came to the market in May 2009.