Fund Location Ireland - Attractive through Speed and Transparency

Irish funds find investors in 90 countries and Euronext Dublin is the world's leading exchange for the listing of investment funds. Ireland has arguably been one of the fastest growing fund locations in Europe in recent years. The assets of Irish-domiciled funds have grown by an impressive 64 per cent since the end of 2015 and stood at over €4.3 trillion at the end of September 2021. This is why Katja Müller, Chief Customer Officer and Managing Director of Universal Investment, is convinced of the attractiveness of the location: "Universal-Investment is one of the few providers that acts both as a fund administrator and as a management company at the three largest fund hubs in Europe. Our clients and business partners as well as employees of the Universal-Investment Group will benefit from this in the long term. The third-party ManCo business segment is growing strongly. We expect the fund market in Ireland to become more important after Brexit. So we are now offering both asset managers and institutional investors in Dublin our services around structuring, launch and administration as well as risk management for all asset classes as a quality provider."

But what makes Ireland such an interesting location for investments and related services?

Ireland presents itself to investors as a gateway to the EU and the world. It certainly helps that post-Brexit Ireland is the only country in the EU with English as a first language and also has extensive financial and cultural ties to the US. The impact of Brexit has already brought Ireland a large number of new funds and the re-registration of nearly 120 companies since 2018.

Above all, Ireland has earned a reputation for being adaptable while ensuring sufficient protection for investors. A strong regulatory foundation is certainly desirable in the fund industry, but the requirements should be clear and concise. The Irish respond quickly to changes - especially to EU or national regulations - and prove to be efficient problem solvers. The investment environment is well regulated but transparent so that innovative business cultures are not discouraged and market and product developments are not hindered. The Central Bank of Ireland as a regulator is said to act with prudence and a willingness to engage in dialogue and to use discretionary powers judiciously. With a new Investment Limited Partnerships (ILP) Act at the end of 2020, Ireland is now also equipped to invest in areas such as private equity, sustainable investments and closed-end alternative funds, which often use partnership structures.

30 years of experience in the field of funds, a consolidated legal system and integration into international structures offer stability to investors. Ireland is a member of the EU, Eurozone, OECD, the anti-money laundering institution FATF and the International Organisation of Securities Commissions IOSCO.

The Irish tax system is considered understandable and secure. Ireland has tax treaties with more than 90 countries. Funds domiciled there are exempt from corporate tax at the fund level. Non-Irish residents are not subject to Irish tax on investment gains and, in principle, no wealth, transfer or capital taxes are levied on the issue, transfer or redemption of Shares by a non-Irish resident investor. However, exceptions apply in the case of funds with interests in Irish real estate or assets relating to real estate.