A Bahamas Financial Services Board (BFSB) organized delegation supported by the Ministry of Financial Services was in Sao Paolo, Brasil on September 20 for its second [Bahamas Landfall](https://bfsb-bahamas.com/news.php?cmd=view&id=3120&pre=y) event in that country last week.
On Monday, September 17, Rio de Janeiro was the location for the first event, which included nine representatives from BFSB member firms as well as The Honourable Ryan Pinder, Minister of Financial Services, along with other government representatives.
*”The fact that BFSB is in Brazil for a second time this year with the support of the Minister of Financial Services, shows how committed The Bahamas is to maintaining its close ties with the Brazilian market,”* said Aliya Allen, BFSB’s CEO & Executive Director as she addressed those attending the Bahamas Landfall event in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. “We are confident that we provide the kinds of structures and solutions that make sense for your environment, investment strategies and clients.” She added, *”As Brazilians look for more financial assets overseas and to compliant planning for the security of those assets, more and more firms are realizing that The Bahamas is unmatched in the diversity of product options and that it is consistently improving upon them.”*
Rodrigo Fiszman from Real Assets, a Brasil-based Multi Family Office which was BFSB’s local partner for the Landfall events, reinforced this view in a presentation titled SMART Funds for Brasilian Asset Managers: The Real Assets Case Study. He told participants that his firm was very intentional in its choice of The Bahamas, because of the ease, flexibility and attractive cost of the Bahamas SMART Fund. Mr. Fiszman’s presentation was part of several covering Asset Management opportunities in The Bahamas including:
* An Overview of Fund Structures in The Bahamas by Linda D’Aguilar, Partner, Graham Thompson & Co.;
* Introducing SMART Fund 007 by Brian Jones, UBS (Bahamas) Ltd.; and,
* The Bahamas for Asset Managers by Tiffany Norris-Pilcher, Partner, Ernst & Young.
Brian Jones, who conceived the concept of the SMART Fund 007 which was refined and vetted through BFSB’s funds working group, spoke about the ease of using the new SMART Fund to access alternative investments, a trend in Brazil and in other Latin American countries. There was noticeable interest in the new SMART Fund product, with many participants indicating that they had attended the event just to hear about the new model.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Allen also addressed The Bahamas Advantage by noting “More than 80 years of thought, effort and co-operation have produced ideal conditions and a wealth of Advantages for (Ultra) High Net Worth individuals, families, businesses and asset managers in The Bahamas.”
Minister Pinder closed the Landfall event by telling participants *”The Ministry of Financial Services is determined to strengthen The Bahamas’ standing and image as a jurisdiction “open for business”, one that is widely recognized as the preeminent international financial and business centre.”*
A presentation on “Wealth Management: Advantage Bahamas” by Ivan Hooper, Chief Executive Officer, The Winterbotham Trust Company Limited and Paul Winder, Managing Director, ATC Trustees (Bahamas) Limited, concluded Landfall presentations. They said, *”Creating added value to our wealth management services is a continuous process in The Bahamas. It has led to market leading legislation for dynastic planning, succession and family governance and established The Bahamas as the wealth and asset management gateway of the Americas since the 1930. Foundations, private trust companies, the Bahamas Executive Entity, purpose trusts and SMART Funds are just some of the reasons why The Bahamas offers real wealth management advantages.*”
In addition to Landfall presenters, other Bahamas’ participants included Viana Gardiner, Ministry of Financial Services; Shawn Forbes, Pictet; Chet Neymour, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Fabien Jenny, UBS; James Malcolm, Schooner Bay; and Wendy Warren, Caystone Solutions.
Bahamas Landfall: Destination Brasil sponsors were ATC Trustees; Butterfield Bank (Bahamas) Ltd.; Ernst & Young; Graham, Thompson & Co; Grand Bahama Port Authority; Schooner Bay; Scotiatrust; and Winterbotham Trust Company.