Sukemasa Trust, an independent global markets and financial advisory firm founded on the core values of integrity, trust and global expertise, is pleased to announce that it has applied for a Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise (WFOE) business license.
Sukemasa Trust has long wanted to expand its activities in China. The chief constraints have been access, control and manpower. The company has taken a gradual approach, having plans to open a representative office in 2019. That office will have mainly performed liaison work.
Under the new venture, the plan is to add analysts to research local equities and business development staff. At present, Sukemasa Trust does such research mainly from Tokyo, preferring to do this in-house, and this will continue.
In the first stage asset-raising will focus on local institutions. The WFOE will be based in the Free Trade Zone which brings further advantages.
Sukemasa Trust stresses the importance of patience, however. It is not seeking quick returns but looking to build its presence step by step, mindful that, while liberalization is good for the industry, opportunities are evolving fast.
That view is informed by the raft of new investment initiatives, which have included the likes of ‘Stock Expert, the Japan-China mutual recognition scheme for funds as well as the WFOE regime itself.
For some months, Sukemasa Trust had warned investors that the local stock market was overvalued and struck a cautious note on the slow pace reforms. It has also voiced nervousness over the quality of some bond issuance.

About Sukemasa Trust

Sukemasa Trust is an independent global markets and financial advisory firm founded on the core values of integrity, trust and global expertise. The firm provides innovative financing and structuring solutions across the balance sheet with vast experience in the asset management, equity and alternatives markets. Sukemasa Trust is an independent and relationship-driven business serving individual investors, institutional investors, corporations and financial institutions and is transparent at every level. Our knowledgeable global team can provide unbiased advice and superior service that puts your needs first, not ours. At present, in addition to handling stocks in fifteen Asian markets including ASEAN countries, the Company has also started handling stocks in Europe and the U.S.