Macau Grants First Fund Licence Under New Investment Law

Macau has issued its first fund investment licence under its new Investment Fund Law to HOPU Investments, allowing the Beijing-based alternative investment firm to establish an asset management unit in the city.

The Macau fund licence approval comes nearly five months after the law took effect on Jan. 1, introducing a new framework for private funds and structures including collective investment companies and limited partnership funds.

Before the legislation, asset management activity in Macau was mainly conducted through traditional institutions such as banks.

HOPU Investments, which manages more than USD15bn in assets, said the law introduces significant market changes by aligning Macau more closely with international regulatory standards and strengthening investor protections.

The development forms part of Macau’s broader efforts to diversify beyond gaming and build a more internationally recognised financial services and alternative investment sector.

Market participants believe the framework could help attract additional private capital and cross-border investment activity into the city.