Investing in Australian and Canadian Listed Companies: A New Path for Resources/Property Acquisitions in Africa

The 3rd annual China Overseas Investment Fair (Fair) was held on 8th and 9th November. The Fair is the largest event of its kind in China and aims to promote overseas investment by PRC entities as well as to provide a platform for officials, investors and professionals to network regarding outbound investments from China. More than 1,100 Chinese enterprises and governmental agencies attended the Fair.

TransAsia assisted the Fair's host, the China Overseas Investment Association under the NDRC (Association), to co-organize a forum entitled "Investing in Australian and Canadian Listed Companies: A New Path for Resources/Property Acquisitions in Africa" with Freehills, Torys, Ernst & Young, BMO Capital Markets and Government Relations Australia Asia. 

The seminar focused on investments into Africa via ASX and TSX listed companies, key aspects of M&A transactions involving African assets, regulatory and legal issues, and tax considerations relating to investments in Australia. It was attended by over 100 SOEs delegates, government representatives and other industry players. Speakers included:

• Hon Martin Ferguson AM MP, Minister for Resources and Energy; Minister for Tourism of Australia
• Hon Dr Olusegun Aganga, Minister of Trade and Investment of Nigeria
• Hon John S Dawkins AO, Director of GRA Asia; Former Senior Minister of Finance & Trade of Australia
• Guo Lian, President of the Shanghai branch of China Development Bank
• Jesse TH Chang, Managing Partner of TransAsia Lawyers
• Egizio Bianchin, Vice Chair and the Global Co-Head of BMO Capital Markets
• Laura Wu, Ernst & Young
• Andrew Choy, Ernst & Young
• John Tivey, partner, Freehills International Lawyers
• Justin Little, partner, Freehills International Lawyers
• Gemey Visscher, partner, Freehills International Lawyers
• Michael Amm, partner, Torys LLP
• Philip Brown, partner, Torys LLP
• Ron Deyholos, partner, Torys LLP