The Hindu Business Line : FWI plans to organise mutual fund event

Here is news for those who wanted to know more about the future of mutual funds in India but were afraid to ask. They will be able to shoot their questions at the best and the brightest of fund experts, courtesy Funds World India (FWI), an event being organised in Mumbai later this year.

Pointing out that both 2004 and 2005 were good years for the Indian economy, the FWI organisers have feted what they call is the "burgeoning funds market," one that has already seen inflows of a huge scale.

FWI will be part of a marathon series that has so far touched 15 major cities for over a decade.

The event is being pitched for a host of probable participants - fund managers, investors, service providers - entities that may well need insights into a range of critical issues. These will include regulatory reforms, distribution, technological developments and products.

Talking of products, it is learnt that the wares to be analysed will include private equity, bonds and "alternatives" - exchange-traded funds, real estate investment trusts, and hedge funds.

Pensions will constitute a key aspect as well, especially given the Government's stated intention on ensuring pension reforms. Two other major areas, insurance and private banking, will also assume significance during the FWI.

India, seen as growing at a fast pace, has already witnessed significant gains on the stock market. Against this background, FWI will assess the opportunities present in this country against those in China, its main rival in Asia.

"Asian markets have had a turbulent few years and as we finally enter a bull market, investors and managers are wondering where to turn to maximise the returns they have come to expect," FWI organisers said.

While certain Asian markets (Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan) have reached a certain maturity, India "still has a lot to offer fund managers."

Financial institutions see a mix of economic fundamentals, a strong political system, an educated population with high savings rates, and a large market, it is pointed out.