Peter de Proft, secretary general of Efama, the European Fund and Asset Management Association, will be outlining the “Challenges ahead for the European fund industry” when he takes part in the Norwegian Fund and Asset Management Association’s (VFF’s) annual forum for local fund investors.
Taking place on 30 March, the event will also provide an update on the management of the country’s sovereign wealth fund – the so-called oil fund, that invests on behalf of the government the royalties earned from the oil and gas sector – via Egil Matsen, deputy governor of Norges Bank. This will concern asset owners in other jurisdictions because of the size of the fund, some NOK7.8trn (€851bn), and its ongoing shift into asset classes such as property. NBIM, Norges Bank Investment Management, has a mandate to invest up to 7% of the fund into unlisted property. Last year it invested NOK19.1bn (€2.1bn) in such assets.
The event will also see discussion on climate change. This past week US president Donald Trump signed a so-called Executive Order, to limit regulations relating to climate change put in place by the former US administration. The discussion in Oslo will be led by Anne Kvam of DNV GL
Kristin Halvorsen of Cicero, Fredrik Nordström of Fondbolagens Förening (the Swedish Investment Fund Association) and Lars Erik Moen of Danske Capital.
Norway’s regulations around investment savings accounts will be tackled by Egil Herman Sjursen of Holberg Fondene, Alexander Opstad of DNB
Pål Bergskaug of Skagen, and John-Arne Haugerud of VPS.
Investors will also hear thoughts on how digitalisation and new technology will affect customers in future. Christian Brosstad, head of communication and digital services at Forbrukerrådet, the Norwegian consumer body that is part of a network of European Consumer Centres, will put his thoughts forward on how developments may affect investors.
VFF noted in late February that January net inflows to funds hit a monthly high not seen since 2014 (http://www.investmenteurope.net/regions/swedendenmarkfinlandnorway/norwegian-monthly-inflows-hit-new-high/ ) .
And in January this year, DNB outlined reasons why it sees the oil sector driving Nordic high yield assets through 2017 (http://www.investmenteurope.net/regions/swedendenmarkfinlandnorway/dnb-oil-nordic-high-yield/ ).
