New EU legal traps for Asian issuers

For about 40 years, Europe has been host to the Eurobond market largely centred in London. Of major significance to the Eurobond market is the fact that the regulatory regime governing issuers of securities in the European Union (EU) will radically change within the next 18 months or so. Through its Financial Services Action Plan, the European Commission hopes to create an integrated European market for financial services aimed at facilitating capital raising for companies throughout the EU whilst at the same time reinforcing protection for investors. Key measures under the Financial Services Action Plan include: