The Cook Islands Financial Services Development Authority (Cook Islands Finance), flew the Cook Islands flag at the 19th Annual International Estate Planning Institute held in New York. The annual event attracted nearly 260 lawyers and estate planners from around the United States and the globe.
As a key event sponsor, FSDA hosted an exhibition booth which provided access to business and networking opportunities with some of the largest firms in the global estate planning industry.
“The Cook Islands Government acknowledges the need to invest in economic diversity. The trust industry has been a key economic contributor for 40 years, bringing in NZ$4.4million in revenue to the Cook Islands Government through registration fees and taxes in 2022.” stated Tony Fe’ao, the CEO of Cook Islands Finance. ”It was one of the few industries that continued to provide revenue to the government during the Covid-19 pandemic.”
“As the Government agency tasked to promote and develop the financial services, it is important to showcase ourworld-class asset protection laws and trustee services at events and conferences, and provide a platform for trust companies to connect with business leads and opportunities and in-turn – grow the Cook Islands economy.”
Fe’ao was joined in New York by 3 experienced legal practitioners – Tine Ponia of Asiaciti Trust Cook Islands, Marcos Almeida for Southpac and Jenner Davis from Trustees & Fiduciaries Cook Islands.
Tine Ponia, the Managing Director at Asiaciti Trust Cook Islands, who was on a strategic visit to the United States to engage with clients and explore potential trust business opportunities, joined the Cook Islands team at the conference.
“The International Estate Planning Institute was an excellent opportunity to connect with wealth and estate planners from around the world and across the United States. Having Cook Islands Finance there with its booth provided the springboard for conversations about the Cook Islands as a jurisdiction and the financial services products that we offer.”
“I was very proud to talk about the strength of our laws and the depth of our judiciary which provide the comfort clients and referrers alike need to do business with the Cook Islands.”
Jenner Davis, former CEO of Cook Islands Finance, who now resides in Upstate New York, was a welcome addition to the team. “The US is a key client market for the Cook Islands finance industry. It’s important that the Cook Islands has a presence at industry events in the US to demonstrate our continued commitment to serving that market “
Cook Islands based trust company Southpac was present at the conference, with Head of Legal and Client Services Marcos Almeida flying into New York to support the Cook Islands effort. “The support provided by the FSDA has been excellent.” Almeida stated. “Having a table at the conference allowed representatives to engage with clients and promote the Cook Islands industry.”
With over 80% of Cook Islands trust business coming from the United States, the FSDA will continue to build on the momentum in the US at the upcoming Outbound USA Summit in May, with trust companies and other financial service providers welcome to join.
