Part of the arrangement will be employing UOB AM's thematic investing know-how in the region.

UOB Asset Management is partnering with Mirae Asset Global Investments (Hong Kong) – aka Mirae Asset – to expand its exchange-traded fund capabilities.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two companies, UOBAM will collaborate with Mirae Asset, the manager of Global X ETFs series in Hong Kong, across Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia, where UOBAM has a presence, the firms said in a statement yesterday.

Citing figures from research group ETFGI, total ETF investments in Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan) stand at $543.1 billion, with 2,467 listings on 20 exchanges as at the end of November 2021. Data from Singapore Exchange showed that total assets under management of SGX-listed ETFs increased almost 50 per cent to S$12.6 billion as at 31 December 2021, the firms said.

UOBAM will receive ETF consulting services and training from Mirae Asset, which has expertise in thematic investing and a line-up of nearly 400 ETFs globally. 

The firms will incorporate UOBAM’s insights into three megatrends in Asia: changing demographics, “go green” and the digital economy – areas which generate returns.