Companies formed in the Cayman Islands and other well-regulated offshore jurisdictions are key players in the international financial community and well-placed to play an important part in the recovery of the global financial markets.

International businesses with stakeholders and investors from several countries frequently have to choose where to incorporate a business entity without giving any one stakeholder a "home field advantage." For these businesses, Cayman Islands companies provide an entity with a business-friendly neutral jurisdiction, acceptable to all stakeholders, with stable political and judicial institutions and appropriate regulation, a deep reserve of local professionals, and a legal system that is well respected internationally and safeguards the rights of creditors and investors.

For example, Cayman Islands companies registered at Ugland House:

• act as investment funds for international institutional investors investing in government and sovereign debt. For example, according to U.S. Treasury figures; Cayman Islands entities are collectively one of the largest holders of U.S. sovereign and private debt instruments;
  
  
• help hedge fund and private fund equity managers based in major financial centres in the UK, the US and Asia attract and service international investors;
  
  
• help provide microfinance loan facilities to small businesses in developing countries often with the help of institutions like the World Bank or other national development aid organizations and agencies;
  
  
• enable U.S. corporations to access global markets more competitively;
  
  
• enable syndicates of international banks to make secured loans to finance power and other infrastructure projects in developing countries;
• help entrepreneurs in emerging market countries to effect initial public offerings in the international capital markets;
  
  
• assist aircraft manufacturers in the US and Europe to sell commercial aircraft to emerging-market airlines with the assistance of export-credit agencies;
  
  
• provide insurance companies and related products, such as captive insurance companies, catastrophe bonds and other alternative risk transfer products; and
  
  
• take part in the U.S. government's Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility ("TALF") program which is designed to encourage private investors to buy "toxic assets" from banks to help free up their balance sheets to allow them to recommence lending to consumers, small businesses and students in need of financial aid. One of the companies registered at Ugland House is raising capital from banks across the world to create a derivatives clearing house similar to one that President Obama recently advocated to prevent systemic risks in the derivatives market.

These transactions help support hundreds of thousands of jobs for service providers and businesses (e.g. multinational financial institutions, manufacturers, fund managers, fund administrators, paying agents, valuation agents, lawyers, audit firms etc.) based in the US, Europe and Asia who provide services and goods to international customers via Cayman Islands companies and ultimately generate taxable business activities in these countries.

The United States Government Accountability Office ("GAO") report has acknowledged and validated Maples and Calder's role in facilitating international finance and commercial activity, even citing U.S. government agencies and the World Bank as key figures that invest in Cayman Islands investment funds registered at Ugland House.

Transactions involving Cayman Islands companies create cross-border business throughout the international community and will continue to serve as a catalyst in the recovery of the international markets.