Developing Markets
Developing markets offer great opportunities as global dynamics shift, demand for their resources increases and new technologies evolve. The Loan Market Association, as the trade body for the syndicated loan market in EMEA, seeks to bring about increased efficiencies and standardisation in developing markets, whilst educating its members about the opportunities and challenges they may face when operating in these regions. Our aim in developing markets is fivefold:
- to bring about increased efficiencies and standardisation via the publication of recommended forms of developing market documentation;
- to highlight the legal and regulatory issues which have the potential to impact members working in these markets;
- to discuss any challenges (legal, political or otherwise) affecting developing markets and to lobby key decision-makers, where necessary, in an attempt to bring about constructive change;
- to provide a series of dedicated events specifically aimed at participants working in developing markets, to assist them in furthering their knowledge of these varied markets and also in understanding our developing markets documentation; and
- to consider ways to improve liquidity and facilitate investment in developing markets, by encouraging new investors to the market.
Documentation & Market Guidelines
LMA recommended documentation is widely used throughout EMEA. It has facilitated the increase in liquidity of international loan markets, has reduced documentation risk and aided members in the effective management of their loan portfolios.
All documentation is produced after extensive consultation with leading loan practitioners and law firms. LMA members have access to a comprehensive suite of loan documentation, including a suite of South African and local law documents for syndicated financing in Africa, and a suite of Developing Markets documents produced under UK law for use in developing market jurisdictions.
Education & Events
We recognise the need to provide training to our members and, in 2017, will be planning to run various education and training events in Sub-Saharan Africa, Russia and Central Eastern Europe.
Every year, we run our annual Developing Markets Conference here in London, followed by our annual East Africa Commercial Loans Conference, as well as further events in both Johannesburg and Lagos. We also hold documentation training events in Moscow, Warsaw, Prague and a number of other locations.
In the last three years, over 15,000 delegates have participated in the LMA’s Education & Events Programme, which clearly demonstrates how well respected it is within the industry. Our annual programme covers a mixture of training, seminars, conferences and certificate courses run throughout the EMEA region.