2013-01-01
The Financial Services Commission of Mauritius issued these rules to establish a regulatory framework for recognizing foreign entities as remote custodians on licensed clearing and settlement facilities. Recognized entities must maintain a local Mauritian agent, satisfy anti-money laundering due diligence checks, and submit specified incorporation and regulatory evidence to obtain or maintain their status. The rules also prescribe applicable processing and annual fees, outline conditions for varying or withdrawing recognition, and amend existing licensing schedules to integrate remote custodians into the domestic securities market.
The text below is an internet version of the Rules made by the Financial Services Commission under Section 93 of the Financial Services Act 2007 and Section 155 the Securities Act 2005 and is for information purposes only. Whilst reasonable care has been taken to ensure its accuracy, the authoritative version is the one published in the Government Gazette of Mauritius (GN No. 245 of 2013) SECURITIES (RECOGNITION OF REMOTE CUSTODIANS) RULES 2013 ARRANGEMENT OF RULES PART I - PRELIMINARY
SECURITIES (RECOGNITION OF REMOTE CUSTODIANS) RULES 2013 FSC Rules made by the Financial Services Commission under Section 93 of the Financial Services Act 2007 and Section 155 of Securities Act 2005. PART I PRELIMINARY
“remote custodian” means an entity incorporated or registered in a foreign jurisdiction, recognized by the Commission to hold the custody of clients’ securities and to provide custodial services, and admitted to participate in the clearing and settlement of trades on behalf of its clients in a clearing and settlement facility licensed by the Commission; “remote custodian agent” means an agent appointed by a remote custodian in accordance with Rule 6. 3. Scope of the Rules These Rules shall apply to the recognition of remote custodians which shall be admitted to clear and settle trades on behalf of its clients on a clearing and settlement facility licensed by the Commission. PART II RECOGNITION OF REMOTE CUSTODIANS 4. Application for recognition (1) No remote custodian shall participate on a clearing and settlement facility unless it is duly recognized by the Commission. (2) The Commission may recognize an applicant to act as a remote custodian under such terms and conditions it deems appropriate, if it is satisfied that the applicant is exercising the functions of holding the custody of clients’ securities and providing custodial services in a jurisdiction whose regulatory framework is consistent with international best practices. (3) An application for recognition shall be accompanied by – (a) evidence that the remote custodian is regulated by a relevant foreign regulatory body;
(b) a certified true copy of the certificate of incorporation or any other evidence of registration of the applicant; (c) a certified true copy of the agreement entered into between the remote custodian and the remote custodian agent pursuant to Rule 6(2) of these Rules; (d) (i) a certificate of good standing from the relevant foreign regulatory body, where the applicant is licensed or otherwise regulated; or (ii) a statement from a lawyer authorized to practise law in the foreign jurisdiction certifying that the applicant is legally entitled under the laws of that jurisdiction to carry out the functions of holding the custody of clients’ securities and providing custodial services in that jurisdiction; (e) confirmation from the remote custodian agent that due diligence checks on the clients of the remote custodian have been conducted in accordance with the antimoney laundering and combating financing of terrorism principles applicable in the equivalent foreign jurisdiction in which the custodian is incorporated or otherwise registered; (f) confirmation from the clearing and settlement facility that due diligence checks on the remote custodian have been conducted in accordance with the anti- money laundering and combating financing of terrorism principles as applicable; (g) a copy of the agreement to be entered with the clearing and settlement facility; and (h) any other information that the Commission may deem necessary. PART III REMOTE CUSTODIAN AGENT 5. Remote custodian agent (1) A remote custodian duly recognized by the Commission shall at all times have a remote custodian agent in Mauritius who shall be a law practitioner, a qualified auditor, a Chartered Secretary or a management company.
(2) An applicant for recognition as remote custodian shall enter into an agreement with a remote custodian agent prior to applying for recognition with the Commission. 6. Functions of the remote custodian agent The remote custodian agent shall provide such services as the remote custodian may require in Mauritius, including – (a) the filing of all documents with the Commission as may be required; (b) the receiving and forwarding of any communication, notice or summons from, and to, the Commission or the clearing and settlement facility or any other party; (c) the notification, within 21 days, of any change in the beneficial ownership of the applicant, any alteration to any document submitted to the Commission or to the clearing and settlement facility by the remote custodian and any other material change; and (d) the filing of any other information which the Commission may require. PART IV MISCELLANEOUS 7. Fees An applicant for recognition as a remote custodian shall pay the applicable fees as specified in the Financial Services (Consolidated Licensing and Fees) Rules 2008. 8. Variation of the recognition The Commission may, at any time, vary the terms and conditions of the recognition as it deems fit.