Under the new SIV regime, effective 1 July 2015, applicants must invest a minimum of $1.5 million into emerging companies to qualify for the visa.
According to a statement by UBS, the UBS Australian Small Companies SIV Fund will offer investors "access to an actively managed, core style portfolio of small-cap securities, managed by a team of four experienced small-cap portfolio managers, who together hold over 65 years of industry experience".
The fund’s co-portfolio manager Stephen Wood said: "We are delighted to be able to offer an Australian small-cap product which has been designed specifically for clients seeking a SIV-compliant fund.
"The addition of the UBS Australian Small Companies SIV Fund aims to help eligible investors [gain] access to a solution that targets their SIV requirements while at the same time gaining access to UBS' extensive small-cap expertise and capabilities."
Bryce Doherty, head of global asset management in Australia and New Zealand, added that the fund is uniquely placed to directly cater to clients who require high-quality SIV-compliant funds.
"The launch of the fund is a prime example of UBS Global Asset Management's ability to respond quickly to market demands and regulatory changes," he said.
