Magazine Description

In this issue

For many companies that are operating in competitive markets in the current economic circumstances, a cardinal goal is to preserve cashflow and maintain profits. These companies still want to retain key employees who will be essential to keep the business running during the downturn, in order to be able to emerge wielding a competitive advantage. These two goals superficially seem to antagonize one another, as one way of preserving cashflow is to decrease employees’ salaries. One way in which companies can seek to achieve both the preservation of cashflow and the retention of motivated employees is through a salary sacrifice arrangement, where the employee agrees to give up some of their salary in return for a benefit. Equity in the company is a powerful retention tool, and can be offered to employees as the benefit in exchange for a salary sacrifice - “sweat equity”. In a timely fashion, this edition of Court Uncourt opens up a window to avail of this valuable tool, just as it gains traction in India vis-a-vis an amendment issued by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. While newspapers are being churned out with each headline more disheartening than the next, STA recognizes the intrinsic value of hope. This commitment to rebuilding and restoration is reflected in this edition’s articles on the promising Abu Dhabi Global Market, and India’s transparent, capital-friendly Alternative Investment Fund Regulations. Thank you, and we hope you have an insightful read!