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The Capital Markets Efficiency Act is a pale shadow of the originally proposed reforms to end the federal/state dual regulation of securities issues and cut litigation by large institutions. By David Bernstein of Rogers & Wells, New York

US firm White & Case is providing advice to the South African government on restructuring the telecommunications sector in the country. The firm is also advising the local telecoms monopoly, Telkom SA, in preparation for the sale of 30% of its equity to a foreign company.

Accounting firm Arthur Andersen has added two new scalps to its rapidly expanding law firm association. Even though the firm has yet to decide what the office will be called, the planned Andersen-associated Hong Kong office has poached Julia Charlton, formerly a Hong Kong-based partner at UK firm Simmons & Simmons. She joins Justin Ede, who has moved from Garrett & Co in London.

The contract for Laibin B, China's first 100% wholly foreign-owned build-operate-transfer (BOT) power plant, was formally agreed in Beijing on November 11 1996. Under the HK$4.57 billion (US$600 million) contract, GEC Alsthom, an Anglo-French engineering group, and Electricite de France (EDF) will jointly control the company undertaking the contract. EDF will hold a 60% stake and GEC, 40%. The project is scheduled to be completed sometime after 1999, whereupon EDF and GEC will operate the power plant to recoup their investment before the power plant reverts to the Guanxi government at the end of the term.

International firms are increasing their ambitions in Italy. At the same time, Italian firms are looking to expand abroad.

Switzerland has amended its rules to compete with the attractive Luxembourg regime. By Filippo Beck of Wenger Mathys Plattner, Zurich and Basle, with the assistance of Christina Amgwerd-Sheaff and Jlona Caduff

For the first time, Austria's bar association rules are being called into question and competition is likely to arrive soon. Austrian firms are preparing for mergers to face that competition. By Samantha Wigham

Glass-Steagall has not been reformed. But the Federal Reserve's proposed reforms to Regulation Y and the rules for Section 20 companies could side-step the limits. By Robert Bostrom and George Seeberger of Winston & Strawn, New York

Decree 1295 of 1996, enacted by the Colombian Government on July 24, approved several modifications to the international investment regime. The decree simplifies and expedites procedures and requirements in this area.

Resolution No. 58/3/96 of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank concerning the regulation of finance companies (Resolution 58) was promulgated under the authority set forth in Articles 114 to 119 of the Central Bank Law, which pertain to Financial Corporations (mu'assasat maliyyah). Article 114 of the Central Bank Law defines Financial Corporations as those institutions whose principal functions are to extend credit, to carry out financial transactions, to take part in the financing of existing or planned projects, to invest in movable property and such other functions as may be specified by the Central Bank. Financial Corporations may not accept funds in the form of deposits but may borrow from their head offices, from local and foreign banks, or from financial markets.