Manulife Investments Japan, the local subsidiary of Canadian financial services firm Manulife Financial, is set to launch a new investment trust fund that will focus on the Asia-Oceania regions.

The new Manulife Asia Oceania Growing Small Cap Equity Fund will be introduced in 31 July and will be publicly offered through partner sales companies, including Ace Securities, HS Securities, Ichiyoshi Securities, Kyokuto Securities, PWM Japan Securities, Rakuten Securities and SBI Securities. The initial offering period is set for 16 July to 30 July. 

The fund will invest in the Manulife Global Fund -- Asian Small Cap Equity Fund, which is domiciled in Luxembourg and invests mainly in small-cap stocks in Asian and Pacific markets. It will also invest in the Manulife Japanese Bond Index Mother fund, which deals primarily with Japanese yen-denominated public and corporate bonds.

Manulife Investments Japan said the launch is inspired by the success of the MGF Asian Small Cap Equity Fund managed by Manulife Asset Management Hong Kong, which has continued to deliver a positive performance since it began in 2006.