Asian investors are increasingly looking at European ETFs (exchange traded funds), says Christopher Friese, head of Asia, Lyxor ETF at Société Générale who shared his insights at The Asset 4th ETF Asia Summit in Taipei.

"The main investors in Asia looking at European ETFs are multi-asset investment teams. They want the asset allocation," says Friese at the summit. "The clear shift is towards Asian and European ETFs."

An event poll taken at this year's ETF summit revealed that ETF value was the most important factor for 71% of summit participants in their choice of European ETF. This was followed by volatility.

Regarding the outlook for European ETFs, over half of participants had a positive outlook for the asset class.

According to Friese, growing Asian investor interest in Europe can be a game changer for European ETF providers. There are around 50 ETF providers in the European region. "Europe is the most competitive ETF market in the world more than the United States," he shares.

In terms of ETF development in Asia, Friese says that Asia has some way to go. Despite the introduction of inverse and active ETFs in several markets in Asia such as South Korea and Taiwan "Asia is five to six years behind Europe", he adds.