The primary objective of this committee is to identify and remove obstacles to free cross-border investment in the real estate sector. This committee has an important role to play in establishing the focus and effectiveness of APREA and is given a very high priority. This committee is able to comment on legislation and proposed legislation affecting the sector in all countries in the Asian/Pacific region. The committee has made a number of submissions to the Monetary Authority of Singapore and has reviewed proposed REIT legislation in Pakistan, Indonesia and India. The Hong Kong Chapter has established a task force to consider various regulatory matters. APREA has also assisted the Philippine Stock Exchange leading to the passing of the REIT Act in that country. It is also working with industry and assisting the SEC in Thailand on proposals for a new REIT law. The committee is also in dialogue with the Securities and Exchange Board of India with regard to its draft REIT law. Dialogue has also been established with regulators in various other countries including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia.

The committee established a number of task forces in response to the impact of the global financial crisis on the Japanese and Singaporean REIT markets. These task forces have developed a series of proposals for reform.