The funds are part of the firm's plans to grow its operation within Latin America.

Chilean regulator Comision Clasificadora de Riesgo has approved eight sub-funds of the Manulife Global Fund for distribution to institutional investors in the country. Manulife Asset Management is the investment manager of the sub-funds.

Manulife has begun marketing the funds through a distribution partnership forged earlier this year with financial industry firm Banchile Administradora General de Fondos, the firm said in a statement.

The approved sub-funds of the Manulife Global Fund are: American Growth Fund, Asian Equity Fund, Asian Small Cap Equity Fund, Dragon Growth Fund, Global Equity Fund, Healthcare Fund, India Equity Fund, and US Bond Fund.

"We are pleased to have obtained approval from Chilean regulators and are moving ahead to provide investment solutions through our UCITS fund platform," said Frank Saeli, head of distribution, US & Latin America at Manulife AM. “Manulife Asset Management has made a strong commitment to serving institutional clients in Chile, and we look forward to a long and productive partnership with Banchile AGF, one of the country's leading financial institutions.” 

Manulife Asset Management last year appointed Diana Stockwell as head of Latin American sales and relationship management, as part of the expansion of its global business footprint.