Offshore investments
Treasury is to increase the prudential limits on offshore investments for funds under management by institutional investors — by five percentage points for all categories, including the allowance for investments in Africa.
The limits for collective investment schemes, investment managers and long-term insurers will rise to 40% from 35%; and for non-linked long-term insurers and retirement funds to 30% from 25%.
An additional allowance is available to all institutional investors for investment in Africa and this is increased from 5% to 10%.
The limit for so-called holding companies has also been increased. Transfers to holding entities will be increased from R2bn to R3bn for listed entities; and from R1bn to R2bn for unlisted companies, both subject to Reserve Bank reporting requirements. The aim of the holding company regime is to facilitate direct investment by South African companies into Africa from a domestic base.
Treasury has also given notice that it will release a paper later this year on a proposed policy framework for the review and approval of complex cross-border transactions.