SEBI Updates: SEBI raises overseas investment limit of AIFs and VCFs

SEBI by issuing a Circular dated 03rd July, 2018 enhanced the overseas investment limit of Alternative Investment Fund (AIFs) and Venture Capital Fund (VCFs) to USD 750 million from the current USD 500 million

The decision has been taken in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) said in a circular. In order to monitor the utilisation of overseas investment limits, SEBI has asked AIFs and VCFs to mandatorily disclose the utilisation of the such limits within 5 working days of such usage on the regulator's intermediary portal. 

In case an alternative investment fund (AIF) or venture capital fund (VCF) has not utilised the overseas limit granted them within 6 months from SEBI's approval, the same will have to be reported within 2 working days after expiry of the validity period. 

"In case an AIF or VCF has not utilized a part of the overseas limit within the validity period, the same shall be reported within 2 working days after expiry of the validity period," the regulator noted.

Further, if an AIF or VCF wishes to surrender the overseas limit at any point of time within the validity period, the same will have to be reported within two working days from the date of decision to surrender the limit, it added. The regulator said it has decided to enhance the overseas investment limit of AIFs and VCFs to USD 750 million. 

Earlier in October 2015, the regulator had allowed overseas investment by AIFs and VCFs to the extent of USD 500 million.

AIFs are funds established or incorporated in India for the purpose of pooling in capital from Indian and foreign investors for investing as per a pre-decided policy, while VCFs are investment funds that manage the money of investors who seek private equity stakes in startups.

Copy of Circular can be accessed below:

Source: Economic Times

Share Broker Business

To carry on the business as Securities Brokers, Share and Stock brokers, finance and investment brokers, sub-brokers, underwriters, sub-underwriters and consultants for and to purchase, acquire, hold, sell, buy, invest, trade, exchange, deal, barter, borrow, lend, guarantee, offer, comfort for, pledge, hypothecate, charge and/or deal in investment instruments of all kinds and types, whether securities or not, including shares, stocks, debentures, bonds, cumulative convertible preference shares, certificates of deposits, commercial papers, participation certificates, other securities by original subscription, coupons, warrants, options and such other derivatives, and other mutual funds or any other securities issued by governments, corporations, co-operatives, firms, trusts, societies, authorities etc. whether situated in India or abroad and to carry on financial operations of all kinds including hire-purchase, leasing, credit rating, money changing’s, stock exchange membership to arrange bought out deals, to arrange placement of securities and to carry on business of management consultancy or to engage in activities such as portfolio management services, research in to various investment opportunities, or any other non-fund related activity, to be provided to venture capital funds, private equity funds, foreign institutional investors, investment funds, mutual funds, hedge funds or any other investors (whether private or public and whether local or offshore), for the purpose of investing the funds from time to time in various forms of investments in India. 

Asset Management Business

1. To acquire, hold, sell, buy or otherwise deal in any shares, units, stocks, debentures, debenture-stock, bonds, mortgages, commodities, obligations and other securities or alternative investment items by original subscription, tender, purchase, change, gift or otherwise and to subscribe for the same, either conditionally or otherwise, and to underwrite, sub-underwrite or guarantee the subscription thereof to purchase and sell the above mentioned securities and to carry on and undertake the business of asset management, portfolio management, investment advisory, research services, financial advisors, business counselors, treasury management, advisors, and to render such services to individuals, companies, corporations, trusts and other entities.
2. To carry on the activities of raising or acquiring funds for and/or managing mutual funds, venture capital funds, offshore funds, pension funds, provident funds, insurance funds, alternate investment funds, portfolio management services or any other funds, and to act as managers, consultants, advisors, administrators, attorneys, agents, or representatives of or for mutual funds, venture capital funds, offshore funds. Pension funds, provident funds, insurance funds, alternate investment funds, portfolio management services or any other funds formed or established in India or elsewhere by the Company or any other person (whether incorporated or not) or by any government, state, local authority, association, institution (whether incorporated or not) or any other agency or organization