Shanghai Launches RMB Investment Fund

21 February 2012

The Shanghai government-owned Shanghai International Group has led a group of official and private investors to establish a substantial renminbi (RMB)-denominated fund that targets the financing of Chinese corporate investment overseas.
The RMB50bn (USD7.9bn) Sailing Capital International fund, which was set up on February 16, 2012, is expected to leverage some RMB150bn of total investments, or three times its original principal, by linking with bank finance.
It is hoped that the fund will aid both institutional investors and corporates in diversifying into overseas investments, and prioritize those investments that are priced and settled in RMB, as part of the globalization of the currency. In addition, it should encourage domestic companies to look at overseas expansion, possibly through mergers and acquisition opportunities.
The fund is also being looked on as part of the stated official intention that Shanghai will be a centre for onshore RMB trading, clearing and pricing by 2015, before it becomes an international financial centre by 2020.
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Joint exploration of hydropower: Pakistan, Qatar may sign 2 MoUs

Saturday, 04 February 2012 09:00

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Qatar are likely to sign two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) according to which the two countries will jointly explore development of hydropower, identification of sources of financing, exploration of investment opportunities in energy sector, rehabilitation of existing hydropower plants and construction of National Highway and Motorway infrastructure, official sources told Business Recorder.
These MoUs, sources said, will be inked during the visit of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, scheduled for February 6-8.
They said that a draft of MoU has been prepared which will be signed between the Ministry of Water and Power and Ministry of Energy, Qatar.
The objective of this MoU is to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, which will accelerate the process of providing energy access and sustainable power and water sector development cooperation for the benefit of both countries.
The Ministry of Energy of Qatar and Pakistan’s Ministry of Water and Power will cooperate in accordance with the MoU, subject to the relevant laws of each country, to jointly explore different avenues of cooperation.  The MoU will take effect on the date of its signing and will remain in force for a period of three years, unless earlier terminated or extended by mutual consent of the two countries.
Sources said that Ministry of Water and Power has examined the MoU and supports its signing as it pertains to hydropower development through joint research, transfer of technologies and capacity building. However, for procurement or construction of projects and in order to ensure transparency, relevant rules, instructions, international competitive bidding (ICB) and PPRA Rules shall be followed.  The MoU was referred to Law Division for vetting on January 30, 2012. Since the MoU will be signed during the Prime Minister’s visit to Qatar in the first week of February, the Ministry of Law and Justice should give its opinion in the Cabinet meeting.
Sources said that to create fiscal space to fund important projects of highways and motorways another MoU is likely to be signed with Qatar on provision of financial assistance through Qatar Development Fund (QDF).  Prime Minister, sources said, is also expected to discuss Afghanistan situation with his Qatari counterpart, in addition to situation in Arab countries.
Last month, Director General  Inter Services Intelligence(ISI), Lieutenant General Shuja Pasha (retired) visited Qatar to discuss matters relating to Afghanistan after which the United States of America (USA) allowed Afghanistan-based Taliban to open their offices in Qatar, aimed at facilitating talks between Afghan government, USA , Pakistan and other stakeholders.  Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar visited Kabul last week where she held meetings with her counterpart and Afghan President Hamid Karzai and discussed different options for peaceful resolution of Afghanistan dispute. -MUSHTAQ GHUMMAN

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