Iliyas Akmaral K.

L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Kazakhstan

 

Why the growth of sovereign wealth funds                                              is attracting close attention.

 

The global financial crisis had a strong negative impact on international financial markets and the economic development of all countries led to large corporate foreign debts. There is a relation between direct dependence on global raw material market prices and the instability of global financial system. They are undermining the stability of economy significantly and threatening its further effective development.

 Sovereign wealth funds have been recognized as well-established institutional investors and important participants in the international monetary and financial system. The term sovereign wealth fund was first used in 2005. The Central Banking journal described the shift from traditional reserve management to sovereign wealth management [3].

With reference to Generally Accepted Principles and Practices (GAPP) the International Working Group of Sovereign Wealth Funds was established at a meeting of countries with SWFs, 2008, in Washington, D.C at facilitated and coordinated by the International Monetary Fund [4].

SWFs are defined as special purpose investment funds or arrangements, owned by the general government. Created by the general government for macroeconomic purposes, SWFs hold, manage, or administer assets to achieve financial objectives, and employ a set of investment strategies which include investing in foreign financial assets. The SWFs are commonly established out of balance of payments surpluses, official foreign currency operations, the proceeds of privatizations, fiscal surpluses, and receipts resulting from commodity exports.

According to GAPP definition SWF excludes, inter alia, foreign currency reserve assets held by monetary authorities for the traditional balance of payments or monetary policy purposes, operations of state-owned enterprises in the traditional sense, government-employee pension funds, or assets managed for the benefit of individuals.

According statement of generally accepted principles and practices “Santiago principles” SWF consists of three key elements:

-          Ownership: SWFs are owned by the general government, which includes both central government and subnational governments.

-          Investments: The investment strategies include investments in foreign financial assets, so it excludes those funds that solely invest in domestic assets.

-          Purposes and Objectives: Established by the general government for macroeconomic purposes, SWFs are created to invest government funds to achieve financial objectives [4].

In the results, SWFs are special purpose investment funds that are owned by the general government for macroeconomic purposes. SWFs hold, manage, or administer assets to achieve financial objectives, and use a set of investment strategies that include investing in foreign financial assets.  SWFs are a heterogeneous group, comprising fiscal stabilization funds, reserve investment corporations, savings funds, pension reserve funds without explicit pension liabilities and development funds. 

The GAPP include by the following guiding objectives for SWFs: to help maintain a stable global financial system and free flow of capital and investment; to comply with all applicable regulatory and disclosure requirements in the countries in which they invest; to invest on the basis of economic and financial risk and return-related considerations; and to have in place a transparent and sound.

Consider underlying principles and practices in different institutional, constitutional, and legal settings existing in various countries.

 According to Constitution of Republic of Kazakhstan is an unitary government that to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index 2011, Kazakhstan holds 59th position, ahead of such countries as the Czech Republic, China, Russia and Ukraine. According to rankings in The Global Competitiveness Report 2010—2011 released by the World Economic Forum, Kazakhstan holds 72nd position [1].

In response to the global economic instability of the last few years, the government introduced a stimulus package aimed at ensuring sustainability of the financial system, supporting the real estate and construction sector, as well as small and medium enterprises and agriculture and investing in innovative projects and infrastructure.

The Kazakhstan announced the creation of its own sovereign fund. A document signed on October 13, 2008, by Kazakhstan’s president Nazarbaev Nursultan officially introduced the fund (the Sovereign Wealth Fund “Samruk-Kazyna” was the merger of Joint Stock Company “Sustainable Development Fund”- “Kazyna”, and “Kazakhstan Holding for Management of State Assets”- “Samruk”.) Sovereign Wealth Fund “Samruk-Kazyna” is established in order to enhance competitiveness and sustainability of national economy and prevent any potential negative impact of changes in the world markets on economic growth of the country. SWF “Samruk-Kazyna” accumulates shares of major national companies, development institutions and social entrepreneurship corporations — more than 400 companies in total [1].

SWF “Samruk-Kazyna” is to provide maximum support to the Government of Kazakhstan, promptly and efficiently responding to the needs in attracting investments into real economy, becoming more active in the regions, strengthening inter-industry and inter-regional links and making maximum use of available advantages and opportunities [5].

According to the report by the Chairman of the Board of  - “Samruk-Kazyna”, the Fund has provided 93 percent of all investments in the energy sector nationwide, 86 percent of investments in oil refinery sphere and infrastructure, and 84 percent of the total amount of investments in chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

In 2010, the Fund has managed to complete the implementation of the governmental anti-crisis program, using 91 percent of the allocated funds or KZT 1,087.5 trillion (KZT 147 = US$ 1).

The Fund is also responsible for realization of 21 projects worth US$ 22 billion within the Program for Accelerated Industrial and Innovative Development [2].

Several reasons why the growth of sovereign wealth funds is attracting close attention.

-          As this asset pool continues to expand in size and importance, so does its potential impact on various asset markets.

-          Some countries worry that foreign investment by SWFs raises national security concerns because the purpose of the investment might be to secure control of strategically important industries for political rather than financial gain

-          Their inadequate transparency is a concern for investors and regulators. For example, size and source of funds, investment goals, internal checks and balances disclosure of relationships and holdings in private equity funds.

-          SWFs are not nearly as homogeneous as central banks or public pension funds. However they do have a number of interesting and unique characteristics in common. These make them a distinct and potentially valuable tool for achieving certain public policy and macroeconomic goals.

According to annual report 2009: 52 % of GDP of Kazakhstan (USD 75 billion), 48 major industrial companies of Kazakhstan –the Fund’s assets, 60 % of the total deposit base of the country falls to the share of the banks with the Fund’s participation. “Samruk-Kazyna”  Fund is engaged in providing the business  with a proper infrastructure, enabling the business to increase its efficiency and 157 large and strategic investment projects to the total amount of USD 109 billion – the total investment portfolio of the Fund [5].

 

References

1.      Association, Kazakhstan Foreign Investors’ Council. 2010. Success stories: foreign investors in kazakhstan ideas for potentional players. s.l. : http://www.invest.gov.kz, 2010.

2.      Gov’t Reviews Annual Report by Samruk Kazyna National Welfare Fund.2011  s.l. : www.mfa.kz, Jan 25, 2011.

3.      Rozanov, Andrew. 2005. Who holds the wealth of nations? Central Banking Journal. (May) 2005

4.      Sovereign wealth funds, International working group of sovereign. 2008.                                                  SWF Generally accepted principles and practices 'Santiago Principles'. s.l. : http://www.iwg- swf.org/pubs/eng/santiagoprinciples.pdf, 2008.

5.      Summary, executive. 2009. Strategic development priopities of SWF Samruk-Kazyna.. s.l. : www.samruk-kazyna.kz, 2009.