QFII opens up

On 20 June 2012, the China Securities and Regulatory Commission (CSRC) started a consultation process to seek comments from the public on proposed changes to current Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (QFII) regulations. In lowering the thresholds for QFII applicants, the proposed changes will make most global asset managers eligible to apply for a QFII quota to invest directly in the PRC capital market. At the same time new rules will allow approved QFII participants to invest into the inter-bank bond market and launch QFII balanced funds as well as purely equity-focused funds. Further, the investment limit for all QFIIs collectively in a single listed company will increase to 30% from 20%. QFIIs will also be able to open trading accounts with multiple brokerages to facilitate investment. The consultation process came to an end on 5 July 2012 and it is hoped that these welcome changes will become effective very soon.