| INVESTMENTS
Generally the
Fund has investments in the following areas:
1.
Properties:
These include several office blocks, commercial
and industrial properties, which are being let out competitively.
These include: Kopje Plaza, Runhare House (Tel.One HQ), Causeway Building, OK Bazaars HQ etc. The Fund has an 18%
interest in the Joina Centre. The Joina Centre is an upmarket
property which when completed will have office and retail
space with three basements which can accommodate 500 cars.
The property is expected to be completed during 2010. The
delay on completion of this project, which has taken over 10 years,
was caused by shortage of foreign currency. The Fund will
continue to explore opportunities in the Property sector to
hedge against inflation.
2. Money
Market Assets:
These involve a variety of money market
instruments held with the various financial institutions.
This portfolio is reviewed daily to ensure the best returns.
Currently the Fund’s money market portfolio is predominantly
made up of Treasury Bills, these are gilt edged securities
issued by the Central Bank. The move to invest predominantly
in Treasury Bills was necessitated by the Financial services
sector crisis of 2003 which resulted in a number of Financial
institutions folding.
3. Statutory
Stock:
These are prescribed assets which the Fund is
required by law to hold which currently stands at 35% of total
assets. Through the Zimbabwe Association of Pension Funds
the Fund is also negotiating for a reduction of the ratio
held to enable better exposure to more profitable instruments.
4.
Equities:
The Fund participates in both quoted and unquoted
shares on a selective basis. The returns from this type of investment
have been generally good over the last 10years. Over the last 10
years the returns from this asset class have more than surpassed
inflation.
The Fund generally
uses the Active Portfolio Management strategy. This strategy involves
buying and selling of shares on a continual basis to take advantage
of share price volatility. To counter the negative effects of inflation
on investments the Fund through the Zimbabwe Association of Pension
Funds is involved in negotiating with the government to be granted
permission to invest outside the country.
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