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South Africa accounts for less than 1% of global economic activity and our economy remains more volatile than the established markets of the USA, Europe and Japan.  As an emerging market, South Africa is sensitive to international events and slowdowns in global growth. 

Our currency has therefore tended to fluctuate significantly against developed markets' currencies.  As long as South African inflation remains higher than that of developed markets, offshore assets in developed countries can provide a long-term hedge against local inflation.  By diversifying your investments around the world, you reduce the overall risk of loss should the South African market perform poorly.

These are just a few of the factors that may influence your decision to focus offshore.

Investment options

There are essentially two options available to local investors seeking offshore diversification. 

• The first method is to obtain Reserve Bank approval to invest in foreign currency, using your individual offshore allowance (currently R2 million). 
• The second method is to use an investment company's offshore allowance, known as an asset-swap.

For more information on investing offshore: 

• Click here to download a brochure on Glacier's offshore solutions (PDF, 490Kb)
• Click here to download a brochure on Glacier's Global Collection (PDF, 366Kb)
• Click here to download a brochure on Glacier's Endowment and Sinking Fund Policies with asset-swap capacity (PDF, 417Kb)
• Click here for our fees (PDF, 102Kb)
• Click here for our asset-swap fees (PDF, 110Kb)
• Contact an intermediary now

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