Pension fund investment conference for Byo

Economy
THE third Annual Zimbabwe Pension Funds Investment Forum is slated for April 28-29 as players in the pension industry seek access to the latest insights and analysis of best practices in pension fund management.

THE third Annual Zimbabwe Pension Funds Investment Forum is slated for April 28-29 as players in the pension industry seek access to the latest insights and analysis of best practices in pension fund management.

MTHANDAZO NYONI OWN CORRESPONDENT

A local firm MN Capital Group is organising the forum to be held at a local hotel.

MN Capital is a leading emerging markets investment, communication and research firm. It employs a network of specialists’ in delivering discretionary services to institutional investors, asset owners, fund and asset managers, corporate institutions and sovereigns.

Over 150 delegates from various pension funds in Zimbabwe, service providers to pension funds, government representatives, international experts and media are expected to grace the two-day pension indaba.

simon-khaya-moyo.
Simon Khaya Moyo

Simon Khaya Moyo, the Senior Minister of State, would deliver the keynote address as well as initial dialogue between several international and local institutions on Zimbabwe’s economic growth through pension fund investments.

According to organisers, the highly powered pension forum will also focus on long-term strategic collaboration with active stakeholders in Zimbabwe and other regions to advance developments in the industry.

“(It will) incorporate input and evaluate practical case studies from international and indigenous market with the aim of bench marking on developments, opportunities and challenges. (It will also) discuss feasible practices and innovative approaches that have the potential to make significant progress in transformation of the Zimbabwe pensions,” reads part of a statement from the organisers.

Michael Ndinisa, the group managing director of MN Capital said: “In 2011 to 2012 Zimbabwe pension funds assets for the entire industry were valued at $2,5 billion, a report by the Commissioner of Insurance, Pension and Provident Funds had shown, it is possible that the current estimate could easily be in the region of $3 to $5 billion.

“At that period, about $200 million was invested in assets outside Zimbabwe. This third annual forum will major a lot on alternative investment strategies for Zimbabwe’s pension funds, more particularly, sensitise pension funds and state reserves to diversify their investment portfolios into more innovative asset classes that could revive the Zimbabwe’s’ economy, such as infrastructure investment, agribusiness, private equity and industries.”

The forum will bring together leaders from various sectors to discuss legal, regulatory and framework; fund investment strategies; environmental, social governance consideration, fiduciary and other contemporary issues impacting the Zimbabwe pension fund industry.

The forum also seeks to identify key areas for further executive education for fund trustees; with focus on fund management, setting and monitoring investment policy, investment strategies and sustainable investing.

Other key topics to be discussed include macroeconomic policies and development, the state of Zimbabwe pension funds industry, challenges, opportunities and the future; regional economic and retirement funds in the development of capital markets; best practices in fund governance and fiduciary responsibilities; best practices in manager selection process, understanding pension funds investment risk, among other topics.