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New policy expected to spur more investment overseas

A new policy on mainland firms investing overseas will encourage more developers and institutional investors to venture abroad, property consultants say.

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Chinese developer Advanced Business Parks has signed a deal to develop a derelict plot of land next to London's City Airport to build the city's third financial district. Photo: Reuters

A new policy on mainland firms investing overseas will encourage more developers and institutional investors to venture abroad, property consultants say.

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The National Development Reform Commission released on April 10 a new policy on administrative procedures that simplifies the application process and relaxes the thresholds for requiring national-level approval.

The threshold for requiring NDRC approval has been raised to US$1 billion from the US$30 million in the previous policy on overseas investment, which dates from 2004.

The threshold for requiring State Council approval has been raised to US$2 billion from US$200 million.

"It is an encouraging step for mainland firms wishing to invest offshore. It is in line with the central government's 'going abroad' policy," said Carlby Xie, head of China research at Colliers International.

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Colliers' latest research report shows the total value of the mainland's outbound investment in property - not including Hong Kong and Macau - has grown continuously from about US$69 million in 2008 to more than US$16 billion last year.

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