A rapidly growing number of investors across South Africa are looking at international opportunities., according to deVere Acuma, part of the world\u2019s largest independent financial advisory organisations.<\/p>\n
“While we deal with them (clients) on all manner of issues from retirement and pension planning to foreign exchange, there\u2019s been a striking trend over the last year,” said Gavin Smith, head of Africa at deVere Acuma.<\/p>\n
“A rapidly growing number of our clients have been increasingly telling our advisers over the past 12 months that they are becoming ever more concerned about the political and economic challenges facing South Africa and the incredible uncertainty that this creates,” Smith said.<\/p>\n
“Specifically, they tell us that they believe the primary risks for their wealth include that the South African economy is expected to remain weak for the next few years at least, the plummeting and volatile rand, the controversial land expropriation issue, the possibility of another downgrade by ratings agencies, and the increasing likelihood of at least another two tax increases next year.”<\/p>\n
In light of these factors, Smith said that investors were understandably looking at international options, such as efficient overseas property investments, to help build and safeguard their wealth.<\/p>\n
“In general, the investors flagging up these concerns are not only the uber-rich, but they are also hardworking, middle-class families looking for better protection, better returns and more flexibility,” he said.<\/p>\n