Santiago Principles Self-Assessment

GIC Private Limited

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  • Pillar 1: Legal
  • Pillar 2: Institutional
  • Pillar 3: Investment
Principle 1

1. The legal framework for the SWF should be sound and support its effective operation and the achievement of its stated objective(s).

1.1. The legal framework for the SWF should ensure legal soundness of the SWF and its transactions.

1.2. The key features of the SWF’s legal basis and structure, as well as the legal relationship between the SWF and other state bodies, should be publicly disclosed.

GIC’s legal framework is detailed in the Singapore Companies Act, under which GIC was incorporated in 1981. GIC is wholly owned by the Government of Singapore. An Investment Mandate from the Government to GIC sets out the terms of appointment, investment objectives, investment horizon, risk parameters and investment guidelines for managing the portfolio.

The Singapore Companies Act is available at https://sso.agc.gov.sg/

GIC’s legal relationship with the Government of Singapore is disclosed on our website and

in our Annual Reports:

https://www.gic.com.sg/news-and-resources/

Principle 6

6. The governance framework for the SWF should be sound and establish a clear and effective division of roles and responsibilities in order to facilitate accountability and operational independence in the management of the SWF to pursue its objectives.

The Investment Mandate from the Government to GIC sets out the terms of appointment, investment objectives, investment horizon, risk parameters and investment guidelines for managing the portfolio. The Government, which is represented by the Ministry of Finance in its dealings with GIC, neither directs nor interferes in GIC's investment decisions. It holds the GIC Board accountable for the overall portfolio performance.

GIC is accountable in various key areas to the President of Singapore as a Fifth Schedule company. The Constitution empowers him to obtain information to enable him to safeguard the country's reserves.

The Board is ultimately responsible for asset allocation and for the performance of the portfolio under management. It is accountable to the Government for the effective management of the reserves in accordance with the Investment Mandate.

Board committees oversee critical areas: on investment policy, risk, audit and human resources. External advisers with global experience in the investment industry serve on the investment and risk committees to provide external perspectives and ideas from their areas of expertise.

The Auditor-General, who is appointed by the President of Singapore, submits an annual report to the President and Parliament on his audit of the Government and other bodies managing public funds.

https://www.gic.com.sg/about-gic/governance/

Principle 18

18. The SWF’s investment policy should be clear and consistent with its defined objectives, risk tolerance, and investment strategy, as set by the owner or the governing body(ies), and be based on sound portfolio management principles.

18.1. The investment policy should guide the SWF’s financial risk exposures and the possible use of leverage.

18.2. The investment policy should address the extent to which internal and/or external investment managers are used, the range of their activities and authority, and the process by which they are selected and their performance monitored.

18.3. A description of the investment policy of the SWF should be publicly disclosed.

GIC’s investment policy and activities are anchored by the policy portfolio. It defines the asset classes that GIC invests in, and how it allocates funds to these asset classes. The purpose is to meet the investment return objective within the risk tolerance determined by the Government as the owner of the funds.

Investment decisions comply with prescribed guidelines and limits to ensure that they keep within the Investment Mandate from the Government. At all levels of investment decision making, the risks taken by our portfolio managers and their investment results are constantly monitored. Clear mandates are provided to internal and external managers, stating the range of their activities and authority. In addition, the independent risk and performance management department regularly monitor the portfolio’s performance, risk and asset exposures against the approved thresholds and limits.

The allocation between internal and external managers is based on the principle of best sourcing. These managers are selected for their ability to exploit investment opportunities beyond GIC’s current skill set and to complement GIC’s internal management capability.

https://www.gic.com.sg/news-and-resources/