SEBI has clarified that Category 2 AIFs can invest in debt securities of both listed and unlisted companies.
SEBI also said that Category 2 AIFs are also allowed to invest in any special purpose vehicle, limited liability partnership, real estate investment trust and infrastructure investment.
SEBI noted this in an informal guidance to Blacksoil Realty Investment Advisors. The company had taken certain investment decisions based on their understating of current AIF regulations. However, the company was not sure if it was violating any provisions of the AIF regulation and had sought a clarification from the market regulator.
Among other clarifications, SEBI said that Category 2 AIFs can borrow funds only for meeting temporary funding requirements for not more than 30 days and not more than 4 occasions in a year. The borrowed amount should not exceed 10% of the investible funds. Further, SEBI said that AIFs could borrow from their managers or sponsors, provided they adhere to other applicable laws.
On Blacksoil Realty Investment Advisors query that whether there is any upper cap on investment made by manager or sponsors of the fund, SEBI said that there is no such limit.