G T INVESTMENT FUNDS INC
485BPOS, 1997-10-30
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<PAGE>
   
    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 30, 1997
    
                                                              FILE NOS. 33-19338
                                                                       811-05426
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
                             ---------------------
 
                                   FORM N-1A
 
            REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
   
                        POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 49
    
                                                                          /X/
 
                                      AND
        REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 50
    
                                                                          /X/
 
                            ------------------------
 
                          G.T. INVESTMENT FUNDS, INC.
               (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER)
 
                       50 CALIFORNIA STREET, 27TH FLOOR,
                        SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94111
              (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE)
              REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE:
                                 (415) 392-6181
 
                            ------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                              <C>
            MICHAEL A. SILVER, ESQ.                        ARTHUR J. BROWN, ESQ.
             CHANCELLOR LGT ASSET                         R. DARRELL MOUNTS, ESQ.
               MANAGEMENT, INC.                          KIRKPATRICK & LOCKHART LLP
       50 CALIFORNIA STREET, 27TH FLOOR               1800 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE, N.W.,
        SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94111                          2ND FLOOR,
    (NAME AND ADDRESS OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)                WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036
                                                               (202) 778-9000
</TABLE>
    
 
                            ------------------------
 
    IT IS PROPOSED THAT THIS FILING WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE:
 
    / /  IMMEDIATELY UPON FILING PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (b) OF RULE 485
 
   
    /X/  ON NOVEMBER 1, 1997 PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (b) OF RULE 485
    
 
    / /  60 DAYS AFTER FILING PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (a)(1) OF RULE 485
 
    / /  ON                 PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (a)(1) OF RULE 485
 
    / /  75 DAYS AFTER FILING PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (a)(2) OF RULE 485
 
   
    / /  ON                     PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (a)(2) OF RULE 485
    
 
    / / THIS  POST-EFFECTIVE  AMENDMENT DESIGNATES  A NEW  EFFECTIVE DATE  FOR A
        PREVIOUSLY FILED POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT.
 
PURSUANT TO RULE  24f-2 UNDER THE  INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT  OF 1940, AS  AMENDED,
REGISTRANT HAS PREVIOUSLY ELECTED TO REGISTER AN INDEFINITE NUMBER OF ITS SHARES
OF  COMMON STOCK. A RULE 24f-2 NOTICE FOR REGISTRANT'S FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER
31, 1996, WAS FILED ON DECEMBER 27, 1996.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                          G.T. INVESTMENT FUNDS, INC.
                             CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
            BETWEEN ITEMS ENUMERATED IN FORM N-1A AND THIS AMENDMENT
                       PROSPECTUS -- CLASS A AND CLASS B
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM NO. OF
PART A OF FORM N-1A                                      CAPTIONS IN PROSPECTUS
- ---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>
1.  Cover Page...................  Cover Page
2.  Synopsis.....................  Prospectus Summary
3.  Condensed Financial
    Information..................  Financial Highlights
4.  General Description of
    Registrant...................  Investment Objectives and Policies; Risk Factors; Management;
                                   Other Information
5.  Management of the
    Fund.........................  Management
5A. Management's Discussion of
    Fund Performance.............  See Annual Report
6.  Capital Stock and Other
    Securities...................  Dividends, Other Distributions and Federal Income Taxation; Other
                                   Information
7.  Purchase of Securities Being
    Offered......................  Alternative Purchase Plan; How to Invest; How to Make Exchanges;
                                   Calculation of Net Asset Value; Management
8.  Redemption or
    Repurchase...................  Alternative Purchase Plan; How to Redeem Shares; Calculation of
                                   Net Asset Value
9.  Pending Legal
    Proceedings..................  Not applicable
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                     PROSPECTUS -- ADVISOR CLASS
 
ITEM NO. OF
PART A OF FORM N-1A                                      CAPTIONS IN PROSPECTUS
- ---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>
1.  Cover Page...................  Cover Page
2.  Synopsis.....................  Prospectus Summary
3.  Condensed Financial
    Information..................  Financial Highlights
4.  General Description of
    Registrant...................  Investment Objectives and Policies; Risk Factors; Management;
                                   Other Information
5.  Management of the Fund.......  Management
5A. Management's Discussion of
    Fund Performance.............  See Annual Report
6.  Capital Stock and Other
    Securities...................  Dividends, Other Distributions and Federal Income Taxation; Other
                                   Information
7.  Purchase of Securities Being
    Offered......................  How to Invest; How to Make Exchanges; Calculation of Net Asset
                                   Value; Management
8.  Redemption or Repurchase.....  How to Redeem Shares; Calculation of Net Asset Value
9.  Pending Legal Proceedings....  Not applicable
</TABLE>
    
 
<PAGE>
                          G.T. INVESTMENT FUNDS, INC.
                             CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
            BETWEEN ITEMS ENUMERATED IN FORM N-1A AND THIS AMENDMENT
 
           STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -- CLASS A AND CLASS B
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM NO. OF
PART B OF FORM N-1A                         CAPTIONS IN STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- ---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>
10. Cover Page...................  Cover Page
11. Table of Contents............  Table of Contents
12. General Information and
    History......................  Cover Page; Additional Information
13. Investment Objectives and
    Policies.....................  Investment Objectives and Policies;
                                   Investment Limitations; Options, Futures and Currency Strategies;
                                   Risk Factors; Execution of Portfolio Transactions
14. Management of the
    Registrant...................  Directors and Executive Officers; Management
15. Control Persons and Principal
    Holders of Securities........  Directors and Executive Officers; Management
16. Investment Advisory and Other
    Services.....................  Management; Additional Information
17. Brokerage Allocation and
    Other Practices..............  Execution of Portfolio Transactions
18. Capital Stock and Other
    Securities...................  Not applicable
19. Purchase, Redemption and
    Pricing of Securities Being
    Offered......................  Valuation of Fund Shares; Information Relating to
                                   Sales and Redemptions
20. Tax Status...................  Taxes
21. Underwriters.................  Management
22. Calculation of Performance
    Data.........................  Investment Results
23. Financial Statements.........  Financial Statements
</TABLE>
 
<PAGE>
                          G.T. INVESTMENT FUNDS, INC.
                             CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
            BETWEEN ITEMS ENUMERATED IN FORM N-1A AND THIS AMENDMENT
 
              STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -- ADVISOR CLASS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM NO. OF
PART B OF FORM N-1A                         CAPTIONS IN STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- ---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>
10. Cover Page...................  Cover Page
11. Table of Contents............  Table of Contents
12. General Information and
    History......................  Cover Page; Additional Information
13. Investment Objectives and
    Policies.....................  Investment Objectives and Policies;
                                   Investment Limitations; Options, Futures and Currency Strategies;
                                   Risk Factors; Execution of Portfolio Transactions
14. Management of the
    Registrant...................  Directors and Executive Officers; Management
15. Control Persons and Principal
    Holders of Securities........  Directors and Executive Officers; Management
16. Investment Advisory and Other
    Services.....................  Management; Additional Information
17. Brokerage Allocation and
    Other Practices..............  Execution of Portfolio Transactions
18. Capital Stock and Other
    Securities...................  Not applicable
19. Purchase, Redemption and
    Pricing of Securities Being
    Offered......................  Valuation of Fund Shares; Information Relating to
                                   Sales and Redemptions
20. Tax Status...................  Taxes
21. Underwriters.................  Management
22. Calculation of Performance
    Data.........................  Investment Results
23. Financial Statements.........  Financial Statements
</TABLE>
 
<PAGE>
                          G.T. INVESTMENT FUNDS, INC.
                      CONTENTS OF POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT
 
THIS POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT OF G.T. INVESTMENT
FUNDS, INC. CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS:
 
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>        <C>
Facing Sheet
Cross-Reference Sheet
Contents of Post-Effective Amendment
Part A        --      Prospectus
                      -- GT Global Developing Markets Fund
              --      Prospectus -- Advisor Class
                      -- GT Global Developing Markets Fund
Part B        --      Statement of Additional Information
                      -- GT Global Developing Markets Fund
              --      Statement of Additional Information -- Advisor Class
                      -- GT Global Developing Markets Fund
Part C        --      Other Information
Signature Page
Exhibits
<FN>
- ------------------------
*  The currently effective prospectuses and statements of additional information
  for each of the following  series of the Registrant  are not affected by  this
  Amendment:  GT Global Strategic Income Fund, GT Global Government Income Fund,
  GT Global  High Income  Fund,  GT Global  Telecommunications Fund,  GT  Global
  Health  Care Fund, GT Global Financial Services Fund, GT Global Infrastructure
  Fund, GT  Global  Natural Resources  Fund,  GT Global  Consumer  Products  and
  Services Fund, GT Global Emerging Markets Fund, GT Global Latin America Growth
  Fund,  GT Global Growth &  Income Fund, GT Global  Currency Fund and GT Global
  Small Companies Fund.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                         PROSPECTUS -- NOVEMBER 1, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND (the "Fund") primarily seeks long-term capital
appreciation. Its secondary investment objective is income, to the extent
consistent with seeking capital appreciation. The Fund normally invests
substantially all of its assets in issuers in the developing (or "emerging")
markets of Asia, Europe, Latin America and elsewhere. A majority of the Fund's
assets ordinarily is invested in emerging market equity securities. The Fund
also invests in emerging market debt securities, which are selected based on
their potential to provide a combination of capital appreciation and current
income. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment
objectives.
    
 
The Fund is managed by Chancellor LGT Asset Management, Inc. (the "Manager").
The Manager and its worldwide affiliates are part of Liechtenstein Global Trust,
a provider of global asset management and private banking products and services
to individual and institutional investors.
 
   
The Fund is designed for long-term investors and not as a trading vehicle. The
Fund does not represent a complete investment program, nor is it suitable for
all investors. The Fund may invest significantly in equity and high yield, high
risk ("lower quality") debt securities that are predominantly speculative.
Investments of this type are subject to a greater risk of loss of principal and
interest. The Fund's investments in securities of issuers in developing markets
involves special considerations and risks that are not typically associated with
investments in securities of issuers in the United States or in other more
established markets. Investors should carefully assess the risks associated with
an investment in the Fund.
    
 
This Prospectus sets forth concisely information an investor should know before
investing and should be read carefully and retained for future reference. A
Statement of Additional Information, dated November 1, 1997, has been filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and, as supplemented or amended
from time to time, is incorporated herein by reference. The Statement of
Additional Information is available without charge by writing to the Fund at 50
California Street, 27th Floor, San Francisco, California 94111, or by calling
(800) 824-1580. It is also available, along with other related materials, on the
SEC's Internet web site (http://www.sec.gov).
 
FUND SHARES ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR ENDORSED OR GUARANTEED BY,
ANY BANK, NOR ARE THEY FEDERALLY INSURED OR OTHERWISE PROTECTED BY THE FEDERAL
DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER AGENCY.
 
An investment in the Fund offers the following advantages:
 
/ / Access to Securities Markets Around the World
 
/ / Professional Management by a Leading Manager with Offices in the World's
    Major Markets
 
/ / Low $500 Minimum Investment
 
/ / Alternative Purchase Plan
 
/ / Automatic Dividend and Other Distribution Reinvestment at No Additional
    Sales Charge
 
/ / Exchange Privileges with the Corresponding Classes of the Other GT Global
    Mutual Funds
 
/ / Reduced Sales Charge Plans
 
/ / Dollar Cost Averaging Program
 
/ / Automatic Investment Plan
 
/ / Systematic Withdrawal Plan
 
/ / Portfolio Rebalancing Program
 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CALL
 
(800) 824-1580 OR CONTACT YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISER.
 
[LOGO]
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
THESE  SECURITIES HAVE NOT  BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED  BY THE SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION  PASSED
   ON  THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.      ANY REPRESENTATION
                     TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                               Prospectus Page 1
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
- ------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              Page
                                                                                            ---------
<S>                                                                                         <C>
Prospectus Summary........................................................................          3
Financial Highlights......................................................................          6
Alternative Purchase Plan.................................................................          7
Investment Objectives and Policies........................................................          8
Risk Factors..............................................................................         14
How to Invest.............................................................................         19
How to Make Exchanges.....................................................................         26
How to Redeem Shares......................................................................         27
Shareholder Account Manual................................................................         29
Calculation of Net Asset Value............................................................         30
Dividends, Other Distributions and Federal Income Taxation................................         31
Management................................................................................         33
Other Information.........................................................................         36
</TABLE>
    
 
                               Prospectus Page 2
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
- ------------------------------------------------------------
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information appearing in the body of this Prospectus.
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>                               <C>
The Fund:                                         The  Fund  is  a non-diversified  series  of  G.T. Investment  Funds,  Inc. (the
                                                  "Company").
Investment Objectives:         The Fund's  primary  investment  objective  is  long-term  capital
                               appreciation;  its secondary  objective is  income, to  the extent
                               consistent with seeking capital appreciation.
Principal Investments:         The Fund ordinarily invests a  majority of its assets in  emerging
                               market  equity securities and  also may invest  in emerging market
                               debt securities.
Principal Risk Factors:        There is no assurance  that the Fund  will achieve its  investment
                               objectives.  The Fund's net asset  value per share will fluctuate,
                               reflecting fluctuations  in  the  market value  of  its  portfolio
                               holdings.
                               The  Fund invests  in foreign  securities. Investments  in foreign
                               securities  involve  risks  relating  to  political  and  economic
                               developments abroad and the differences between the regulations to
                               which  U.S. and  foreign issuers  are subject.  Individual foreign
                               economies also may differ favorably  or unfavorably from the  U.S.
                               economy.  Changes in  foreign currency exchange  rates will affect
                               the Fund's  net  asset  value,  earnings,  and  gains  and  losses
                               realized  on sales of securities.  Securities of foreign companies
                               may be less liquid  and their prices more  volatile than those  of
                               securities of comparable U.S. companies. The Fund normally invests
                               substantially  all of its  assets in issuers  in emerging markets.
                               Such investments entail greater risks than investing in issuers in
                               developed markets.
                               The Fund  may  engage in  certain  foreign currency,  options  and
                               futures transactions to attempt to hedge against the overall level
                               of  investment and  currency risk  associated with  its present or
                               planned investments. Such transactions  involve certain risks  and
                               transaction costs.
                               The value of debt securities held by the Fund generally fluctuates
                               inversely  with interest rate  movements. Certain investment grade
                               debt securities may  possess speculative qualities.  The Fund  may
                               invest  in below investment grade  debt securities. Investments of
                               this type are subject to a  greater risk of loss of principal  and
                               interest.
                               See "Investment Objectives and Policies" and "Risk Factors."
Investment Manager:            The  Manager is part of Liechtenstein  Global Trust, a provider of
                               global asset management and private banking products and  services
                               to   individual  and   institutional  investors,   entrusted  with
                               approximately $86  billion in  total assets  as of  September  30,
                               1997.  The Manager  and its worldwide  asset management affiliates
                               maintain investment offices in  Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London,  New
                               York,  San Francisco,  Singapore, Sydney,  Tokyo and  Toronto. See
                               "Management."
Alternative Purchase Plan:     Investors may  select Class  A or  Class B  shares of  the  Fund's
                               common  stock, each subject to  different expenses and a different
                               sales charge structure.
  Class A Shares:              Offered at  net  asset  value plus  any  applicable  sales  charge
                               (maximum is 4.75% of public offering price) and subject to service
                               and distribution fees at the annualized rate of up to 0.50% of the
                               average daily net assets of the Class A shares.
</TABLE>
    
 
                               Prospectus Page 3
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
                                  (Continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>                               <C>
  Class B Shares:              Offered  at net asset  value (a maximum  contingent deferred sales
                               charge of 5% of the shares' net asset value at time of purchase or
                               sale (whichever is  less) is imposed  on certain redemptions  made
                               within  six years of date of  purchase) and subject to service and
                               distribution fees at  the annualized rate  of up to  1.00% of  the
                               average daily net assets of the Class B shares.
Shares Available Through:      Class  A and Class  B shares are  available through broker/dealers
                               that have entered into agreements  to sell shares with the  Fund's
                               distributor,  GT Global,  Inc. ("GT  Global"). Shares  also may be
                               acquired directly through GT Global or through exchanges of shares
                               of the other GT Global Mutual Funds, which are open-end management
                               investment companies advised and/or  administered by the  Manager.
                               See "How to Invest" and "Shareholder Account Manual."
Exchange Privileges:           Shares  of a class  of the Fund  may be exchanged  without a sales
                               charge for shares of  the corresponding class  of other GT  Global
                               Mutual Funds. See "How to Make Exchanges" and "Shareholder Account
                               Manual." A redemption fee may apply on exchanges of Class A shares
                               out of the Fund. See "How to Redeem Shares -- Redemption Fee."
Redemptions:                   Shares may be redeemed either through broker/dealers or the Fund's
                               transfer  agent,  GT  Global  Investor  Services,  Inc. ("Transfer
                               Agent"). See  "How  to  Redeem Shares"  and  "Shareholder  Account
                               Manual."
Redemption Fee:                The  Fund  will deduct  and retain  a 2%  redemption fee  from the
                               proceeds of all redemptions of Class A shares acquired as a result
                               of the reorganization of G.T. Global Developing Markets Fund, Inc.
                               into the Fund.  The redemption  fee will  be imposed  on all  such
                               redemptions made before May 1, 1998. See "How to Redeem Shares."
Dividends and Other            Dividends  and other distributions from net investment income, and
  Distributions:               net short-term capital gain, net  capital gain and net gains  from
                               foreign currency transactions, if any, are paid annually.
Reinvestment:                  Dividends  and other distributions may be reinvested automatically
                               in Fund  shares of  the distributing  class or  in shares  of  the
                               corresponding  class  of other  GT Global  Mutual Funds  without a
                               sales charge.
First Purchase:                $500 minimum ($100 for individual retirement accounts ("IRAs") and
                               reduced amounts for certain other retirement plans).
Subsequent Purchases:          $100 minimum ($25 for IRAs  and reduced amounts for certain  other
                               retirement plans).
Net Asset Value:               Quoted  daily for Class  A shares and expected  to be quoted daily
                               for Class B shares in the financial section of most newspapers.
Other Features:
  Class A Shares:              Letter of Intent                  Dollar Cost Averaging Program
                               Quantity Discounts                Automatic Investment Plan
                               Right of Accumulation             Systematic Withdrawal Plan
                               Reinstatement Privilege           Portfolio Rebalancing Program
  Class B Shares:              Reinstatement Privilege           Systematic Withdrawal Plan
                               Dollar Cost Averaging Program     Portfolio Rebalancing Program
                               Automatic Investment Plan
</TABLE>
    
 
                               Prospectus Page 4
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
                                  (Continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
SUMMARY OF INVESTOR COSTS. The expenses and maximum transactions costs
associated with investing in the Class A and Class B shares of the Fund are
reflected in the following tables (1).
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                         CLASS A      CLASS B
                                                                                                       -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                                                    <C>          <C>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION COSTS (2):
  Maximum sales charge on purchases of shares (as a % of offering price).............................       4.75%         None
  Sales charges on reinvested distributions to shareholders..........................................        None         None
  Maximum deferred sales charge (as a % of net asset value at time of purchase or sale, whichever is
    less)............................................................................................        None         5.0%
  Redemption charges (3).............................................................................        2.0%         None
  Exchange Fees:
    -- On first four exchanges each year.............................................................        None         None
    -- On each additional exchange...................................................................        $7.50       $7.50
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (4):
  (AS A % OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS)
  Investment management and administration fees......................................................       0.98%        0.98%
  12b-1 distribution and service fees (5)............................................................       0.50%        1.00%
  Other expenses (after estimated waivers)...........................................................       0.52%        0.52%
                                                                                                       -----------  -----------
Total Fund Operating Expenses........................................................................       2.00%        2.50%
                                                                                                       -----------  -----------
                                                                                                       -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
    
 
HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE OF EFFECT OF EXPENSES:
 
An investor would have directly or indirectly paid the following expenses at the
end of the periods shown on a $1,000 investment in the Fund, assuming a 5%
annual return:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            ONE    THREE   FIVE     TEN
                                                                                            YEAR   YEARS   YEARS   YEARS
                                                                                            ----   -----   -----   -----
<S>                                                                                         <C>    <C>     <C>     <C>
Class A Shares (6)........................................................................  $67    $108    $151    $271
Class B Shares:
    Assuming a complete redemption at end of period (7)...................................  $77    $111    $157    $286
    Assuming no redemption................................................................  $26    $ 79    $135    $286
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------
   
(1) THESE TABLES ARE INTENDED TO ASSIST INVESTORS IN UNDERSTANDING THE VARIOUS
    COSTS AND EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH INVESTING IN THE FUND. Long-term
    shareholders may pay more than the economic equivalent of the maximum
    front-end sales charges permitted by National Association of Securities
    Dealers, Inc. rules regarding investment companies. THE "HYPOTHETICAL
    EXAMPLE" IS NOT A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES. THE FUND'S
    ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE MORE OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN. The tables and the
    assumption in the example of a 5% annual return are required by regulations
    of the SEC applicable to all mutual funds. The 5% annual return is not a
    prediction of and does not represent the Fund's projected or actual
    performance.
    
 
(2) Sales charge waivers are available for Class A and Class B shares, and
    reduced sales charge purchase plans are available for Class A shares. The
    maximum 5% contingent deferred sales charge on Class B shares applies to
    redemptions during the first year after purchase; the charge generally
    declines by 1% annually thereafter, reaching zero after six years. See "How
    to Invest."
 
   
(3) The Fund will deduct and retain a 2% redemption fee from the proceeds of all
    redemptions of Class A shares acquired as a result of the reorganization of
    G.T. Global Developing Markets Fund, Inc. into the Fund. The redemption fee
    will be imposed on all such redemptions before May 1, 1998. See "How to
    Redeem Shares."
    
 
   
(4) Expenses are estimated based on the fees and expenses the Fund is expected
    to incur during its initial fiscal year as an open-end fund and the
    Manager's and GT Global's undertaking to limit the Fund's expenses
    (exclusive of brokerage commissions, taxes, interest and extraordinary
    expenses) to the annual rate of 2.00% and 2.50% of the average daily net
    assets of the Fund's Class A shares and Class B shares, respectively.
    Without waivers, "Other expenses" and "Total Fund Operating Expenses" are
    estimated to be 0.65% and 2.13%, respectively, for Class A shares and 0.65%
    and 2.63%, respectively, for Class B shares. "Other expenses" include
    custody, transfer agent, legal and audit fees and other operating expenses.
    See "Management" herein and in the Statement of Additional Information for
    more information. The Fund also offers Advisor Class shares to certain
    categories of investors. See "Alternative Purchase Plan." Advisor Class
    shares are not subject to 12b-1 distribution and service fees.
    
 
   
(5) Reflects maximum level of fees authorized for each Class under the Fund's
    Rule 12b-1 distribution plans. The actual level of fees may be lower.
    
 
   
(6) Assumes payment of maximum sales charge by the investor.
    
 
   
(7) Assumes payment of the applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
    
 
                               Prospectus Page 5
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
The table below provides condensed financial information concerning income and
capital changes for one share of G.T. Global Developing Markets Fund, Inc. (the
"Predecessor Fund") for the periods shown. This information is supplemented by
the financial statements and accompanying notes appearing in the Statement of
Additional Information. The financial information in the table below has been
audited by Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent accountants. The Predecessor
Fund was a closed-end investment company whose single class of shares traded on
the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). On October 31, 1997, the Fund, which had
no previous operating history, acquired the assets and assumed the liabilities
of the Predecessor Fund. On that date, all shareholders of the Predecessor Fund
received Class A shares of the Fund. The fees and expenses of the Fund will
differ from those of the Predecessor Fund. The Fund's fiscal year end will be
October 31, rather than December 31, which was the Predecessor Fund's fiscal
year end.
    
 
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
            (SUCCESSOR TO G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.)
 
   
  (For the entire period shown, the Predecessor Fund operated as a closed-end
                    investment company traded on the NYSE.)
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   YEAR ENDED        JANUARY 11, 1994
                                                                SIX MONTHS        DECEMBER 31,        (COMMENCEMENT
                                                                   ENDED      --------------------  OF OPERATIONS) TO
                                                               JUNE 30, 1997    1996       1995     DECEMBER 31, 1994
                                                               -------------  ---------  ---------  ------------------
<S>                                                            <C>            <C>        <C>        <C>
Per Share Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period.........................    $   13.84    $   11.60  $   12.44      $    15.00
                                                               -------------  ---------  ---------      ----------
Income from investment operations:
  Net investment income......................................         0.20         0.53       0.72            0.35
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments.....         1.35         2.19      (0.84)          (2.46)
                                                               -------------  ---------  ---------      ----------
    Net increase (decrease) from investment operations.......         1.55         2.72      (0.12)          (2.11)
                                                               -------------  ---------  ---------      ----------
Distributions to shareholders:
  From net investment income.................................           --        (0.48)     (0.72)          (0.35)
  From net realized gain on investments......................           --           --         --           (0.10)
                                                               -------------  ---------  ---------      ----------
    Total distributions......................................           --        (0.48)     (0.72)          (0.45)
                                                               -------------  ---------  ---------      ----------
Net asset value, end of period...............................    $   15.39    $   13.84  $   11.60      $    12.44
                                                               -------------  ---------  ---------      ----------
                                                               -------------  ---------  ---------      ----------
Total investment return (based on net asset value)(a)........        11.20%+      23.59%     (0.95)%         (14.07    )%+
 
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period (in 000's).........................  $   560,599    $ 504,012  $ 422,348  $      452,872
  Ratio of net investment income to average net assets.......         2.75%++      4.07%      6.33%           2.75%++
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
  With expense reductions....................................         1.82%++      1.82%      1.77%           2.01%++
  Without expense reductions.................................         1.85%++      1.85%      1.80%           2.01%++
Portfolio turnover rate......................................          217%++       138%        75%             56%
Average commission rate per share paid on portfolio
 transactions................................................  $    0.0019    $  0.0022        N/A             N/A
<FN>
- ------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
+   Not annualized
 
++  Annualized
 
N/A Not Applicable
 
   
(a) Total investment return does not include sales charges and differs from the
    Predecessor Fund's total investment return based on market value.
    
 
                               Prospectus Page 6
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                           ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE PLAN
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE CLASSES. The primary difference between the two classes
of the Fund's shares offered through this Prospectus lies in their sales charge
structures and ongoing expenses, as summarized below. Class A and Class B shares
represent the same interests in the Fund and have the same rights, except that
each class bears the separate expenses of its Rule 12b-1 distribution plan and
has exclusive voting rights with respect to such plan, and each class has a
separate exchange privilege. See "Management" and "How to Make Exchanges." Each
class has distinct advantages and disadvantages for different investors, and
investors should choose the class that better suits their circumstances and
objectives.
 
   
CLASS A SHARES. Class A shares are sold at net asset value plus an initial sales
charge of up to 4.75% of the public offering price imposed at the time of
purchase. This initial sales charge is reduced or waived for certain purchases.
Purchases of $500,000 or more must be for Class A shares. Class A shares bear
annual service and distribution fees of up to 0.50% of the average daily net
assets of that class.
    
 
CLASS B SHARES. Class B shares are sold at net asset value with no initial sales
charge at the time of purchase. Therefore, the entire amount of an investor's
purchase payment is invested in the Fund. Class B shares bear annual service and
distribution fees of up to 1.00% of the average daily net assets of that class,
and Class B shareholders pay a contingent deferred sales charge of up to 5% of
the lesser of the original purchase price or the net asset value of such shares
at the time of redemption. The higher service and distribution fees paid by the
Class B shares should cause that class to have a higher expense ratio and to pay
lower dividends per share than Class A shares.
 
FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN CHOOSING A CLASS OF SHARES. In deciding which class of
shares to purchase, investors should consider the foregoing factors as well as
the following:
 
INTENDED HOLDING PERIOD. Over time, the cumulative expense of the 1.00% annual
service and distribution fees on the Class B shares will approximate or exceed
the expense of the applicable 4.75% maximum initial sales charge plus the 0.50%
service and distribution fees on the Class A shares. For example, if net asset
value remains constant, the Class B shares' aggregate service and distribution
fees would be equal to the Class A shares' initial maximum sales charge and
service and distribution fees approximately nine years after purchase.
Thereafter, Class B shares would experience higher cumulative expenses.
Investors who expect to maintain their investment in the Fund over the long-term
but do not qualify for a reduced initial sales charge might elect the Class A
initial sales charge alternative because the indirect expense to the shareholder
of the accumulated service and distribution fees on the Class B shares
eventually will exceed the initial sales charge paid by the shareholder plus the
indirect expense to the shareholder of the accumulated distribution fees of
Class A shares. Class B investors, however, enjoy the benefit of permitting all
their dollars to work from the time the investments are made. Any positive
investment return on this additional invested amount would partially or wholly
offset the higher annual expenses borne by Class B shares. Because the Fund's
future returns cannot be predicted, however, there can be no assurance that such
a positive return will be achieved.
 
Finally, Class B shareholders pay a contingent deferred sales charge if they
redeem during the first six years after purchase, unless a sales charge waiver
applies. Investors expecting to redeem during this period should consider the
cost of the applicable contingent deferred sales charge in addition to the
annual Class B service and distribution fees, as compared with the cost of the
applicable initial sales charge and the annual service and distribution fees
applicable to the Class A shares.
 
REDUCED SALES CHARGES. Class A share purchases of $50,000 or more and Class A
share purchases made under the Fund's reduced sales charge plans may be made at
a reduced initial sales charge. See "How to Invest" for a complete list of
reduced sales charges applicable to Class A purchases.
 
WAIVER OF SALES CHARGES. The entire initial sales charge on Class A shares is
waived for certain eligible purchasers, and these purchasers' entire purchase
price would be immediately invested in the Fund. Investors eligible for complete
initial sales
 
                               Prospectus Page 7
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
charge waivers should purchase Class A shares. The contingent deferred sales
charge is waived for certain redemptions of Class B shares. A 1% contingent
deferred sales charge is imposed on certain redemptions of Class A shares on
which no initial sales charge was assessed.
 
Investors should understand that the contingent deferred sales charge on the
Class B shares and the initial sales charge on the Class A shares are both
intended to compensate GT Global and selling broker/dealers for their
distribution services. Broker/dealers may receive different levels of
compensation for selling a particular class of shares.
 
See "How to Invest," "How to Redeem Shares," and "Management" for a more
complete description of the initial and contingent deferred sales charges,
service fees and distribution fees for Class A and Class B shares and
"Dividends, Other Distributions and Federal Income Taxation" and "Calculation of
Net Asset Value" for other differences between these two classes.
 
   
ADVISOR CLASS SHARES. Advisor Class shares are offered through a separate
prospectus to (a) trustees or other fiduciaries purchasing shares for employee
benefit plans that are sponsored by organizations that have at least 1,000
employees; (b) any account with assets of at least $10,000 if (i) a financial
planner, trust company, bank trust department or registered investment adviser
has investment discretion over such account, and (ii) the account holder pays
such person as compensation for its advice and other services an annual fee of
at least .50% on the assets in the account; (c) any account with assets of a
least $10,000 if (i) such account is established under a "wrap fee" program and
(ii) the account holder pays the sponsor of such program an annual fee of at
least .50% on the assets in the account; (d) accounts advised by one of the
companies composing or affiliated with Liechtenstein Global Trust; and (e) any
of the companies composing or affiliated with Liechtenstein Global Trust.
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                             INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES
                                  AND POLICIES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
The Fund's primary investment objective is long-term capital appreciation; its
secondary objective is income, to the extent consistent with seeking capital
appreciation. The Fund normally invests substantially all of its assets in
issuers in the developing (or "emerging") markets of Asia, Europe, Latin America
and elsewhere. A majority of the Fund's assets ordinarily are invested in
emerging market equity securities. The Fund may invest in the following types of
equity securities: common stock, preferred stock, securities convertible into
common stock, American Depository Receipts, Global Depository Receipts, rights
and warrants to acquire such securities and substantially similar forms of
equity with comparable risk characteristics. The Fund may also invest in
emerging market debt securities that will be selected based on their potential
to provide a combination of capital appreciation and current income.
    
 
For purposes of the Fund's operations, emerging markets consist of all countries
determined by the Manager to have developing or emerging economies and markets.
These countries generally include every country in the world except the United
States, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and most countries located in
Western Europe. See "Investment Objectives and Policies" in the Statement of
Additional Information for a complete list of all the countries that the Fund
does not currently consider to be emerging markets.
 
For purposes of the Fund's policy of normally investing substantially all of its
assets in issuers in
 
                               Prospectus Page 8
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
emerging markets, the Fund will consider investment in the following emerging
markets:
 
<TABLE>
<S>               <C>            <C>
  Algeria         Hong Kong      Peru
  Argentina       Hungary        Philippines
  Bolivia         India          Poland
  Botswana        Indonesia      Portugal
  Brazil          Israel         Republic of
  Bulgaria        Ivory Coast    Slovakia
  Chile           Jamaica        Russia
  China           Jordan         Singapore
  Colombia        Kazakhstan     Slovenia
  Costa Rica      Kenya          South Africa
  Cyprus          Lebanon        South Korea
  Czech           Malaysia       Sri Lanka
   Republic       Mauritius      Swaziland
  Dominican       Mexico         Taiwan
   Republic       Morocco        Thailand
  Ecuador         Nicaragua      Turkey
  Egypt           Nigeria        Ukraine
  El Salvador     Oman           Uruguay
  Finland         Pakistan       Venezuela
  Ghana           Panama         Zambia
  Greece          Paraguay       Zimbabwe
</TABLE>
 
Although the Fund considers each of the above-listed countries eligible for
investment, it will not be invested in all such markets at all times. Moreover,
investing in some of those markets currently may not be desirable or feasible,
due to the lack of adequate custody arrangements for the Fund's assets, overly
burdensome repatriation and similar restrictions, the lack of organized and
liquid securities markets, unacceptable political risks or for other reasons.
 
   
As used in this Prospectus, an issuer in an emerging market is an entity (1) for
which the principal securities trading market is an emerging market, as defined
above, (2) that (alone or on a consolidated basis) derives 50% or more of its
total revenues from business in emerging markets, provided that, in the
Manager's view, the value of such issuer's securities will tend to reflect
emerging market developments to a greater extent than developments elsewhere, or
(3) organized under the laws of, or with a principal office in, an emerging
market.
    
 
   
In selecting investments, the Manager seeks to identify those countries and
industries where economic and political factors, including currency movements,
are likely to produce above-average growth rates over the long term. The Manager
seeks those emerging markets that have strongly developing economies and in
which the markets are becoming more sophisticated. The Manager then invests in
those companies in such countries and industries that it believes are best
positioned and managed to take advantage of these economic and political
factors. The Manager believes that the issuers of securities in emerging markets
often have sales and earnings growth rates that exceed those in developed
countries and that such growth rates may in turn be reflected in more rapid
share price appreciation.
    
 
   
As opportunities to invest in securities in other emerging markets develop, the
Fund expects to expand and further broaden the group of emerging markets in
which it invests. In some cases, investments in debt securities could provide
the Fund with access to emerging markets in the early stages of their economic
development, when equity securities are not yet generally available or, in the
Manager's view, do not yet present an acceptable investment alternative. While
the Fund generally is not restricted in the portion of its assets that may be
invested in a single region, under normal conditions its assets will be invested
in issuers in at least four countries, and it will not invest more than 25% of
its assets in issuers in one country. The Fund's holdings of any one foreign
currency together with securities denominated in or indexed to such currency
will not exceed 40% of its assets.
    
 
   
INVESTMENTS IN DEBT SECURITIES. The Fund may invest up to 50% of its total
assets in the following types of emerging market debt securities: (1) debt
securities issued or guaranteed by governments, their agencies,
instrumentalities or political subdivisions, or by government owned, controlled
or sponsored entities, including central banks (collectively, "Sovereign Debt"),
including Brady Bonds; (2) interests in issuers organized and operated for the
purpose of restructuring the investment characteristics of Sovereign Debt; (3)
debt securities issued by banks and other business entities; and (4) debt
securities denominated in or indexed to the currencies of emerging markets. Debt
securities held by the Fund may take the form of bonds, notes, bills,
debentures, bank debt obligations, short-term paper, loan participations,
assignments and interests issued by entities organized and operated for the
purpose of restructuring the investment characteristics of any of the foregoing.
There is no requirement with respect to the maturity or duration of debt
securities in which the Fund may invest.
    
 
There is no limitation on the percentage of the Fund's assets that may be
invested in debt securities that are rated below investment grade. Investment in
below investment grade debt securities involves a high degree of risk and can be
speculative. These debt securities are the equivalent of high yield, high risk
bonds, commonly known as "junk
 
                               Prospectus Page 9
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
   
bonds." Debt securities in which the Fund will invest may not be rated; if
rated, it is expected that such ratings will be below investment grade. See
"Risk Factors -- Risks Associated with Debt Securities" and "-- Risks Associated
with Below Investment Grade Debt Securities."
    
 
   
The Fund may invest in "Brady Bonds," which are debt restructurings that provide
for the exchange of cash and loans for newly issued bonds. Brady Bonds have been
issued by the countries of Albania, Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Costa Rica,
Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Mexico, Nigeria, Panama, Peru,
Philippines, Poland, Uruguay, Venezuela and Vietnam, and are expected to be
issued by other emerging market countries. As of the date of this Prospectus,
the Fund is not aware of the occurrence of any payment defaults on Brady Bonds.
Investors should recognize, however, that Brady Bonds do not have a long payment
history. In addition, Brady Bonds are often rated below investment grade.
    
 
   
The Fund may invest in either collateralized or uncollateralized Brady Bonds.
U.S. dollar-denominated collateralized Brady Bonds, which may be fixed rate par
bonds or floating rate discount bonds, are collateralized in full as to
principal by U.S. Treasury zero coupon bonds having the same maturity as the
bonds. Interest payments on such bonds generally are collateralized by cash or
securities in an amount that, in the case of fixed rate bonds, is equal to at
least one year of rolling interest payments or, in the case of floating rate
bonds, initially is equal to at least one year's rolling interest payments based
on the applicable interest rate at the time of issuance and is adjusted at
regular intervals thereafter.
    
 
Capital appreciation in debt securities may arise as a result of a favorable
change in relative foreign exchange rates, relative interest rate levels and/or
the creditworthiness of issuers.
 
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
 
TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE STRATEGIES. In the interest of preserving shareholders'
capital, the Manager may employ a temporary defensive investment strategy for
the Fund if it determines such a strategy to be warranted due to market,
economic or political conditions. Under a defensive strategy, the Fund may hold
cash (U.S. dollars, foreign currencies or multinational currency units) and/or
invest any portion or all of its assets in high quality money market instruments
of U.S. or foreign issuers. In addition, for temporary defensive purposes, most
or all of the Fund's investments may be made in the United States and
denominated in U.S. dollars. To the extent the Fund adopts a temporary defensive
posture, it will not be invested so as to directly achieve its investment
objectives. In addition, pending investment of proceeds from new sales of Fund
shares or in order to meet ordinary daily cash needs, the Fund may hold cash
(U.S. dollars, foreign currencies or multinational currency units) and may
invest in foreign or domestic high quality money market instruments.
 
BORROWING AND REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. In connection with meeting requests
for the redemption of Fund shares, the Fund may borrow from banks or may borrow
through reverse repurchase agreements. The Fund also may borrow up to 5% of its
total assets for temporary or emergency purposes other than to meet redemptions,
but total borrowings may not exceed 33 1/3% of its total assets. However, the
Fund will not purchase securities while borrowings in excess of 5% of its total
assets are outstanding. Any borrowing by the Fund may cause greater fluctuation
in the value of its shares than would be the case if it did not borrow.
 
A reverse repurchase agreement is a borrowing transaction in which the Fund
transfers possession of a security to another party, such as a bank or
broker/dealer, in return for cash and agrees to repurchase the security in the
future at an agreed-upon price that includes an interest component.
 
   
SECURITIES LENDING. The Fund may lend its portfolio securities to broker/dealers
or to other institutional investors. Securities lending allows the Fund to
retain ownership of the securities loaned and, at the same time, enhances the
Fund's total return. The Fund limits its loans of portfolio securities to an
aggregate of 30% of the value of its total assets, measured at the time any such
loan is made. While a loan is outstanding, the borrower must maintain with the
Fund's custodian collateral consisting of cash, U.S. government securities or
certain irrevocable letters of credit equal to at least 100% of the value of the
borrowed securities plus any accrued interest or such other collateral as
permitted by the Fund's investment program and regulatory agencies, and as
approved by the Board. The risks in lending portfolio securities, as with other
extensions of secured credit, consist of possible delays in receiving additional
collateral or in recovery of the securities and possible loss of rights in the
collateral if the borrower fails financially.
    
 
OPTIONS, FUTURES AND FORWARD CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS. To attempt to increase
return, the
 
                               Prospectus Page 10
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
Fund may write call options on securities. This strategy will be employed only
when, in the opinion of the Manager, the size of the premium the Fund receives
for writing the option is adequate to compensate it against the risk that
appreciation in the underlying security may not be fully realized if the option
is exercised. The Fund also is authorized to write put options to attempt to
enhance return, although it does not currently intend to do so.
 
The Fund may also use forward currency contracts, futures contracts, options on
securities, options on currencies, options on indices and options on futures
contracts to attempt to hedge against the overall level of investment and
currency risk normally associated with its investments. These instruments are
often referred to as "derivatives," which may be defined as financial
instruments whose performance is derived, at least in part, from the performance
of another asset (such as a security, currency or an index of securities). The
Fund may enter into such instruments up to the full value of its portfolio
assets. See "Options, Futures and Currency Strategies" in the Statement of
Additional Information.
 
To attempt to hedge against adverse movements in exchange rates between
currencies, the Fund may enter into forward currency contracts for the purchase
or sale of a specified currency at a specified future date. Such contracts may
involve the purchase or sale of a foreign currency against the U.S. dollar or
may involve two foreign currencies. The Fund may enter into forward currency
contracts either with respect to specific transactions or with respect to its
portfolio positions. The Fund also may purchase and sell put and call options on
currencies, futures contracts on currencies and options on such futures
contracts to hedge its portfolio against movements in exchange rates.
 
Only a limited market, if any, currently exists for options and futures
transactions relating to currencies of most emerging markets, to securities
denominated in such currencies or to securities of issuers domiciled or
principally engaged in business in such emerging markets. To the extent that
such a market does not exist, the Manager may not be able to effectively hedge
its investment in such markets.
 
In addition, the Fund may purchase and sell put and call options on equity and
debt securities to hedge against the risk of fluctuations in the prices of
securities held by the Fund or that the Manager intends to include in the Fund's
portfolio. The Fund also may purchase and sell put and call options on stock
indices to hedge against overall fluctuations in the securities markets or in a
specific market sector.
 
Further, the Fund may sell index futures contracts and may purchase put options
or write call options on such futures contracts to protect against a general
market or a specific market sector decline that could adversely affect the
Fund's portfolio. The Fund also may purchase index futures contracts and
purchase call options or write put options on such contracts to hedge against a
general market or market sector advance and thereby attempt to lessen the cost
of future securities acquisitions. Similarly, the Fund may use interest rate
futures contracts and options thereon to hedge the debt portion of its portfolio
against changes in the general level of interest rates.
 
INVESTMENT IN OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES OR VEHICLES. The Fund may be able to
invest in certain countries solely or primarily through governmentally
authorized investment vehicles or companies. Pursuant to the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), the Fund generally may invest up to
10% of its total assets in the aggregate in shares of other investment companies
and up to 5% of its total assets in any one investment company, as long as each
investment does not represent more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of
the acquired investment company at the time of investment.
 
Investment in other investment companies may involve the payment of substantial
premiums above the value of their portfolio securities and multiple layering of
fees and expenses and is subject to limitations under the 1940 Act and market
availability. The Fund does not intend to invest in other investment companies
unless, in the judgment of the Manager, the potential benefits of such
investment justify the payment of any applicable premium or sales charge. As a
shareholder in another investment company, the Fund would bear its ratable share
of that company's expenses, including its advisory and administration fees. At
the same time the Fund would continue to pay its own management fees and other
expenses.
 
   
PRIVATIZATIONS. The governments in some emerging markets have been engaged in
programs of selling part or all of their stakes in government owned or
controlled enterprises ("privatizations"). The Manager believes that
privatizations may offer opportunities for significant capital appreciation
    
 
                               Prospectus Page 11
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
and intends to invest assets of the Fund in privatizations in appropriate
circumstances. In certain emerging markets, the ability of foreign entities such
as the Fund to participate in privatizations may be limited by local law or the
terms on which the Fund may be permitted to participate may be less advantageous
than those afforded local investors. There can be no assurance that governments
in emerging markets will continue to sell companies currently owned or
controlled by them or that privatization programs will be successful.
 
WHEN-ISSUED AND FORWARD COMMITMENT SECURITIES. The Fund may purchase debt
securities on a "when-issued" basis and may purchase or sell such securities on
a "forward commitment" basis in order to hedge against anticipated changes in
interest rates and prices. The price, which is generally expressed in yield
terms, is fixed at the time the commitment is made, but delivery and payment for
the securities take place at a later date. When-issued securities and forward
commitments may be sold prior to the settlement date, but the Fund will purchase
or sell when-issued securities and forward commitments only with the intention
of actually receiving or delivering the securities, as the case may be. No
income accrues on securities that have been purchased pursuant to a forward
commitment or on a when-issued basis prior to delivery to the Fund. If the Fund
disposes of the right to acquire a when-issued security prior to its acquisition
or disposes of its right to deliver or receive against a forward commitment, it
may incur a gain or loss. At the time the Fund enters into a transaction on a
when-issued or forward commitment basis, a segregated account consisting of cash
or liquid securities equal to the value of the when-issued or forward commitment
securities will be established and maintained with the Fund's custodian bank and
will be marked to market daily. There is a risk that the securities may not be
delivered and that the Fund may incur a loss.
 
LOAN PARTICIPATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS. The Fund may invest in fixed and floating
rate loans ("Loans") arranged through private negotiations between a foreign
entity and one or more financial institutions ("Lenders"). The majority of the
Fund's investments in Loans in emerging markets is expected to be in the form of
participations in Loans ("Participations") and assignments of portions of Loans
from third parties ("Assignments"). Participations typically will result in the
Fund having a contractual relationship only with the Lender, not with the
borrower. The Fund will have the right to receive payments of principal,
interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the Lender selling the
Participation and only upon receipt by the Lender of the payments from the
borrower. In connection with purchasing Participations, the Fund generally will
have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan
agreement relating to the loan, nor any rights of set-off against the borrower,
and the Fund may not directly benefit from any collateral supporting the Loan in
which it has purchased the Participation. As a result, the Fund will assume the
credit risk of both the borrower and the Lender that is selling the
Participation.
 
In the event of the insolvency of the Lender selling a Participation, the Fund
may be treated as a general creditor of the Lender and may not benefit from any
set-off between the Lender and the borrower. The Fund will acquire
Participations only if the Lender interpositioned between the Fund and the
borrower is determined by the Manager to be creditworthy. When the Fund
purchases Assignments from Lenders, the Fund will acquire direct rights against
the borrower on the Loan. However, because Assignments are arranged through
private negotiations between potential assignees and assignors, the rights and
obligations acquired by the Fund as the purchaser of an Assignment may differ
from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning Lender.
 
   
ZERO COUPON SECURITIES. The Fund may invest in certain zero coupon securities
that are "stripped" U.S. Treasury notes and bonds. The Fund also may invest in
zero coupon and other deep discount securities issued by foreign governments and
domestic and foreign corporations, including certain Brady Bonds and other
foreign debt, and in payment-in-kind securities. Zero coupon securities pay no
interest to holders prior to maturity, and payment-in-kind securities pay
"interest" in the form of additional securities. However, a portion of the
original issue discount on zero coupon securities and the interest on
payment-in-kind securities will be included in the Fund's income. Accordingly,
for the Fund to continue to qualify for tax treatment as a regulated investment
company and to avoid a certain excise tax (see "Taxes" in the Statement of
Additional Information), it may be required to distribute an amount that is
greater than the total amount of cash it actually receives. These distributions
may be made from the Fund's cash assets or, if necessary, from the proceeds of
sales of portfolio securities. The Fund will not be able to purchase additional
income-producing securities with cash used to make such
    
 
                               Prospectus Page 12
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
distributions, and its current income ultimately may be reduced as a result.
Zero coupon and payment-in-kind securities usually trade at a deep discount from
their face or par value and will be subject to greater fluctuations of market
value in response to changing interest rates than debt obligations of comparable
maturities that make current distributions of interest in cash.
 
INDEXED COMMERCIAL PAPER. The Fund may invest without limitation in commercial
paper that is indexed to certain specific foreign currency exchange rates. The
terms of such commercial paper provide that its principal amount is adjusted
upwards or downwards (but not below zero) at maturity to reflect changes in the
exchange rate between two currencies while the obligation is outstanding. The
Fund will purchase such commercial paper with the currency in which it is
denominated and, at maturity, will receive interest and principal payments
thereon in that currency, but the amount of principal payable by the issuer at
maturity will change in proportion to the change (if any) in the exchange rate
between the two specified currencies between the date the instrument is issued
and the date the instrument matures. While such commercial paper entails the
risk of loss of principal, the potential for realizing gains as a result of
changes in foreign currency exchange rates enables the Fund to hedge against a
decline in the U.S. dollar value of investments denominated in foreign
currencies while seeking to provide an attractive money market rate of return.
The Fund will not purchase such commercial paper for speculation.
 
OTHER INDEXED SECURITIES. The Fund may invest in certain other indexed
securities, which are securities whose prices are indexed to the prices of other
securities, securities indices, currencies, precious metals or other commodities
or other financial indicators. Indexed securities typically, but not always, are
debt securities or deposits whose value at maturity or coupon rate is determined
by reference to a specific instrument or statistic. The performance of indexed
securities depends to a great extent on the performance of the security,
currency or other instrument to which they are indexed and also may be
influenced by interest rate changes in the United States and abroad. At the same
time, indexed securities are subject to the credit risks associated with the
issuer of the security, and their values may decline substantially if the
issuer's creditworthiness deteriorates. Indexed securities may be more volatile
than the underlying instruments. New forms of indexed securities continue to be
developed. The Fund may invest in such securities to the extent consistent with
its investment objectives.
 
   
OTHER INFORMATION. The Fund's investment objectives may not be changed without
the approval of a majority of its outstanding voting securities. A "majority of
its outstanding voting securities" means the lesser of (i) 67% of the shares
represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the outstanding shares are
represented, or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares. In addition, the
Fund has adopted certain investment limitations that also may not be changed
without shareholder approval. A complete description of these limitations is
included in the Statement of Additional Information. Unless specifically noted,
the Fund's investment policies described in this Prospectus and in the Statement
of Additional Information may be changed by a vote of a majority of the
Company's Board of Directors without shareholder approval. The Fund's policies
regarding lending, and the percentage of Fund assets that may be committed to
borrowing, are fundamental policies and may not be changed without shareholder
approval.
    
 
                               Prospectus Page 13
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
GENERAL. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment
objectives. The Fund's net asset value will fluctuate, reflecting fluctuations
in the market value of its portfolio positions. Equity securities, particularly
common stocks, generally represent the most junior position in an issuer's
capital structure and entitle holders to an interest in the assets of an issuer,
if any, remaining after all more senior claims have been satisfied.
 
Investing in the Fund entails a substantial degree of risk, and an investment in
the Fund should be considered speculative. Investors are strongly advised to
consider carefully the special risks involved in investing in emerging markets,
which are in addition to the usual risks of investing in developed markets
around the world.
 
NON-DIVERSIFIED CLASSIFICATION. The Fund is classified under the 1940 Act as a
"non-diversified" fund. As a result, the Fund will be able to invest in a
smaller number of issuers than if it was classified under the 1940 Act as a
"diversified" fund. To the extent that the Fund invests in a smaller number of
issuers, the net asset value of its shares may fluctuate more widely and it may
be subject to greater investment and credit risk with respect to its portfolio.
 
   
FOREIGN INVESTING. Investing in foreign securities entails certain risks. The
securities of non-U.S. issuers generally will not be registered with, nor the
issuers thereof be subject to, the reporting requirements of, the SEC.
Accordingly, there may be less publicly available information about foreign
securities and issuers than is available about domestic securities and issuers.
Foreign companies generally are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and
financial reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those
applicable to domestic companies. In addition, certain costs attributable to
foreign investing, such as custody charges, are higher than those attributable
to domestic investing. Securities of some foreign companies are less liquid and
their prices may be more volatile than securities of comparable domestic
companies. The Fund's net investment income from foreign issuers may be subject
to non-U.S. withholding taxes, thereby reducing that income.
    
 
Investing in some foreign countries involves risks relating to potential
political and economic instability within such countries and the risks of
expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets and property or the
imposition of restrictions on foreign investment and on repatriation of capital
invested. In the event of such expropriation, nationalization or other
confiscation, the Fund could lose its entire investment in that market.
Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from
the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of
inflation, rate of savings and capital reinvestment, currency depreciation,
resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments positions. Investments in
foreign government securities involve special risks, including the risk that the
government issuers may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest
when due.
 
The Fund will also be affected favorably or unfavorably by exchange control
regulations or changes in the exchange rates between such currencies and the
U.S. dollar. Changes in currency exchange rates will affect the net asset value
of the Fund's shares and also may affect the value of dividends and interest
earned by the Fund and gains and losses realized by it.
 
INVESTING IN EMERGING MARKETS. Emerging markets generally are dependent heavily
upon international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be
affected adversely by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in
relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated
by the countries with which they trade. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in
inflation rates have had and may continue to have negative effects on the
economies and securities markets of certain countries with emerging markets.
 
Disclosure and regulatory standards in many respects are less stringent than in
the United States and other major markets. There also may be a lower level of
monitoring and regulation of emerging markets and the activities of investors in
such markets, and enforcement of existing regulations has been extremely
limited.
 
                               Prospectus Page 14
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
In addition, brokerage commissions, custodial services and other costs relating
to investment in foreign markets generally are more expensive than in the United
States, particularly with respect to emerging markets. Such markets have
different settlement and clearance procedures. In certain markets there have
been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of
securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. The
inability of the Fund to make intended securities purchases due to settlement
problems could cause it to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability
to dispose of a portfolio security caused by settlement problems could result
either in losses to the Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the
portfolio security or, if the Fund has entered into a contract to sell the
security, could result in possible liability to the purchaser.
 
The securities markets of emerging countries are substantially smaller, less
developed, less liquid and more volatile than the securities markets of the
developed countries. The risk also exists that an emergency situation may arise
in one or more emerging markets as a result of which trading of securities may
cease or may be substantially curtailed and prices for the Fund's portfolio
securities in such markets may not be readily available. Section 22(e) of the
1940 Act permits a registered investment company, such as the Fund, to suspend
redemption of its shares for any period during which an emergency exists, as
determined by the SEC. Accordingly, when the Fund believes that circumstances
dictate, it will promptly apply to the SEC for a determination that such an
emergency exists. During the period commencing with the Fund's identification of
such conditions until the date of any SEC action, the Fund's portfolio
securities in the affected markets will be valued at fair value determined in
good faith by or under the direction of the Company's Board of Directors.
 
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH DEBT SECURITIES. The value of the debt securities held by
the Fund generally will vary inversely with market interest rates. If interest
rates in a market fall, the Fund's debt securities issued by governments or
companies in that market ordinarily will increase in value. If market interest
rates increase, however, the debt securities owned by the Fund in that market
will likely decrease in value.
 
   
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH BELOW INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT SECURITIES. The Fund may
invest up to 50% of its total assets in debt securities rated below investment
grade. Such investments involve a high degree of risk.
    
Debt rated Baa by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") is considered by
Moody's to have speculative characteristics. Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC or C by
Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("S&P"), and debt rated Ba, B, Caa, Ca or C by
Moody's is regarded, on balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to
the issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the
terms of the obligation. While such lower quality debt will likely have some
quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large
uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions. Debt rated C by
Moody's or S&P is the lowest rated debt that is not in default as to principal
or interest, and issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor
prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing. Lower quality debt
securities are also generally considered to be subject to greater risk than
securities with higher ratings with regard to a deterioration of general
economic conditions. These foreign debt securities are the equivalent of high
yield, high risk bonds, commonly known as "junk bonds."
 
Ratings of debt securities represent the rating agency's opinion regarding their
quality and are not a guarantee of quality. Rating agencies attempt to evaluate
the safety of principal and interest payments and do not evaluate the risks of
fluctuations in market value. Also, rating agencies may fail to make timely
changes in credit ratings in response to subsequent events, so that an issuer's
current financial condition may be better or worse than a rating indicates.
 
The market values of lower quality debt securities tend to reflect individual
developments of the issuer to a greater extent than do higher quality
securities, which react primarily to fluctuations in the general level of
interest rates. In addition, lower quality debt securities tend to be more
sensitive to economic conditions and generally have more volatile prices than
higher quality securities. Issuers of lower quality securities are often highly
leveraged and may not have available to them more traditional methods of
financing. For example, during an economic downturn or a sustained period of
rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers of lower quality securities may
experience financial stress. During such periods, such issuers may not have
sufficient revenues to meet their interest payment obligations. The issuer's
ability to service its debt obligations may also be adversely affected by
specific developments affecting it,
 
                               Prospectus Page 15
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
such as its inability to meet specific projected business forecasts or the
unavailability of additional financing. Similarly, certain emerging market
governments that issue lower quality debt securities are among the largest
debtors to commercial banks, foreign governments and supranational organizations
such as the World Bank and may not be able or willing to make principal and/or
interest repayments as they come due. The risk of loss due to default by the
issuer is significantly greater for the holders of lower quality securities
because such securities are generally unsecured and may be subordinated to the
claims of other creditors of the issuer.
 
Lower quality debt securities frequently have call or buy-back features that
would permit an issuer to call or repurchase the security from the Fund. In
addition, the Fund may have difficulty disposing of lower quality securities
because they may have a thin trading market. There may be no established retail
secondary market for many of these securities, and the Fund anticipates that
such securities could be sold only to a limited number of dealers or
institutional investors. The lack of a liquid secondary market also may have an
adverse impact on market prices of such instruments and may make it more
difficult for the Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of
valuing its portfolio. The Fund may also acquire lower quality debt securities
during an initial underwriting or that are sold without registration under
applicable securities laws. Such securities involve special considerations and
risks.
 
   
In addition to the foregoing, factors that could have an adverse effect on the
market value of lower quality debt securities in which the Fund may invest
include (1) potential adverse publicity, (2) heightened sensitivity to general
economic or political conditions and (3) the likely adverse impact of a major
economic recession.
    
 
The Fund may also incur additional expenses to the extent it is required to seek
recovery upon a default in the payment of principal or interest on its portfolio
holdings, and the Fund may have limited legal recourse in the event of a
default. Debt securities issued by governments in emerging markets can differ
from debt obligations issued by private entities in that remedies from defaults
generally must be pursued in the courts of the defaulting government, and legal
recourse is therefore somewhat diminished. Political conditions, in terms of a
government's willingness to meet the terms of its debt obligations, also are of
considerable significance. There can be no assurance that the holders of
commercial bank debt may not contest payments to the holders of debt securities
issued by governments in emerging markets in the event of default by the
governments under commercial bank loan agreements.
 
ILLIQUID SECURITIES. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in
securities for which no readily available market exists, so-called "illiquid
securities." Illiquid securities may be more difficult to value than liquid
securities, and the sale of illiquid securities generally will require more time
and result in higher brokerage charges or dealer discounts and other selling
expenses than the sale of liquid securities. Moreover, illiquid restricted
securities often sell at a price lower than similar securities that are not
subject to restrictions on resale.
 
CURRENCY RISK. Because the Fund may invest substantially in securities
denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, and since the Fund may
hold foreign currencies, it will be affected favorably or unfavorably by
exchange control regulations or changes in the exchange rates between such
currencies and the U.S. dollar. Changes in currency exchange rates will affect
the net asset value of the Fund's shares and also may affect the value of
dividends and interest earned by the Fund and gains and losses realized by it.
Currencies generally are evaluated on the basis of fundamental economic criteria
(e.g., relative inflation and interest rate levels and trends, growth rate
forecasts, balance of payments status and economic policies) as well as
technical and political data. Exchange rates are determined by the forces of
supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets. These forces are affected by
the international balance of payments and other economic and financial
conditions, government intervention, speculation and other factors. If the
currency in which a security is denominated appreciates against the U.S. dollar,
the dollar value of the security will increase. Conversely, a decline in the
exchange rate of the currency would adversely affect the value of the security
expressed in dollars.
 
Many of the currencies of emerging market countries have experienced steady
devaluations relative to the U.S. dollar, and major devaluations have
historically occurred in certain countries. Any devaluations in the currencies
in which the Fund's portfolio securities are denominated may have a detrimental
impact on the Fund.
 
                               Prospectus Page 16
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
Some countries also may have fixed currencies whose values against the U.S.
dollar are not independently determined. In addition, there is a risk that
certain countries may restrict the free conversion of their currencies into
other currencies. Further, certain currencies may not be internationally traded.
 
OPTIONS, FUTURES AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS. The Fund is authorized to
enter into options, futures and forward currency transactions. These
transactions involve certain risks, which include: (1) dependence on the
Manager's ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities,
fluctuations in the general securities markets and movements in interest rates
and currency markets; (2) imperfect correlation, or even no correlation, between
movements in the price of forward contracts, options, futures contracts or
options thereon and movements in the price of the currency or security hedged or
used for cover; (3) the fact that skills and techniques needed to trade options,
futures contracts and options thereon or to use forward currency contracts are
different from those needed to select the securities in which the Fund invests;
(4) lack of assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any
particular option, futures contract or option thereon at any particular time;
(5) the possible loss of principal under certain conditions; and (6) the
possible inability of the Fund to purchase or sell a portfolio security at a
time when it would otherwise be favorable for it to do so, or the possible need
for the Fund to sell a security at a disadvantageous time, due to the need for
the Fund to maintain "cover" or to set aside securities in connection with
hedging transactions.
 
LOAN PARTICIPATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS. The Fund may have difficulty disposing of
Assignments and Participations. The liquidity of such securities is limited, and
the Fund anticipates that such securities could be sold only to a limited number
of institutional investors. The lack of a liquid secondary market could have an
adverse impact on the value of such securities and on the Fund's ability to
dispose of particular Assignments or Participations when necessary to meet its
liquidity needs or in response to a specific economic event, such as a
deterioration in the creditworthiness of the borrower. The lack of a liquid
secondary market for Assignments and Participations also may make it more
difficult for the Fund to assign a value to those securities for purposes of
valuing its portfolio and calculating its net asset value.
 
SOVEREIGN DEBT. The Fund may invest in sovereign debt securities of emerging
market governments, including Brady Bonds. Investments in such securities
involve special risks. The issuer of the debt or the governmental authorities
that control the repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay
principal or interest when due in accordance with the terms of such debt.
Periods of economic uncertainty may result in the volatility of market prices of
sovereign debt obligations and in turn the Fund's net asset value, to a greater
extent than the volatility inherent in domestic fixed income securities.
 
A sovereign debtor's willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest
in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow
situation, the extent of its foreign reserves, the availability of sufficient
foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt
service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor's policy toward
principal international lenders and the political constraints to which a
sovereign debtor may be subject. Emerging market governments could default on
their sovereign debt. Such sovereign debtors also may be dependent on expected
disbursements from foreign governments, multilateral agencies and other entities
abroad to reduce principal and interest arrearages on their debt. The commitment
on the part of these governments, agencies and others to make such disbursements
may be conditioned on a sovereign debtor's implementation of economic reforms
and/or economic performance and the timely service of such debtor's obligations.
Failure to implement such reforms, achieve such levels of economic performance
or repay principal or interest when due may result in the cancellation of such
third parties' commitments to lend funds to the sovereign debtor, which may
further impair such debtor's ability or willingness to timely service its debts.
 
The occurrence of political, social or diplomatic changes in one or more of the
countries issuing sovereign debt could adversely affect the Fund's investments.
Emerging markets are faced with social and political issues, and some of them
have experienced high rates of inflation in recent years and have extensive
internal debt. Among other effects, high inflation and internal debt service
requirements may adversely affect the cost and availability of future domestic
sovereign borrowing to finance governmental programs and may have other adverse
social, political and economic consequences. Political changes or a
deterioration of a country's
 
                               Prospectus Page 17
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
domestic economy or balance of trade may affect its willingness to service its
sovereign debt. Although the Manager intends to manage the Fund in a manner that
will minimize the exposure to such risks, there can be no assurance that adverse
political changes will not cause the Fund to suffer a loss of interest or
principal on any of its holdings.
 
In recent years, some of the emerging market countries in which the Fund expects
to invest have encountered difficulties in servicing their sovereign debt
obligations. Some of these countries have withheld payments of interest and/or
principal of sovereign debt. These difficulties have also led to agreements to
restructure external debt obligations -- in particular, commercial bank loans --
typically by rescheduling principal payments, reducing interest rates and
extending new credits to finance interest payments on existing debt. In the
future, holders of emerging market sovereign debt securities may be requested to
participate in similar rescheduling of such debt. Certain emerging market
countries are among the largest debtors to commercial banks and foreign
governments. Currently, Brazil, Mexico and Argentina are the largest debtors
among developing countries. At times certain emerging market countries have
declared moratoria on the payment of principal and interest on external debt;
such a moratorium is currently in effect in certain emerging market countries.
There is no bankruptcy proceeding by which a creditor may collect in whole or in
part sovereign debt on which an emerging market government has defaulted.
 
The ability of emerging market governments to make timely payments on their
sovereign debt securities is likely to be influenced strongly by a country's
balance of trade and its access to trade and other international credits. A
country whose exports are concentrated in a few commodities could be vulnerable
to a decline in the international prices of one or more of such commodities.
Increased protectionism on the part of a country's trading partners could also
adversely affect its exports. Such events could diminish a country's trade
account surplus, if any. To the extent that a country receives payment for its
exports in currencies other than hard currencies, its ability to make hard
currency payments could be affected.
 
   
As noted above, sovereign debt obligations issued by emerging market governments
generally are deemed to be the equivalent in terms of quality to securities
rated below investment grade by Moody's and S&P. Such securities are regarded as
predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest
and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligations and involve
major risk exposure to adverse conditions. Some of such securities, with respect
to which the issuer currently may not be paying interest or may be in payment
default, may be comparable to securities rated D by S&P or C by Moody's. The
Fund may have difficulty disposing of and valuing certain sovereign debt
obligations because there may be a limited trading market for such securities.
Because there is no liquid secondary market for many of these securities, the
Fund anticipates that such securities could be sold only to a limited number of
dealers or institutional investors.
    
 
                               Prospectus Page 18
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                                 HOW TO INVEST
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
GENERAL. All purchase orders will be executed at the public offering price next
determined after the purchase order is received, which includes any applicable
sales charge for Class A shares. Orders received before the close of regular
trading on the NYSE (currently 4:00 P.M. Eastern time, unless weather, equipment
failure or other factors contribute to an earlier closing time) on any Business
Day will be executed at the public offering price for the applicable class of
shares determined that day. A "Business Day" is any day Monday through Friday on
which the NYSE is open for business. The minimum initial investment is $500
($100 for IRAs and $25 for custodial accounts under Section 403(b)(7) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code"), and other tax-qualified
employer-sponsored retirement accounts, if made by such investors under a
systematic investment plan providing for monthly or quarterly payments of at
least that amount), and the minimum for additional purchases is $100 (with a $25
minimum for IRAs, Code Section 403(b)(7) custodial accounts and other
tax-qualified employer-sponsored retirement accounts, as mentioned above). THE
FUND AND GT GLOBAL RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY PURCHASE ORDER AND TO SUSPEND
THE OFFERING OF SHARES FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. In particular, the Fund and GT
Global may reject purchase orders or exchanges by investors who appear to
follow, in the Manager's judgment, a market-timing strategy or otherwise engage
in excessive trading. See "How to Make Exchanges -- Limitations on Purchase
Orders and Exchanges."
 
WHEN PLACING PURCHASE ORDERS, INVESTORS SHOULD SPECIFY WHETHER THE ORDER IS FOR
CLASS A OR CLASS B SHARES OF THE FUND. ALL PURCHASE ORDERS THAT FAIL TO SPECIFY
A CLASS WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE INVESTED IN CLASS A SHARES. PURCHASES OF $500,000
OR MORE MUST BE FOR CLASS A SHARES.
 
PURCHASES THROUGH BROKER/DEALERS. Shares of the Fund may be purchased through
broker/dealers with which GT Global has entered into dealer agreements. Orders
received by such broker/dealers before the close of regular trading on the NYSE
on a Business Day will be effected that day, provided that such order is
transmitted to the Transfer Agent prior to its close of business on such day.
The broker/dealer will be responsible for forwarding the investor's order to the
Transfer Agent so that it will be received prior to such time. After an initial
investment is made and a shareholder account is established through a
broker/dealer, at the investor's option, subsequent purchases may be made
directly through GT Global. See "Shareholder Account Manual."
 
Broker/dealers that do not have dealer agreements with GT Global also may offer
to place orders for the purchase of shares. Purchases made through such
broker/dealers will be effected at the public offering price next determined
after the order is received by the Transfer Agent. Such a broker/ dealer may
charge the investor a transaction fee as determined by the broker/dealer. That
fee will be in addition to the sales charge payable by the investor with respect
to Class A shares, and may be avoided if shares are purchased through a broker/
dealer that has a dealer agreement with GT Global or directly through GT Global.
 
   
PURCHASES THROUGH GT GLOBAL. Investors may purchase shares and open an account
directly through GT Global, the Fund's distributor, by completing and signing an
Account Application accompanying this Prospectus. Investors should mail to the
Transfer Agent the completed Application together with a check to cover the
purchase in accordance with the instructions provided in the Shareholder Account
Manual. Purchases will be executed at the public offering price next determined
after the Transfer Agent has received the Account Application and check.
Subsequent investments do not need to be accompanied by an application.
    
 
Investors also may purchase shares of the Fund through GT Global by bank wire.
Bank wire purchases will be effected at the next determined public offering
price after the bank wire is received. A wire investment is considered received
when the Transfer Agent is notified that the bank wire has been credited to the
Fund. The investor is responsible for providing prior telephonic or facsimile
notice to the Transfer Agent that a bank wire is being sent. An investor's bank
may charge a service fee for wiring money to the Fund. The Transfer Agent
currently does not charge a service fee for
 
                               Prospectus Page 19
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
facilitating wire purchases, but reserves the right to do so in the future.
Investors desiring to open an account by bank wire should call the Transfer
Agent at the appropriate toll-free number provided in the Shareholder Account
Manual to obtain an account number and detailed instructions.
 
CERTIFICATES. Physical certificates representing the Fund's shares will not be
issued unless a written request is submitted to the Transfer Agent. Shares of
the Fund are recorded on a register by the Transfer Agent, and shareholders who
do not elect to receive certificates have the same rights of ownership as if
certificates had been issued to them. Redemptions and exchanges by shareholders
who hold certificates may take longer to effect than similar transactions
involving non-certificated shares because the physical delivery and processing
of properly executed certificates is required. ACCORDINGLY, THE FUND AND GT
GLOBAL RECOMMEND THAT SHAREHOLDERS DO NOT REQUEST ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES.
 
                           PURCHASING CLASS A SHARES
 
   
The Fund's public offering price for Class A shares is the next determined net
asset value per share (see "Calculation of Net Asset Value") plus a sales charge
determined in accordance with the following schedule:
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          SALES CHARGE AS PERCENTAGE OF         DEALER
                                                                            REALLOWANCE AS
AMOUNT OF PURCHASE                        ------------------------------     PERCENTAGE OF
AT THE PUBLIC                               OFFERING           NET           THE OFFERING
OFFERING PRICE                                PRICE        INVESTMENT            PRICE
- -----------------------                   -------------  ---------------  -------------------
<S>                                       <C>            <C>              <C>
Less than $50,000.......................          4.75%           4.99%              4.25%
$50,000 but less than $100,000..........          4.00%           4.17%              3.50%
$100,000 but less than $250,000.........          3.00%           3.09%              2.75%
$250,000 but less than $500,000.........          2.00%           2.04%              1.75%
$500,000 or more........................          0.00%           0.00%            *
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
*   GT Global will pay the following commissions to broker/ dealers that
    initiate and are responsible for purchases by any single purchaser of Class
    A shares of $500,000 or more in the aggregate: 1.00% of the purchase amount
    up to $3 million, plus 0.50% on the excess over $3 million. For purposes of
    determining the appropriate commission to be paid in connection with the
    transaction, GT Global will combine purchases made by a broker/dealer on
    behalf of a single client so that the broker/dealer's commission, as
    outlined above, will be based on the aggregate amount of such client's share
    purchases over a rolling twelve month period from the date of the
    transaction.
 
All shares purchased without a sales charge based on the aggregate purchase
amount equalling at least $500,000 will be subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge, for the first year after their purchase equal to 1% of the lower
of the original purchase price or the net asset value of such shares at the time
of redemption. See "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge -- Class A Shares."
   
From time to time, GT Global may reallow to broker/ dealers the full amount of
the sales charge or may pay out additional amounts to broker/dealers who sell
Class A shares. In some instances, GT Global may offer these reallowances or
additional payments only to broker/dealers that have sold or may sell
significant amounts of Class A shares. To the extent that GT Global reallows the
full amount of the sales charge to broker/dealers, such broker/dealers may be
deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Commissions also may be paid to broker/dealers and other financial institutions
that initiate purchases of at least $500,000 made pursuant to sales charge
waivers (i) and (vii), described below under "Sales Charge Waivers -- Class A
Shares."
    
 
The following purchases may be aggregated for purposes of determining the
"Amount of Purchase":
 
(a) Individual purchases on behalf of a single purchaser, the purchaser's spouse
and their children under the age of 21 years including purchases in connection
with an employee benefit plan or plans exclusively for the benefit of such
individual(s), such as an IRA, individual Code Section 403(b) plan or
single-participant, self-employed individual retirement plan ("Keogh Plan") and
purchases made by a company controlled by such individual(s);
 
   
(b) Individual purchases by a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing shares for a
single trust estate or a single fiduciary account, including an employee benefit
plan (such as employer-sponsored pension, profit-sharing and stock bonus plans,
including Code Section 401(k) plans, and medical, life and disability insurance
trusts) other than a plan described in "(a)" above; and
    
 
(c) Individual purchases by a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing shares
concurrently for two or more employee benefit plans of a single employer or of
employers affiliated with each other (again excluding an employee benefit plan
described in "(a)" above).
 
SALES CHARGE WAIVERS -- CLASS A SHARES. Class A shares are sold at net asset
value without imposition of sales charges when investments are made by the
following classes of investors:
 
(i) Trustees or other fiduciaries purchasing shares for employee benefit plans
which are sponsored by organizations that have at least 100 but less than 1,000
employees, and trustees or other fiduciaries
 
                               Prospectus Page 20
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
purchasing shares for employee benefit plans which are sponsored by
organizations with collective retirement plan assets of $500,000 or more and
have less than 100 employees, and purchases of at least $500,000 by trustees or
other fiduciaries of employee benefit plans with collective retirement plan
assets of $100 million or more.
 
(ii) Current or retired Trustees, Directors and officers of the investment
companies for which the Manager serves as investment manager and/or
administrator; employees or retired employees of the companies composing
Liechtenstein Global Trust or affiliated companies of Liechtenstein Global
Trust; the children, siblings and parents of the persons in the foregoing
categories; and trusts primarily for the benefit of such persons.
 
(iii) Registered representatives or full-time employees of broker/dealers that
have entered into dealer agreements with GT Global, and the children, siblings
and parents of such persons, and employees of financial institutions that
directly, or through their affiliates, have entered into dealer agreements with
GT Global (or that otherwise have an arrangement with respect to sales of Fund
shares with a broker/dealer that has entered into a dealer agreement with GT
Global) and the children, siblings and parents of such employees.
 
(iv) Companies exchanging shares with or selling assets to one or more of the GT
Global Mutual Funds pursuant to a merger, acquisition or exchange offer.
 
(v) Shareholders of any of the GT Global Mutual Funds as of April 30, 1987 who
since that date continually have owned shares of one or more of the GT Global
Mutual Funds.
 
(vi) Purchases made through the automatic investment of dividends and other
distributions paid by any of the other GT Global Mutual Funds.
 
(vii) Registered investment advisers, trust companies and bank trust departments
exercising discretionary investment authority with respect to the money to be
invested in the GT Global Mutual Funds provided that the aggregate amount
invested pursuant to this sales charge waiver is at least $500,000, and further
provided that such money is not eligible to be invested in the Advisor Class.
 
(viii) Clients of administrators of tax-qualified employee benefit plans which
have entered into agreements with GT Global.
 
(ix) Retirement plan participants who borrow from their retirement accounts by
redeeming GT Global Mutual Fund shares and subsequently repay such loans via a
purchase of Fund shares.
 
(x) Retirement plan participants who receive distributions from a tax-qualified
employer-sponsored retirement plan which is invested in GT Global Mutual Funds,
the proceeds of which are reinvested in Fund shares.
 
(xi) Accounts not eligible for the Advisor Class as to which a financial
institution or broker/dealer charges an account management fee, provided the
financial institution or broker/dealer has entered into an agreement with GT
Global regarding such accounts.
 
(xii) Certain former AMA Investment Advisers' shareholders who became
shareholders of the GT Global Health Care Fund in October 1989, and who have
continuously held shares in the GT Global Mutual Funds since that time.
 
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE. Shareholders who redeem their Class A shares in the
Fund have a one-time privilege of reinstating their investment by investing the
proceeds of the redemption at net asset value without a sales charge in Class A
shares of the Fund and/or one or more of the other GT Global Mutual Funds. The
Transfer Agent must receive from the investor or the investor's broker/dealer
within 180 days after the date of the redemption both a written request for
reinvestment and a check not exceeding the amount of the redemption proceeds.
The reinstatement purchase will be effected at the net asset value per share
next determined after such receipt. Gain on the redemption is taxable
notwithstanding exercise of the reinvestment privilege. See "Dividends, Other
Distributions and Federal Income Taxation -- Taxes."
 
   
REDUCED SALES CHARGE PLANS -- CLASS A SHARES. Class A shares may be purchased at
reduced sales charges either through the Right of Accumulation or under a Letter
of Intent. For more details on these plans, investors should contact their
broker/ dealers or the Transfer Agent.
    
 
RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION. Pursuant to the Right of Accumulation, investors are
permitted to purchase shares of the Fund at the sales charge applicable to the
total of (a) the dollar amount then being purchased plus (b) the dollar amount
of the investor's concurrent purchases of other GT Global Mutual Funds (other
than GT Global Dollar Fund) plus (c) the price of all shares of GT Global
 
                               Prospectus Page 21
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
   
Mutual Funds (other than shares of GT Global Dollar Fund not acquired by
exchange) already held by the investor. To receive the Right of Accumulation, at
the time of purchase investors must give their broker/dealers, the Transfer
Agent or GT Global sufficient information to permit confirmation of
qualification. THE FOREGOING RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION APPLIES ONLY TO CLASS A
SHARES OF THE FUND AND OTHER GT GLOBAL MUTUAL FUNDS (OTHER THAN GT GLOBAL DOLLAR
FUND).
    
 
LETTER OF INTENT. In executing a Letter of Intent ("LOI") an investor indicates
an aggregate investment amount he or she intends to invest in the Class A shares
of the Fund and the Class A shares of other GT Global Mutual Funds (other than
GT Global Dollar Fund) in the following thirteen months. The LOI is included as
part of the Account Application located at the end of this Prospectus. The sales
charge applicable to that aggregate amount then becomes the applicable sales
charge on all purchases made concurrently with the execution of the LOI and in
the thirteen months following that execution. If an investor executes an LOI
within 90 days of a prior purchase of GT Global Mutual Fund Class A shares
(other than shares of GT Global Dollar Fund), the prior purchase may be included
under the LOI and an appropriate adjustment, if any, with respect to the sales
charges paid by the investor in connection with the prior purchase will be made,
based on the then-current net asset value(s) of the pertinent Fund(s).
 
If at the end of the thirteen month period covered by the LOI the total amount
of purchases does not equal the amount indicated, the investor will be required
to pay the difference between the sales charges paid at the reduced rate and the
sales charges applicable to the purchases actually made. Shares having a value
equal to 5% of the amount specified in the LOI will be held in escrow during the
thirteen month period (while remaining registered in the investor's name) and
are subject to redemption to assure any necessary payment to GT Global of a
higher applicable sales charge.
 
Investors should be aware that the Fund may, in the future, suspend the offering
of its shares although not for previously established LOIs. If all ongoing sales
of the Fund shares are suspended, however, an LOI executed in connection with
the offering of the Fund's shares may continue to be completed by the purchase
of shares of one or more other GT Global Mutual Funds (other than GT Global
Dollar Fund).
 
For purposes of an LOI, any registered investment adviser, trust company or bank
trust department which exercises investment discretion and which intends within
thirteen months to invest $500,000 or more can be treated as a single purchaser,
provided further that such entity places all purchase and redemption orders.
Such entities should be prepared to establish their qualification for such
treatment. THE FOREGOING LOI APPLIES ONLY TO CLASS A SHARES OF THE FUND AND
OTHER GT GLOBAL MUTUAL FUNDS (OTHER THAN GT GLOBAL DOLLAR FUND).
 
   
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE -- CLASS A SHARES. Purchases of Class A shares
of $500,000 or more may be made without a sales charge. If a shareholder within
one year after the date of purchase redeems any Class A shares that were
purchased without a sales charge by reason of a purchase of $500,000 or more, a
contingent deferred sales charge of 1% of the lower of the original purchase
price or the net asset value of such shares at the time of redemption will be
charged. Class A shares will not be subject to the contingent deferred sales
charge to the extent that the value of such shares represents (1) reinvestment
of dividends or other distributions or (2) shares redeemed more than one year
after their purchase. Such shares purchased without a sales charge may be
exchanged for Class A shares of another GT Global Mutual Fund (other than GT
Global Dollar Fund) without the imposition of a contingent deferred sales
charge, although the contingent deferred sales charge described above will apply
to the redemption of the shares acquired through an exchange. The waivers set
forth under "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Waivers" below apply to
redemptions of Class A shares upon which a contingent deferred sales charge
would otherwise be imposed. For federal income tax purposes, the amount of the
contingent deferred sales charge will reduce the gain or increase the loss, as
the case may be, realized on a redemption. The amount of any contingent deferred
sales charge will be paid to GT Global.
    
 
                           PURCHASING CLASS B SHARES
 
The Fund's public offering price for Class B shares is the next determined net
asset value per share. See "Calculation of Net Asset Value." No initial sales
charge is imposed. A contingent deferred sales charge, however, is imposed on
certain redemptions of Class B shares. Because Class B shares are sold without
an initial sales charge, the Fund receives the full amount of the investor's
purchase payment.
 
                               Prospectus Page 22
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
Class B shares will not be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge to the
extent that the value of such shares represents: (1) reinvestment of dividends
or other distributions or (2) shares redeemed more than six years after their
purchase. Redemptions of most other Class B shares will be subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge. See "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
Waivers." The amount of any applicable contingent deferred sales charge will be
calculated by multiplying the lesser of the original purchase price or the net
asset value of such shares at the time of redemption by the applicable
percentage shown in the table below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES
                                CHARGE AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE
                                LESSER OF NET ASSET VALUE AT
                                         REDEMPTION
                                       OR THE ORIGINAL
      REDEMPTION DURING                PURCHASE PRICE
- ------------------------------  -----------------------------
<S>                             <C>
1st Year Since Purchase.......                    5%
2nd Year Since Purchase.......                    4%
3rd Year Since Purchase.......                    3%
4th Year Since Purchase.......                    3%
5th Year Since Purchase.......                    2%
6th year Since Purchase.......                    1%
Thereafter....................                    0%
</TABLE>
 
In determining whether a contingent deferred sales charge is applicable, it will
be assumed that the redemption is made first of shares acquired pursuant to the
reinvestment of dividends and distributions; then of shares purchased seven
years or more prior to the redemption; and finally, of shares held for the
longest period of time within the applicable six-year period. For shares
acquired in an exchange, the length of the holding period will be measured from
the date of original purchase.
 
For example, assume an investor purchased 100 shares at $10 per share for a cost
of $1,000. Subsequently, the shareholder acquired 15 additional shares through
dividend reinvestment. During the second year after the purchase the investor
decided to redeem $500 of his or her investment. Assuming at the time of the
redemption a net asset value of $11 per share, the value of the investor's
shares would be $1,265 (115 shares at $11 per share). The contingent deferred
sales charge would not be applied to the value of the reinvested dividend
shares. Therefore, the 15 shares currently valued at $165.00 would be redeemed
without a contingent deferred sales charge. The number of shares needed to fund
the remaining $335.00 of the redemption would equal 30.455. Using the lower of
cost or market price to determine the contingent deferred sales charge the
original purchase price of $10.00 per share would be used. The contingent
deferred sales charge calculation would therefore be 30.455 shares times $10.00
per share at a contingent deferred sales charge rate of 4% (the applicable rate
in the second year after purchase) for a total contingent deferred sales charge
of $12.18.
 
   
Class B shares that are acquired pursuant to the exchange privilege during a
tender offer by GT Global Floating Rate Fund, Inc. ("Floating Rate Fund") will
be subject, in lieu of the contingent deferred sales charge described above, to
a contingent deferred sales charge equivalent to the early withdrawal charge on
the common stock of the Floating Rate Fund. The purchase of Class B shares will
be deemed to have occurred at the time of the initial purchase of the Floating
Rate Fund's common stock.
    
 
   
For federal income tax purposes, the amount of the contingent deferred sales
charge will reduce the gain or increase the loss, as the case may be, realized
on a redemption. The amount of any contingent deferred sales charge will be paid
to GT Global.
    
 
                              CONTINGENT DEFERRED
                              SALES CHARGE WAIVERS
 
   
The contingent deferred sales charge will be waived for (1) exchanges, as
described below; (2) redemptions in connection with the Fund's systematic
withdrawal plan not in excess of 12% of the value of the account annually; (3)
total or partial redemptions made within one year following the death or
disability of a shareholder; (4) minimum required distributions made in
connection with a GT Global IRA, Keogh Plan or custodial account under Section
403(b) of the Code or other retirement plan following attainment of age 70 1/2;
(5) total or partial redemptions resulting from a distribution following
retirement in the case of a tax-qualified employer-sponsored retirement plan;
(6) when a redemption results from a tax-free return of an excess contribution
pursuant to Section 408(d)(4) or (5) of the Code or from the death or disability
of the employee; (7) a one-time reinvestment in Class B shares of the Fund
within 180 days of a prior redemption; (8) redemptions pursuant to the Fund's
right to liquidate a shareholder's account involuntarily; (9) redemptions
pursuant to a distribution from a tax-qualified employer-sponsored retirement
plan, which is invested in GT Global Mutual Funds, that is permitted to be made
without penalty pursuant to the Code (other than tax-free rollovers or transfers
of assets) and the proceeds of which are reinvested in GT Global Mutual Funds;
    
 
                               Prospectus Page 23
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
   
(10) redemptions made in connection with participant-directed exchanges between
options in an employer-sponsored benefit plan; (11) redemptions made for the
purpose of providing cash to fund a loan to a participant in a tax-qualified
retirement plan; (12) redemptions made in connection with a distribution from
any retirement plan or account that is permitted in accordance with the
provisions of Section 72(t)(2) of the Code and the regulations promulgated
thereunder; (13) redemptions made in connection with a distribution from any
retirement plan or account that involves the return of an excess deferral amount
pursuant to Sections 401(k)(8) or 402(g)(2) of the Code or the return of excess
aggregate contributions pursuant to Section 401(m)(6) of the Code; (14)
redemptions made in connection with a distribution (from a qualified
profit-sharing or stock bonus plan described in Section 401(k) of the Code) to a
participant or beneficiary under Section 401(k)(2)(B)(IV) of the Code upon
hardship of the covered employee determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation
Section 1.401(k)-1(d)(2); and (15) redemptions made by or for the benefit of
certain states, counties or cities, or any instrumentalities, departments or
authorities thereof, where such entities are prohibited or limited by applicable
law from paying a sales charge or commission.
    
 
            PROGRAMS APPLICABLE TO CLASS A SHARES AND CLASS B SHARES
 
   
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN. Investors may purchase either Class A or Class B
shares of the Fund through the GT Global Automatic Investment Plan. Under this
Plan, an amount specified by the shareholder of $100 or more ($25 or more for
IRAs, Code Section 403(b)(7) custodial accounts and other tax-qualified
employer-sponsored retirement accounts) on a monthly or quarterly basis will be
sent to the Transfer Agent from the investor's bank for investment in the Fund.
Participants in the Automatic Investment Plan should not elect to receive
dividends or other distributions from the Fund in cash. A sales charge will be
applied to each automatic monthly purchase of Class A shares in an amount
determined in accordance with the Right of Accumulation privilege described
above. To participate in the Automatic Investment Plan, investors should
complete the appropriate portion of the Supplemental Application provided at the
end of this Prospectus. Investors should contact their broker/ dealers or GT
Global for more information.
    
 
   
DOLLAR COST AVERAGING PROGRAM. Investors may purchase either Class A or Class B
shares of the Fund through the GT Global Dollar Cost Averaging Program whereby a
shareholder invests the same dollar amount each month; accordingly, the investor
purchases more shares when the Fund's net asset value is relatively low and
fewer shares when the Fund's net asset value is relatively high. This can result
in a lower average cost-per-share than if the shareholder followed a less
systematic approach. Dollar cost averaging does not assure a profit and does not
protect against loss in declining markets. Because such a program involves
continuous investment in securities regardless of fluctuating price levels of
such securities, investors should consider their financial ability to continue
purchases when prices are declining.
    
 
   
A participant in the GT Global Dollar Cost Averaging Program first designates
the size of his or her monthly investment in the Fund ("Monthly Investment")
after participation in the Program begins. The Monthly Investment must be at
least $1,000. The investor then will make an initial investment of at least
$10,000 in the GT Global Dollar Fund. Thereafter, each month an amount equal to
the specified Monthly Investment automatically will be redeemed from the GT
Global Dollar Fund and invested in Fund shares. A sales charge will be applied
to each automatic monthly purchase of Class A shares in an amount determined in
accordance with the Right of Accumulation privilege described above. Investors
should contact their broker/dealers or GT Global for more information.
    
 
PORTFOLIO REBALANCING PROGRAM. The GT Global Portfolio Rebalancing Program
("Program") permits eligible shareholders to establish and maintain an
allocation across a range of GT Global Mutual Funds. The Program automatically
rebalances holdings of GT Global Mutual Funds to the established allocation on a
periodic basis. Under the Program, a shareholder may predesignate, on a
percentage basis, how the total value of his or her holdings in a minimum of
two, and a maximum of ten, GT Global Mutual Funds ("Personal Portfolio") is to
be rebalanced on a monthly, quarterly, semiannual, or annual basis.
 
   
Rebalancing under the Program will be effected through the exchange of shares of
one or more GT Global Mutual Funds in the shareholder's Personal Portfolio for
shares of the same class(es) of one or more other GT Global Mutual Funds in the
shareholder's Personal Portfolio. See "How to Make Exchanges." If shares of the
GT Global Mutual Funds in a shareholder's Personal Portfolio have appreciated
during a rebalancing period, the Program will result in shares of GT Global
Mutual
    
 
                               Prospectus Page 24
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
   
Fund(s) that have appreciated most during the period being exchanged for shares
of GT Global Mutual Fund(s) that have appreciated least. SUCH EXCHANGES ARE NOT
TAX-FREE AND MAY RESULT IN A SHAREHOLDER'S REALIZING A GAIN OR LOSS, AS THE CASE
MAY BE, FOR TAX PURPOSES. See "Dividends, Other Distributions and Federal Income
Taxation." Participation in the Program does not assure that a shareholder will
profit from purchases under the Program nor does it prevent or lessen losses in
a declining market.
    
 
The Program will automatically rebalance the shareholder's Personal Portfolio on
the 28th day of the last month of the period chosen (or the immediately
preceding business day if the 28th is not a business day), subject to any
limitations below. The Program will not execute an exchange if the variance in a
shareholder's Personal Portfolio for a particular Fund would be 2% or less. In
predesignating percentages, shareholders must use whole percentages and totals
must equal 100%. Shareholders participating in the Program may not request
issuance of physical certificates representing a Fund's shares. Exchanges made
under the Program are not subject to the four free exchanges per year
limitation. The Funds and GT Global reserve the right to modify, suspend, or
terminate the Program at any time on 60 days' prior written notice to
shareholders. A request to participate in the Program must be received in good
order at least five business days prior to the next rebalancing date. Once a
shareholder establishes the Program for his or her Personal Portfolio, a
shareholder cannot cancel or change which rebalancing frequency, which Funds or
what allocation percentages are assigned to the Program, unless canceled or
changed in writing and received by the Transfer Agent in good order at least
five business days prior to the rebalancing date. Shareholders participating in
the Program may also participate in the Right of Accumulation, Letter of Intent,
and Dollar Cost Averaging programs. Certain broker/dealers may charge a fee for
establishing accounts relating to the Program. Investors should contact their
broker/dealers or GT Global for more information.
 
                               Prospectus Page 25
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                             HOW TO MAKE EXCHANGES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
Shares of the Fund may be exchanged for shares of the same class of any of the
other GT Global Mutual Funds, based on their respective net asset values without
imposition of any sales charges, provided that the registration remains
identical. Until May 1, 1998, the Fund will deduct a 2% fee from the amount of
all exchanges of Class A shares of the Fund acquired as a result of the
reorganization of the Predecessor Fund into the Fund. See "How to Redeem Shares
- -- Redemption Fee." EXCHANGES ARE NOT TAX-FREE AND MAY RESULT IN A SHAREHOLDER'S
REALIZING A GAIN OR LOSS, AS THE CASE MAY BE, FOR TAX PURPOSES. See "Dividends,
Other Distributions and Federal Income Taxation." In addition to the Fund, the
GT Global Mutual Funds currently include:
    
 
   -- GT GLOBAL AMERICA SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL AMERICA MID CAP GROWTH FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL AMERICA VALUE FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND
       SERVICES FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL DOLLAR FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL EMERGING MARKETS FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL EUROPE GROWTH FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL FINANCIAL SERVICES FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL GROWTH & INCOME FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL HEALTH CARE FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL JAPAN GROWTH FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL LATIN AMERICA GROWTH FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL NATURAL RESOURCES FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL NEW DIMENSION FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL NEW PACIFIC GROWTH FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL WORLDWIDE GROWTH FUND
 
Up to four exchanges each year may be made without charge. A $7.50 service
charge will be imposed on each subsequent exchange. If an investor does not
surrender all of his or her shares in an exchange, the remaining balance in the
investor's account after the exchange must be at least $500. Exchange requests
received in good order by the Transfer Agent before the close of regular trading
on the NYSE on any Business Day will be processed at the net asset value
calculated on that day. The terms of the exchange offer may be modified at any
time, on 60 days' prior written notice.
 
   
A shareholder interested in making an exchange should contact his or her
broker/dealer or the Transfer Agent to request the prospectus of the other GT
Global Mutual Fund(s) being considered. Certain broker/dealers may charge a fee
for handling exchanges.
    
EXCHANGES BY TELEPHONE. A shareholder may give exchange instructions to his or
her broker/dealer or the Transfer Agent by telephone at the appropriate
toll-free number provided in the Shareholder Account Manual. Exchange orders
will be accepted by telephone provided that the exchange involves only
uncertificated shares on deposit in the shareholder's account or for which
certificates previously have been deposited.
 
Shareholders automatically have telephone privileges to authorize exchanges. The
Fund, GT Global and the Transfer Agent will not be liable for any loss or damage
for acting in good faith upon instructions received by telephone and reasonably
believed to be genuine. The Fund employs reasonable procedures to confirm that
instructions communicated by telephone are genuine prior to acting upon
instructions received by telephone, including requiring some form of personal
identification, providing written confirmation of such transactions, and/or tape
recording of telephone instructions.
 
EXCHANGES BY MAIL. Exchange orders should be sent by mail to the investor's
broker/dealer or to the Transfer Agent at the address set forth in the
Shareholder Account Manual.
 
LIMITATIONS ON PURCHASE ORDERS AND EXCHANGES. The GT Global Mutual Funds are not
intended to serve as vehicles for frequent trading in response to short-term
fluctuations in the market. Due to the disruptive effect that market-timing
investment strategies and excessive trading can have on efficient portfolio
management, each GT Global Mutual Fund and GT Global reserves the right to
refuse purchase orders and exchanges by any person or group, if, in the
Manager's judgment, such person or group was following a market-timing strategy
or was otherwise engaging in excessive trading.
 
In addition, each GT Global Mutual Fund and GT Global reserves the right to
refuse purchase orders and exchanges by any person or group if, in the Manager's
judgment, the Fund would not be able to invest the money effectively in
accordance with that Fund's investment objective and policies or would otherwise
potentially be adversely affected. Although a GT Global Mutual Fund will attempt
to give investors prior notice whenever it is reasonably able to do so, it may
impose the above restrictions at any time.
 
Finally, as described above, each GT Global Mutual Fund and GT Global reserve
the right to reject any purchase order.
 
                               Prospectus Page 26
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                              HOW TO REDEEM SHARES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
Fund shares may be redeemed at their net asset value (subject to any applicable
contingent deferred sales charge for Class B shares or, in limited
circumstances, Class A shares), and redemption proceeds will be sent within
seven days of the execution of a redemption request. If a redeeming shareholder
owns more than one class of shares, shares will be redeemed from the class
specified by the shareholder.
    
 
REDEMPTIONS THROUGH BROKERS/DEALERS. Shareholders with accounts at
broker/dealers which sell shares of the Fund may submit redemption requests to
such broker/dealers. If the shares are held in the broker/dealer's "street
name," the redemption must be made through the broker/ dealer. Broker/dealers
may honor a redemption request either by repurchasing shares from a redeeming
shareholder at the net asset value next determined after the broker/dealer
receives the request or, as described below, by forwarding such requests to the
Transfer Agent (see "How to Redeem Shares -- Redemptions Through the Transfer
Agent"). Redemption proceeds normally will be paid by check or, if offered by
the broker/dealer, credited to the shareholder's brokerage account at the
election of the shareholder. Broker/dealers may impose a service charge for
handling redemption transactions placed through them and may have other
requirements concerning redemptions. Accordingly, shareholders should contact
their broker/dealers for more details.
 
   
REDEMPTIONS THROUGH THE TRANSFER AGENT. Redemption requests may be transmitted
to the Transfer Agent by telephone or by mail, in accordance with the
instructions provided in the Shareholder Account Manual. Redemptions will be
effected at the net asset value next determined after the Transfer Agent has
received the request in good order and any required supporting documentation
(less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge for Class B shares or, in
limited circumstances, Class A shares). Redemption requests will not require a
signature guarantee if the redemption proceeds are to be sent either: (i) to the
redeeming shareholder at the shareholder's address of record as maintained by
the Transfer Agent, provided the shareholder's address of record has not been
changed within the preceding thirty days; or (ii) directly to a pre-designated
bank, savings and loan or credit union account ("Pre-Designated Account"). ALL
OTHER REDEMPTION REQUESTS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A SIGNATURE GUARANTEE OF THE
REDEEMING SHAREHOLDER'S SIGNATURE. A signature guarantee can be obtained from
any bank, U.S. trust company, a member firm of a U.S. stock exchange or a
foreign branch of any of the foregoing or other eligible guarantor institutions.
A notary public is not an acceptable guarantor. A shareholder with questions
concerning the Fund's signature guarantee requirement should contact the
Transfer Agent.
    
 
Shareholders may qualify to have redemption proceeds sent to a Pre-Designated
Account by completing the appropriate section of the Account Application at the
end of this Prospectus. Shareholders with Pre-Designated Accounts should request
that redemption proceeds be sent either by bank wire or by check. The minimum
redemption amount for a bank wire is $1,000. Shareholders requesting a bank wire
should allow two business days from the time the redemption request is effected
for the proceeds to be deposited in the shareholder's Pre-Designated Account.
See "How to Redeem Shares -- Other Important Redemption Information."
Shareholders may change their Pre-Designated Accounts only by a letter of
instruction to the Transfer Agent containing all account signatures, each of
which must be guaranteed. The Transfer Agent currently does not charge a bank
wire service fee for each wire redemption sent but reserves the right to do so
in the future. The shareholder's bank may charge a bank wire service fee.
 
REDEMPTIONS BY TELEPHONE. Redemption requests may be made by telephone by
calling the Transfer Agent at the appropriate toll free number provided in the
Shareholder Account Manual. Shareholders who hold certificates for shares may
not redeem by telephone. REDEMPTION REQUESTS MAY NOT BE MADE BY TELEPHONE FOR
THIRTY DAYS FOLLOWING ANY CHANGE OF THE SHAREHOLDER'S ADDRESS OF RECORD.
 
Shareholders automatically have telephone privileges to authorize redemptions.
The Fund, GT Global and the Transfer Agent will not be liable for any loss or
damage for acting in good faith upon instructions received by telephone and
reasonably believed to be genuine. The Fund employs reasonable procedures to
confirm that
 
                               Prospectus Page 27
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
instructions communicated by telephone are genuine prior to acting upon
instructions received by telephone, including requiring some form of personal
identification, providing written confirmation of such transactions, and/or tape
recording of telephone instructions.
 
REDEMPTIONS BY MAIL. Redemption requests should be mailed directly to the
Transfer Agent at the appropriate address provided in the Shareholder Account
Manual. As discussed above, requests for payment of redemption proceeds to a
party other than the shareholder of record and/or requests that redemption
proceeds be mailed to an address other than the shareholder's address of record
require a signature guarantee. In addition, if the shareholder's address of
record has been changed within the preceding thirty days, a signature guarantee
is required. Redemptions of shares for which certificates have been issued must
be accompanied by properly endorsed share certificates.
 
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN. Shareholders owning shares in the Fund with a value
of $10,000 or more may participate in the GT Global Systematic Withdrawal Plan.
A participating shareholder will receive proceeds from monthly, quarterly or
annual redemptions of Fund shares with respect to either Class A or Class B
shares. No contingent deferred sales charge will be imposed on redemptions made
under the Systematic Withdrawal Plan. The minimum withdrawal amount is $100. The
amount or percentage a participating shareholder specifies to be redeemed may
not, on an annualized basis, exceed 12% of the value of the account, as of the
time the shareholder elects to participate in the Systematic Withdrawal Plan. To
participate in the Systematic Withdrawal Plan, investors should complete the
appropriate portion of the Supplemental Application provided at the end of this
Prospectus. Investors should contact their broker/dealers or the Transfer Agent
for more information. With respect to Class A shares, participation in the
Systematic Withdrawal Plan concurrent with purchases of Class A shares of the
Fund may be disadvantageous to investors because of the sales charges involved
and possible tax implications, and therefore is discouraged. In addition,
shareholders who participate in the Systematic Withdrawal Plan should not elect
to reinvest dividends or other distributions in additional Fund shares.
 
   
REDEMPTION FEE. Until May 1, 1998, the Fund will deduct a 2% fee from the
proceeds of all redemptions of Class A shares of the Fund acquired as a result
of the reorganization of the Predecessor Fund into the Fund. The redemption fee
will be paid to the Fund and not to GT Global or the Manager, and is intended to
offset brokerage and other costs the Fund may experience as a result of such
redemptions.
    
 
OTHER IMPORTANT REDEMPTION INFORMATION. A request for redemption will not be
processed until all of the necessary documentation has been received in good
order. A shareholder in doubt as to what documents are required should contact
his broker/dealer or the Transfer Agent.
 
Except in extraordinary circumstances and as permitted under the 1940 Act,
payment for shares redeemed by telephone or in writing will be made promptly
after receipt of a redemption request, if in good order, but not later than
seven days after the date the request is executed. Requests for redemption which
are subject to any special conditions or which specify a future or past
effective date cannot be accepted.
 
If the Transfer Agent is requested to redeem shares for which the Fund has not
yet received good payment, the Fund may delay payment of redemption proceeds
until it has assured itself that good payment has been collected for the
purchase of the shares. In the case of purchases by check it can take up to 10
business days to confirm that the check has cleared and good payment has been
received. Redemption proceeds will not be delayed when shares have been paid for
by wire or when the investor's account holds a sufficient number of shares for
which funds already have been collected.
 
The Fund may redeem the shares of any shareholder whose account is reduced to
less than $500 in value through redemptions or other action by the shareholder.
Written notice will be given to the shareholder at least 60 days prior to the
date fixed for such redemption, during which time the shareholder may increase
his or her holdings to an aggregate amount of $500 or more (with a minimum
purchase of $100).
 
                               Prospectus Page 28
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                           SHAREHOLDER ACCOUNT MANUAL
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
Shareholders are encouraged to place purchase, exchange and redemption orders
through their broker/dealers. Shareholders also may place such orders directly
through the Transfer Agent in accordance with this Manual. See "How to Invest,"
"How to Make Exchanges," "How to Redeem Shares" and "Dividends, Other
Distributions and Federal Income Taxation" for more information.
    
 
The Fund's Transfer Agent is GT GLOBAL INVESTOR SERVICES, INC.
 
INVESTMENTS BY MAIL
 
Send completed Account Application (if initial purchase) or letter stating Fund
name, class of shares, shareholder's registered name and account number (if
subsequent purchase) with a check to:
 
   
    GT Global Mutual Funds
    P.O. Box 7345
    San Francisco, California 94120-7345
    
 
INVESTMENTS BY BANK WIRE
 
   
An investor opening a new account should call 1-800-223-2138 to obtain an
account number. WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF PURCHASE A COMPLETED ACCOUNT APPLICATION
CONTAINING THE INVESTOR'S CERTIFIED TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER MUST BE SENT
TO GT GLOBAL AT THE ADDRESS PROVIDED ABOVE UNDER "INVESTMENTS BY MAIL." Wire
instructions must state Fund name, class of shares, shareholder's registered
name and account number. Bank wires should be sent through the Federal Reserve
Bank Wire System to:
    
 
    WELLS FARGO BANK N.A.
    ABA 121000248
    Attn: GT GLOBAL
         Account No. 4023-050701
 
EXCHANGES BY TELEPHONE
 
   
Call the Transfer Agent at 1-800-223-2138
    
 
EXCHANGES BY MAIL
 
Send complete instructions, including name of Fund exchanging from, class of
shares, amount of exchange, name of the GT Global Mutual Fund exchanging into,
shareholder's registered name and account number, to:
 
   
    GT Global Mutual Funds
    P.O. Box 7893
    San Francisco, California 94120-7893
    
 
REDEMPTIONS BY TELEPHONE
 
   
Call the Transfer Agent at 1-800-223-2138
    
 
REDEMPTIONS BY MAIL
 
Send complete instructions, including name of Fund, class of shares, amount of
redemption, shareholder's registered name and account number, to:
 
   
    GT Global Investor Services, Inc.
    P.O. Box 7893
    San Francisco, California 94120-7893
    
 
OVERNIGHT MAIL
 
   
Overnight mail services do not deliver to post office boxes. To send purchase,
exchange or redemption orders by overnight mail, follow the above instructions
but send to the following:
    
 
   
    GT Global Investor Services, Inc.
    California Plaza
    2121 N. California Boulevard
    Suite 450
    Walnut Creek, California 94596
    
 
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
 
   
Shareholders with additional questions regarding purchase, exchange and
redemption procedures may call the Transfer Agent at 1-800-223-2138.
    
 
                               Prospectus Page 29
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                         CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The Fund calculates its net asset value as of the close of regular trading on
the NYSE (currently 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, unless weather, equipment failure or
other factors contribute to an earlier closing time) each Business Day. The
Fund's net asset value per share is computed by determining the value of its
total assets (the securities it holds plus any cash or other assets, including
dividends and interest accrued but not yet received), subtracting all of its
liabilities (including accrued expenses), and dividing the result by the total
number of shares outstanding. Net asset value is determined separately for each
class of the Fund's shares.
 
Equity securities are valued at the last sale price on the exchange or in the
over-the-counter market in which the securities are primarily traded, as of the
close of business on the day the securities are being valued or, lacking any
sales, at the last available bid price. Long-term obligations are valued at the
mean of representative quoted bid and asked prices for the securities or, if
such prices are not available, at prices for securities of comparable maturity,
quality and type; however, when the Manager deems it appropriate, prices
obtained from a bond pricing service will be used. Short-term debt investments
are amortized to maturity based on their cost, adjusted for foreign exchange
translation and market fluctuations, provided such valuations represent fair
value. When market quotations for futures and options positions held by the Fund
are readily available, those positions are valued based upon such quotations.
 
Securities and other assets for which market quotations are not readily
available are valued at fair value determined in good faith by or under the
direction of the Company's Board of Directors. Securities and other assets
quoted in foreign currencies are valued in U.S. dollars based on the prevailing
exchange rates on that day.
 
The Fund's portfolio securities, from time to time, may be listed primarily on
foreign exchanges or over-the-counter dealer markets that trade on days when the
NYSE is closed (such as a Saturday). As a result, the net asset value of the
Fund may be significantly affected by such trading on days when shareholders
cannot purchase or redeem Fund shares.
The different service and distribution fees borne by each class of shares will
result in different net asset values and dividends. The per share net asset
value of the Class B shares generally will be lower than that of the Class A
shares because of the higher service and distribution fees borne by the Class B
shares. The per share net asset value of the Advisor Class shares of the Fund
generally will be higher than that of the Class A and Class B shares because of
the absence of any service and distribution fees applicable to the Advisor Class
shares. It is expected, however, that the net asset value per share of Class A
and Class B shares will tend to converge immediately after the payment of
dividends, which will differ by approximately the amount of the service and
distribution fee accrual differential between the classes.
 
                               Prospectus Page 30
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                         DIVIDENDS, OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS
                          AND FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS. The Fund annually declares and pays as a
dividend all of its net investment income, if any, which includes dividends,
accrued interest and earned discount (including both original issue and market
discounts) less applicable expenses. The Fund also annually distributes
substantially all of its realized net capital gains and net gains from foreign
currency transactions, if any. The Fund may make an additional dividend or other
distribution if necessary to avoid a 4% excise tax on certain undistributed
income and gain.
 
Dividends and other distributions paid by the Fund with respect to all classes
of its shares are calculated in the same manner and at the same time. The per
share income dividends on Class B shares will be lower than the per share income
dividends on Class A shares as a result of the higher service and distribution
fees applicable to Class B shares; and the per share income dividends on both
such classes of shares will be lower than the per share income dividends on the
Advisor Class shares as a result of the absence of any service and distribution
fees applicable to Advisor Class shares. SHAREHOLDERS MAY ELECT:
 
/ / to have all dividends and other distributions automatically reinvested in
    additional Fund shares of the distributing class (or in shares of the
    corresponding class of other GT Global Mutual Funds); or
 
/ / to receive dividends in cash and have other distributions automatically
    reinvested in additional Fund shares of the distributing class (or in shares
    of the corresponding class of other GT Global Mutual Funds); or
 
/ / to receive other distributions in cash and have dividends automatically
    reinvested in additional Fund shares of the distributing class (or in shares
    of the corresponding class of other GT Global Mutual Funds); or
 
/ / to receive dividends and other distributions in cash.
 
Automatic reinvestments in additional shares are made at net asset value without
imposition of a sales charge. IF NO ELECTION IS MADE BY A SHAREHOLDER, ALL
DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY REINVESTED IN ADDITIONAL
FUND SHARES OF THE DISTRIBUTING CLASS. Reinvestments in another GT Global Mutual
Fund may only be directed to an account with the identical shareholder
registration and account number. These elections may be changed by a shareholder
at any time; to be effective with respect to a distribution, the shareholder or
the shareholder's broker must contact the Transfer Agent by mail or telephone at
least 15 Business Days prior to the payment date. THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX
CONSEQUENCES OF DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS ARE THE SAME WHETHER THEY ARE
RECEIVED IN CASH OR REINVESTED IN ADDITIONAL SHARES.
 
Any dividend or other distribution paid by the Fund has the effect of reducing
the net asset value per share on the ex-distribution date by the amount thereof.
Therefore, a dividend or other distribution paid shortly after a purchase of
shares would represent, in substance, a return of capital to the shareholder (to
the extent the distribution is paid on the shares so purchased), even though
subject to income tax, as discussed below.
 
   
TAXES. The Fund intends to continue to qualify for treatment as a regulated
investment company under the Code. In each taxable year that the Fund so
qualifies, the Fund (but not its shareholders) will be relieved of federal
income tax on that part of its investment company taxable income (consisting
generally of net investment income, net gains from certain foreign currency
transactions and net short-term capital gain) and net capital gain (i.e., the
excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) that is
distributed to its shareholders.
    
 
Dividends from the Fund's investment company taxable income (whether paid in
cash or reinvested in additional shares) are taxable to its shareholders as
ordinary income to the extent of its earnings and profits. Distributions of the
Fund's net capital gain, when designated as such, are taxable to its
shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long they have held
their Fund shares and whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares.
 
   
The Fund provides federal tax information to its shareholders annually,
including information about
    
 
                               Prospectus Page 31
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
   
dividends and capital gain distributions paid during the preceding year and,
under certain circumstances, the shareholders' respective shares of any foreign
taxes paid by the Fund, in which event each shareholder would be required to
include in his or her gross income his or her pro rata share of those taxes but
might be entitled to claim a credit or deduction for them.
    
 
   
The information regarding capital gain distributions designates the portions of
those distributions that are subject to (1) the 20% maximum rate of tax (10% for
investors in the 15% marginal tax bracket) enacted by the Taxpayer Relief Act of
1997 ("Tax Act"), which applies to gain on securities held for more than 18
months, and (2) the 28% maximum tax rate, applicable to gain on securities held
for more than 12 and up to 18 months (which, prior to enactment of the Tax Act,
applied to all capital gain on securities held for more than one year).
    
 
The Fund must withhold 31% from dividends, capital gain distributions and
redemption proceeds payable to any individuals and certain other noncorporate
shareholders who have not furnished to the Fund a correct taxpayer
identification number or a properly completed claim for exemption on Form W-8 or
W-9. Withholding at that rate also is required from dividends and capital gain
distributions payable to such shareholders who otherwise are subject to backup
withholding. Fund accounts opened via a bank wire purchase (see "How to Invest
- -- Purchases Through the Distributor") are considered to have uncertified
taxpayer identification numbers unless a completed Form W-8 or W-9 or Account
Application is received by the Transfer Agent within seven days after the
purchase. A shareholder should contact the Transfer Agent if the shareholder is
uncertain whether a proper taxpayer identification number is on file with the
Fund.
 
A redemption of Fund shares may result in taxable gain or loss to the redeeming
shareholder, depending upon whether the redemption proceeds are more or less
than the shareholder's adjusted basis for the redeemed shares (which normally
includes any initial sales charge paid on Class A shares). An exchange of Fund
shares for shares of another GT Global Mutual Fund generally will have similar
tax consequences. However, special tax rules apply when a shareholder (1)
disposes of Class A shares through a redemption or exchange within 90 days after
purchase and (2) subsequently acquires Class A shares of the Fund or of any
other GT Global Mutual Fund on which an initial sales charge normally is imposed
without paying that sales charge due to the reinstatement privilege or exchange
privilege. In these cases, any gain on the disposition of the original Class A
shares will be increased, or loss decreased, by the amount of the sales charge
paid when those shares were acquired, and that amount will increase the adjusted
basis of the shares subsequently acquired. In addition, if Fund shares are
purchased within 30 days before or after redeeming other Fund shares (regardless
of class) at a loss, all or a part of the loss will not be deductible and
instead will increase the basis of the newly purchased shares.
 
The foregoing is only a summary of some of the important federal tax
considerations generally affecting the Fund and its shareholders. See "Taxes" in
the Statement of Additional Information for a further discussion. There may be
other federal, state, local or foreign tax considerations applicable to a
particular investor. Prospective investors therefore are urged to consult their
tax advisers.
 
                               Prospectus Page 32
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The Company's Board of Directors has overall responsibility for the operation of
the Fund. Pursuant to such responsibility, the Board has approved contracts with
various financial organizations to provide, among other things, day to day
management services required by the Fund. See "Directors and Executive Officers"
in the Statement of Additional Information for a complete description of the
Directors of the Company.
 
   
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION. Services provided by Chancellor LGT
Asset Management, Inc. (the Manager) as the Fund's investment manager and
administrator include determining the composition of the Fund's portfolio and
placing orders to buy, sell or hold particular securities; furnishing corporate
officers and clerical staff; providing office space, services and equipment; and
supervising all matters relating to the Fund's operation. For these services,
the Fund pays the Manager investment management and administration fees,
computed daily and paid monthly, based on its average daily net assets, at the
annualized rate of .975% on the first $500 million, .95% on the next $500
million, .925% on the next $500 million and .90% on amounts thereafter. This
rate is higher than that paid by most mutual funds. The Manager and GT Global
have undertaken to limit the Fund's expenses (exclusive of brokerage
commissions, taxes, interest and extraordinary expenses) to the annual rate of
2.00% and 2.50% of the average daily net assets of the Fund's Class A and Class
B shares, respectively. These undertakings may be changed or eliminated in the
future.
    
 
The Manager also serves as the Fund's pricing and accounting agent. For these
services the Manager receives a fee at an annual rate derived by applying 0.03%
to the first $5 billion of assets of GT Global Mutual Funds and 0.02% to the
assets in excess of $5 billion and allocating the result according to the Fund's
average daily net assets.
 
The Manager provides investment management and/or administration services to the
GT Global Mutual Funds. The Manager and its worldwide asset management
affiliates have provided investment management and/or administration services to
institutional, corporate and individual clients around the world since 1969. The
U.S. offices of the Manager are located at 50 California Street, 27th Floor, San
Francisco, CA 94111, and 1166 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036.
 
   
The Manager and its worldwide affiliates, including LGT Bank in Liechtenstein,
compose Liechtenstein Global Trust. Liechtenstein Global Trust is a provider of
global asset management and private banking products and services to individual
and institutional investors. Liechtenstein Global Trust is controlled by the
Prince of Liechtenstein Foundation, which serves as a parent organization for
the various business enterprises of the Princely Family of Liechtenstein. The
principal business address of the Prince of Liechtenstein Foundation is
Herrengasse 12, FL-9490, Vaduz, Liechtenstein.
    
 
   
As of September 30, 1997, the Manager and its worldwide asset management
affiliates managed approximately $62 billion. In the United States, as of
September 30, 1997, the Manager managed or administered approximately $9 billion
of GT Global Funds. As of September 30, 1997, assets entrusted to Liechtenstein
Global Trust totaled approximately $86 billion.
    
 
In addition to the investment resources of its San Francisco and New York
offices, the Manager draws upon the expertise, personnel, data and systems of
other offices of Liechtenstein Global Trust, including investment offices in
Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, and Toronto. In managing
the GT Global Mutual Funds, the Manager employs a team approach, taking
advantage of its investment resources around the world in seeking to achieve the
Fund's investment objective. Many of the GT Global Mutual Funds' portfolio
managers are natives of the countries in which they invest, speak local
languages and/or live or work in the markets they follow.
 
                               Prospectus Page 33
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
The investment professionals primarily responsible for the portfolio management
of the Fund are as follows:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 RESPONSIBILITIES                             BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
       NAME/OFFICE                 FOR THE FUND                                 PAST FIVE YEARS
- --------------------------  --------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>                         <C>
Allan Conway                Portfolio Manager since     Mr. Conway joined Chancellor LGT Asset Management, Inc. (the
 London                      1997                        "Manager") and LGT Asset Management PLC (London), an affiliate
                                                         of the Manager, in January 1997 as Head of Global Emerging
                                                         Market Equities. Based in London, he manages a centralized
                                                         team of global emerging market fund managers. From 1992 to
                                                         1997, Mr. Conway was Director of International Equities at
                                                         Hermes Investment Management, and from 1982 to 1992 was a
                                                         Portfolio Manager, and eventually overall Head of Overseas
                                                         Equities, at Provident Mutual.
 
Michael Mabbutt             Portfolio Manager since     Mr. Mabbutt joined Chancellor LGT Asset Management, Inc. (the
 London                      1997                        "Manager") and LGT Asset Management PLC (London), an affiliate
                                                         of the Manager, in December 1996. He was appointed Head of
                                                         Global Emerging Market Debt for the Manager in April 1997.
                                                         Prior to joining the Manager, he was a Senior Portfolio
                                                         Manager for global fixed income at Baring Asset Management in
                                                         London from 1992 to 1996. At Baring Asset Management, he was
                                                         responsible for creating the emerging market debt process as
                                                         head of the five member Emerging Market Fixed Income Strategy
                                                         Group.
 
Cheng-Hock Lau              Portfolio Manager since     Mr. Lau has been Chief Investment Officer for Developed Market
 New York                    1997                        Debt for the Manager since November 1996, and was a Senior
                                                         Portfolio Manager for global/international fixed income for
                                                         the Manager from July 1995 to November 1996. Mr. Lau was a
                                                         Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager for
                                                         Fiduciary Trust Company International from 1993 to 1995, and
                                                         Vice President at Bankers Trust Company from 1991 to 1993.
</TABLE>
    
 
In placing securities orders for the Fund's portfolio transactions, the Manager
seeks to obtain the best net results. Consistent with its obligation to obtain
the best net results, the Manager may consider a broker/dealer's sale of shares
of the GT Global Mutual Funds as a factor in considering through whom portfolio
transactions will be effected. Brokerage transactions may be executed through
affiliates of Liechtenstein Global Trust.
 
   
DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES. GT Global is the distributor of the Fund's Class A
and Class B shares. GT Global is a subsidiary of Liechtenstein Global Trust with
offices at 50 California Street, 27th Floor, San Francisco, California 94111. As
distributor, GT Global collects the sales charges imposed on purchases of Class
A shares and any contingent deferred sales charges that may be imposed on
certain redemptions on Class A or Class B shares. GT Global reallows a portion
of the sales charge on Class A shares to broker/dealers that have sold such
shares in accordance with the schedule set forth above under "How to Invest." GT
Global also pays a commission equal to 4.00% of the amount invested to
broker/dealers who sell Class B shares. A commission is not paid on exchanges or
certain reinvestments in Class B shares. In addition, with respect to both
classes of shares, GT Global makes ongoing payments to broker/dealers for
distribution and service activities in accordance with the Rule 12b-1 plans
described below.
    
 
The Fund reserves the right to suspend the offering of its shares upon the
advice of the Manager that doing so is in the best interests of the portfolio
management process.
 
                               Prospectus Page 34
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
GT Global, at its own expense, may provide additional promotional incentives to
brokers that sell shares of the Fund and/or shares of the other GT Global Mutual
Funds. In some instances additional compensation or promotional incentives may
be offered to brokers that have sold or may sell significant amounts of shares
during specified periods of time. Such compensation and incentives may include,
but are not limited to, cash, merchandise, trips and financial assistance to
broker/ dealers in connection with preapproved conferences or seminars, sales or
training programs for invited sales personnel, payment for travel expenses
(including meals and lodging) incurred by sales personnel and members of their
families or other invited guests to various locations for such seminars or
training programs, seminars for the public, advertising and sales campaigns
regarding one or more of the GT Global Mutual Funds, and/ or other events
sponsored by the broker/dealers. In addition, GT Global makes ongoing payments
to brokerage firms, financial institutions (including banks) and others that
facilitate the administration and servicing of shareholder accounts.
 
Under a plan of distribution adopted by the Company's Board of Directors
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, with respect to the Fund's Class A
shares ("Class A Plan"), the Fund may pay GT Global a service fee at the
annualized rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund's
Class A shares for its expenditures incurred in servicing and maintaining
shareholder accounts. Under the Class A Plan for the Fund, the Fund may also pay
GT Global a distribution fee at the annualized rate of up to 0.50% of the
average daily net assets of the Fund's Class A shares, less any amounts paid by
the Fund as the aforementioned service fee for its expenditures in providing
services as distributor. All expenses for which GT Global is reimbursed under
the Class A Plan will have been incurred within one year of such reimbursement.
 
Pursuant to a separate plan of distribution adopted with respect to the Fund's
Class B shares ("Class B Plan"), the Fund may pay GT Global a service fee at the
annualized rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund's
Class B shares for its expenditures incurred in servicing and maintaining
shareholder accounts, and may pay GT Global a distribution fee at the annualized
rate of up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets of the Fund's Class B shares
for its expenditures incurred in providing services as distributor. Expenses
incurred under the Class B Plan in excess of 1.00% annually may be carried
forward for reimbursement in subsequent years as long as that Plan continues in
effect.
 
GT Global's service and distribution expenses covered by the Plans include the
payment of ongoing commissions; the cost of any additional compensation paid by
GT Global to brokers/dealers; the costs of printing and mailing to prospective
investors prospectuses and other materials relating to the Fund; the costs of
developing, printing, distributing and publishing advertisements and other sales
literature; and allocated costs relating to GT Global's distribution activities,
including, among other things, employee salaries, bonuses and other overhead
expenses. In addition, its expenses under the Class B Plan include payment of
initial sales commissions to broker/ dealers and interest on any unreimbursed
amounts carried forward thereunder.
 
The Glass-Steagall Act and other applicable laws, among other things, generally
prohibit federally chartered or supervised banks from engaging in the business
of underwriting or distributing securities. Accordingly, GT Global intends to
engage banks (if at all) only to perform administrative and shareholder
servicing functions. Banks and broker/ dealer affiliates of banks may also
execute dealer agreements with GT Global for the purpose of selling shares of
the Fund. If a bank were prohibited from so acting, its shareholder clients
would be permitted to remain shareholders, and alternative means for continuing
the servicing of such shareholders would be sought. It is not expected that
shareholders would suffer any adverse financial consequences as a result of any
of these occurrences.
 
                               Prospectus Page 35
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                               OTHER INFORMATION
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
CONFIRMATIONS AND REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS. Each time a transaction is made that
affects a shareholder's account in the Fund, the shareholder will receive from
the Transfer Agent a confirmation statement reflecting the transaction.
Confirmations for transactions effected pursuant to the Fund's Automatic
Investment Plan, Systematic Withdrawal Plan, and automatic dividend reinvestment
program may be provided quarterly. Shortly after the end of the Fund's fiscal
year on October 31 and fiscal half-year on April 30 of each year, shareholders
receive an annual and semiannual report, respectively. In addition, the federal
income tax status of distributions made by the Fund to shareholders is reported
after the end of each calendar year on Form 1099-DIV. Under certain
circumstances, duplicate mailings of the foregoing reports to the same household
may be consolidated.
    
 
   
ORGANIZATION OF THE COMPANY. The Company was organized as a Maryland corporation
on October 29, 1987. From time to time, the Company has established and may
continue to establish other funds, each corresponding to a distinct investment
portfolio and a distinct series of the Company's common stock. Shares of the
Fund are entitled to one vote per share (with proportional voting for fractional
shares) and are freely transferable. Shareholders have no preemptive or
conversion rights.
    
 
   
On any matter submitted to a vote of shareholders, shares of the Fund will be
voted by the Fund's shareholders individually when the matter affects the
specific interest of the Fund only, such as approval of its investment
management arrangements. In addition, each class of shares of the Fund has
exclusive voting rights with respect to its distribution plan. The shares of the
Company's funds will be voted in the aggregate on other matters, such as the
election of Directors and ratification of the Board of Directors' selection of
the Company's independent accountants.
    
 
Normally there will be no annual meeting of shareholders in any year, except as
required under the 1940 Act. The Company would be required to hold a
shareholders' meeting in the event that at any time less than a majority of the
Directors holding office had been elected by shareholders. Directors shall
continue to hold office until their successors are elected and have qualified.
Shares of the Company's funds do not have cumulative voting rights, which means
that the holders of a majority of the shares voting for the election of
Directors can elect all the Directors. A Director may be removed upon a majority
vote of the shareholders qualified to vote in the election. Shareholders holding
10% of the Company's outstanding voting securities may call a meeting of
shareholders for the purpose of voting upon the question of removal of any
Director or for any other purpose. The 1940 Act requires the Company to assist
shareholders in calling such a meeting.
 
Pursuant to the Company's Articles of Incorporation, it may issue six billion
shares. Of this number, 300 million shares have been classified as shares of the
Fund; 100 million shares have been classified as Class A shares of the Fund, 100
million shares have been classified as Class B shares of the Fund, and 100
million shares have been classified as Advisor Class shares of the Fund. This
amount may be increased from time to time in the discretion of the Board of
Directors. Each share of the Fund represents an interest in the Fund only, has a
par value of $0.0001 per share, represents an equal proportionate interest in
the Fund with other shares of the Fund and is entitled to such dividends and
other distributions out of the income earned and gain realized on the assets
belonging to the Fund as may be declared at the discretion of the Board of
Directors. Each Class A, Class B and Advisor Class share of the Fund is equal as
to earnings, assets and voting privileges, except as noted above, and each class
bears the expenses, if any, related to the distribution of its shares. Shares of
the Fund when issued are fully paid and nonassessable.
 
SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES. Shareholder inquiries may be made by calling the Fund
toll free at (800) 223-2138 or by writing to the Fund at 50 California Street,
27th Floor, San Francisco, California 94111.
 
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION. The Fund, from time to time, may include information on
its investment results and/or comparisons of its investment results to various
unmanaged indices or results of other
 
                               Prospectus Page 36
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
mutual funds or groups of mutual funds in advertisements, sales literature or
reports furnished to present or prospective shareholders.
 
In such materials, the Fund may quote its average annual total return
("Standardized Return"). Standardized Return is calculated separately for each
class of shares of the Fund. Standardized Return shows percentage rates
reflecting the average annual change in the value of an assumed investment in
the Fund at the end of one-, five- and ten-year periods, reduced by the maximum
applicable sales charge imposed on sales of Fund shares. If a one-, five- and/or
ten-year period has not yet elapsed, data will be provided as of the end of a
shorter period corresponding to the life of the Fund. Standardized Return
assumes reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions.
 
In addition, in order to more completely represent the Fund's performance or
more accurately compare such performance to other measures of investment return,
the Fund also may include in advertisements, sales literature and shareholder
reports other total return performance data ("Non-Standardized Return").
Non-Standardized return reflects percentage rates of return encompassing all
elements of total return (e.g., income and capital appreciation or
depreciation); it assumes reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions.
Non-Standardized Return may be quoted for the same or different periods as those
for which Standardized Return is quoted; it may consist of an aggregate or
average annual percentage rate of return, actual year-by-year rates or any
combination thereof. Non-Standardized Return may or may not take sales charges
into account; performance data calculated without taking the effect of sales
charges into account will be higher than data including the effect of such
charges.
 
The Fund's performance data reflects past performance and is not necessarily
indicative of future results. The Fund's investment results will vary from time
to time depending upon market conditions, the composition of its portfolio and
its operating expenses. These factors and possible differences in calculation
methods should be considered when comparing the Fund's investment results with
those published for other investment companies, other investment vehicles and
unmanaged indices. The Fund's results also should be considered relative to the
risks associated with its investment objective and policies. See "Investment
Results" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
The Fund's annual report contains additional information with respect to its
performance. The annual report is available to investors upon request and free
of charge.
 
TRANSFER AGENT. Shareholder servicing, reporting and general transfer agent
functions for the Fund are performed by GT Global Investor Services, Inc. The
Transfer Agent is an affiliate of the Manager and GT Global and a subsidiary of
Liechtenstein Global Trust, and maintains its offices at California Plaza, 2121
North California Boulevard, Suite 450, Walnut Creek, California 94596.
 
CUSTODIAN. State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 Franklin Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110 is custodian of the Fund's assets.
 
   
COUNSEL. The law firm of Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP, 1800 Massachusetts Avenue,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036-1800, acts as counsel to the Company and the Fund.
Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP also acts as counsel to the Manager, GT Global and
the Transfer Agent.
    
 
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS. The Company's and the Fund's independent accountants
are Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., One Post Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts
02109. Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. conducts an annual audit of the Fund, assists in
the preparation of the Fund's federal and state income tax returns and consults
with the Company and the Fund as to matters of accounting, regulatory filings,
and federal and state income taxation.
 
MULTIPLE TRANSLATIONS OF THE PROSPECTUS. This Prospectus may be translated into
other languages. In the event of any inconsistency or ambiguity as to the
meaning of any word or phrase contained in a translation, the English text shall
prevail.
 
                               Prospectus Page 37
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                                     NOTES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               Prospectus Page 38
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                                     NOTES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               Prospectus Page 39
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                                     NOTES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               Prospectus Page 40
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
   
                                GT GLOBAL FUNDS
    
 
   
  GT  GLOBAL  OFFERS A  BROAD  RANGE OF  FUNDS  TO COMPLEMENT  MANY INVESTORS'
  PORTFOLIOS. FOR MORE  INFORMATION AND A  PROSPECTUS ON ANY  GT GLOBAL  FUND,
  INCLUDING  FEES,  EXPENSES  AND  THE RISKS  OF  GLOBAL  AND  EMERGING MARKET
  INVESTING AND THE RISKS OF  INVESTING IN RELATED INDUSTRIES, PLEASE  CONTACT
  YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISER OR CALL GT GLOBAL DIRECTLY AT 1-800-824-1580.
    
 
GROWTH FUNDS
 
/ / GLOBALLY DIVERSIFIED FUNDS
 
   
GT GLOBAL NEW DIMENSION FUND
    
   
Captures global growth opportunities by investing directly in the six GT Global
Theme Funds
    
 
GT GLOBAL WORLDWIDE GROWTH FUND
Invests around the world, including the U.S.
 
GT GLOBAL INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND
Provides portfolio diversity by investing outside
the U.S.
 
GT GLOBAL EMERGING MARKETS FUND
Gives access to the growth potential of developing economies
 
GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
   
Invests in debt and equity securities of developing market issuers
    
 
/ / GLOBAL THEME FUNDS
 
GT GLOBAL CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND
SERVICES FUND
Invests in companies that manufacture, market, retail, or distribute consumer
products or services
 
GT GLOBAL FINANCIAL SERVICES FUND
Focuses on the worldwide opportunities from the demand for financial services
and products
 
GT GLOBAL HEALTH CARE FUND
Invests in growing health care industries worldwide
 
GT GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUND
Seeks companies that build, improve or maintain a country's infrastructure
 
GT GLOBAL NATURAL RESOURCES FUND
Concentrates on companies that own, explore or develop natural resources
 
GT GLOBAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS FUND
Invests in companies worldwide that develop, manufacture or sell
telecommunications services or equipment
 
/ / REGIONALLY DIVERSIFIED FUNDS
 
GT GLOBAL NEW PACIFIC GROWTH FUND
Offers access to the emerging and established markets of the Pacific Rim,
excluding Japan
 
GT GLOBAL EUROPE GROWTH FUND
Focuses on investment opportunities in the new, unified Europe
 
GT GLOBAL LATIN AMERICA GROWTH FUND
Invests in the emerging markets of Latin America
 
/ / SINGLE COUNTRY FUNDS
 
GT GLOBAL AMERICA SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND
Invests in equity securities of small U.S. companies
 
GT GLOBAL AMERICA MID CAP GROWTH FUND
Concentrates on medium-sized companies in the U.S.
 
GT GLOBAL AMERICA VALUE FUND
Concentrates on equity securities of large cap U.S. companies believed to be
undervalued
 
GT GLOBAL JAPAN GROWTH FUND
Provides U.S. investors with direct access to the Japanese market
 
GROWTH AND INCOME FUND
 
GT GLOBAL GROWTH & INCOME FUND
Invests in blue-chip stocks and government bonds from around the world
 
INCOME FUNDS
 
GT GLOBAL GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND
Earns monthly income from global government securities
 
GT GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
Allocates its assets among debt securities from the U.S., developed foreign
countries and emerging markets
 
GT GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND
Invests in debt securities in emerging markets
 
GT GLOBAL FLOATING RATE FUND
Invests primarily in senior secured floating rate loans that have the potential
to achieve a high level of current income
 
MONEY MARKET FUND
 
GT GLOBAL DOLLAR FUND
Invests in high quality, U.S. dollar-denominated money market securities
worldwide for stability and preservation of capital
 
[LOGO]
 
  NO  DEALER, SALES REPRESENTATIVE OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE
  ANY INFORMATION  OR  TO  MAKE  ANY  REPRESENTATION  NOT  CONTAINED  IN  THIS
  PROSPECTUS  AND, IF GIVEN  OR MADE, SUCH  INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST
  NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY G.T. INVESTMENT FUNDS, INC.,
  GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, CHANCELLOR LGT ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.  OR
  GT  GLOBAL, INC.  THIS PROSPECTUS  DOES NOT CONSTITUTE  AN OFFER  TO SELL OR
  SOLICITATION OF ANY OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY
  JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER IN SUCH
  JURISDICTION.
   
                                                            GTDPR711060M.614
    
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND:
                                 ADVISOR CLASS
 
                         PROSPECTUS -- NOVEMBER 1, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND (the "Fund") primarily seeks long-term capital
appreciation. Its secondary investment objective is income, to the extent
consistent with seeking capital appreciation. The Fund normally invests
substantially all of its assets in issuers in the developing (or "emerging")
markets of Asia, Europe, Latin America and elsewhere. A majority of the Fund's
assets ordinarily is invested in emerging market equity securities. The Fund
also invests in emerging market debt securities, which are selected based on
their potential to provide a combination of capital appreciation and current
income. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment
objectives.
    
 
The Fund is managed by Chancellor LGT Asset Management, Inc. (the "Manager").
The Manager and its worldwide affiliates are part of Liechtenstein Global Trust,
a provider of global asset management and private banking products and services
to individual and institutional investors.
 
Shares offered by this Prospectus are available for purchase only by certain
investors and are offered at net asset value without the imposition of a front-
end or contingent deferred sales charge or Rule 12b-1 fees.
 
   
The Fund is designed for long-term investors and not as a trading vehicle. The
Fund does not represent a complete investment program, nor is it suitable for
all investors. The Fund may invest significantly in equity and high yield, high
risk ("lower quality") debt securities that are predominantly speculative.
Investments of this type are subject to a greater risk of loss of principal and
interest. The Fund's investments in securities of issuers in developing markets
involves special considerations and risks that are not typically associated with
investments in securities of issuers in the United States or in other more
established markets. Investors should carefully assess the risks associated with
an investment in the Fund.
    
 
This Prospectus sets forth concisely information an investor should know before
investing and should be read carefully and retained for future reference. A
Statement of Additional Information, dated November 1, 1997, has been filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and, as supplemented or amended
from time to time, is incorporated herein by reference. The Statement of
Additional Information is available without charge by writing to the Fund at 50
California Street, 27th Floor, San Francisco, California 94111, or by calling
(800) 824-1580. It is also available, along with other related materials, on the
SEC's Internet web site (http://www.sec.gov).
 
FUND SHARES ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR ENDORSED OR GUARANTEED BY,
ANY BANK, NOR ARE THEY FEDERALLY INSURED OR OTHERWISE PROTECTED BY THE FEDERAL
DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER AGENCY.
 
An investment in the Fund offers the following advantages:
 
/ / Access to Securities Markets Around the World
 
/ / Professional Management by a Leading Manager with Offices in the World's
    Major Markets
 
/ / Automatic Dividend and Other Distribution Reinvestment
 
/ / Exchange Privileges with the Advisor Class of the Other GT Global Mutual
    Funds
 
/ / Portfolio Rebalancing Program
 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CALL
(800) 824-1580 OR CONTACT YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISER.
 
[LOGO]
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
THESE  SECURITIES  HAVE  NOT  BEEN APPROVED  OR  DISAPPROVED  BY  THE SECURITIES
 AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION, NOR  HAS THE  SECURITIES AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION
   PASSED  ON  THE ACCURACY  OR  ADEQUACY OF  THIS  PROSPECTUS.         ANY
             REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                               Prospectus Page 1
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
- ------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              Page
                                                                                            ---------
<S>                                                                                         <C>
Prospectus Summary........................................................................          3
Financial Highlights......................................................................          6
Investment Objectives and Policies........................................................          7
Risk Factors..............................................................................         12
How to Invest.............................................................................         17
How to Make Exchanges.....................................................................         19
How to Redeem Shares......................................................................         20
Shareholder Account Manual................................................................         22
Calculation of Net Asset Value............................................................         23
Dividends, Other Distributions and Federal Income Taxation................................         23
Management................................................................................         25
Other Information.........................................................................         27
</TABLE>
 
                               Prospectus Page 2
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
- ------------------------------------------------------------
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information appearing in the body of this Prospectus.
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>                               <C>
The Fund:                                         The  Fund  is  a non-diversified  series  of  G.T. Investment  Funds,  Inc. (the
                                                  "Company").
 
Investment Objectives:         The Fund's  primary  investment  objective  is  long-term  capital
                               appreciation;  its secondary  objective is  income, to  the extent
                               consistent with seeking capital appreciation.
 
Principal Investments:         The Fund ordinarily invests a  majority of its assets in  emerging
                               market  equity securities and  also may invest  in emerging market
                               debt securities.
 
Principal Risk Factors:        There is no assurance  that the Fund  will achieve its  investment
                               objectives.  The Fund's net asset  value per share will fluctuate,
                               reflecting fluctuations  in  the  market value  of  its  portfolio
                               holdings.
 
                               The  Fund invests  in foreign  securities. Investments  in foreign
                               securities  involve  risks  relating  to  political  and  economic
                               developments abroad and the differences between the regulations to
                               which  U.S. and  foreign issuers  are subject.  Individual foreign
                               economies also may differ favorably  or unfavorably from the  U.S.
                               economy.  Changes in  foreign currency exchange  rates will affect
                               the Fund's  net  asset  value,  earnings,  and  gains  and  losses
                               realized  on sales of securities.  Securities of foreign companies
                               may be less liquid  and their prices more  volatile than those  of
                               securities of comparable U.S. companies. The Fund normally invests
                               substantially  all of its  assets in issuers  in emerging markets.
                               Such investments entail greater risks than investing in issuers in
                               developed markets.
 
                               The Fund  may  engage in  certain  foreign currency,  options  and
                               futures transactions to attempt to hedge against the overall level
                               of  investment and  currency risk  associated with  its present or
                               planned investments. Such transactions  involve certain risks  and
                               transaction costs.
 
                               The value of debt securities held by the Fund generally fluctuates
                               inversely  with interest rate  movements. Certain investment grade
                               debt securities may  possess speculative qualities.  The Fund  may
                               invest  in below investment grade  debt securities. Investments of
                               this type are subject to a  greater risk of loss of principal  and
                               interest.
 
                               See "Investment Objectives and Policies" and "Risk Factors."
 
Investment Manager:            The  Manager is part of Liechtenstein  Global Trust, a provider of
                               global asset management and private banking products and  services
                               to   individual  and   institutional  investors,   entrusted  with
                               approximately $86  billion in  total assets  as of  September  30,
                               1997.  The Manager  and its worldwide  asset management affiliates
                               maintain investment offices in  Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London,  New
                               York,  San Francisco,  Singapore, Sydney,  Tokyo and  Toronto. See
                               "Management."
</TABLE>
    
 
                               Prospectus Page 3
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
                                  (Continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>                               <C>
                               Advisor Class shares  are offered through  this Prospectus to  (a)
                               trustees  or  other  fiduciaries  purchasing  shares  for employee
                               benefit plans that  are sponsored  by organizations  that have  at
Advisor Class Shares:          least  1,000 employees;  (b) any account  with assets  of at least
                               $10,000 if  (i) a  financial planner,  trust company,  bank  trust
                               department   or  registered  investment   adviser  has  investment
                               discretion over such  account, and  (ii) the  account holder  pays
                               such  person as compensation for its  advice and other services an
                               annual fee of at least .50% on the assets in the account; (c)  any
                               account  with assets  of a  least $10,000  if (i)  such account is
                               established under  a  "wrap fee"  program,  and (ii)  the  account
                               holder  pays the sponsor of such program an annual fee of at least
                               .50% on the assets in the account; (d) accounts advised by one  of
                               the  companies  composing  or  affiliated  with  the Liechtenstein
                               Global Trust; and (e) any of the companies composing or affiliated
                               with the Liechtenstein Global Trust.
 
Shares Available Through:      Advisor Class  shares of  the Fund's  common stock  are  available
                               through  Financial Advisors (as defined  herein) that have entered
                               into agreements with the Fund's distributor, GT Global, Inc.  ("GT
                               Global")  or certain  of its affiliates.  See "How  to Invest" and
                               "Shareholder Account Manual."
 
Exchange Privileges:           Advisor Class  shares  may only  be  exchanged for  Advisor  Class
                               shares  of  other  GT  Global  Mutual  Funds,  which  are open-end
                               management investment companies advised and/or administered by the
                               Manager. See  "How to  Make  Exchanges" and  "Shareholder  Account
                               Manual."
 
Redemptions:                   Shares  may  be redeemed  through  the Fund's  transfer  agent, GT
                               Global Investor  Services, Inc.  ("Transfer Agent").  See "How  to
                               Redeem Shares" and "Shareholder Account Manual."
 
Dividends and Other            Dividends  and other distributions from net investment income, net
  Distributions:               short- term  capital gain,  net capital  gain and  net gains  from
                               foreign currency transactions, if any, are paid annually.
 
Reinvestment:                  Dividends  and other distributions may be reinvested automatically
                               in Advisor Class shares of the Fund or in Advisor Class shares  of
                               other GT Global Mutual Funds.
 
Net Asset Value:               Expected  to  be quoted  daily in  the  financial section  of most
                               newspapers.
</TABLE>
    
 
                               Prospectus Page 4
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
                                  (Continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
SUMMARY OF INVESTOR COSTS. The expenses and maximum transactions costs
associated with investing in the Advisor Class shares of the Fund are reflected
in the following tables (1):
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                            ADVISOR CLASS
                                                                                                           ----------------
<S>                                                                                                        <C>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION COSTS:
  Maximum sales charge on purchases of shares (as a % of offering price).................................          None
  Sales charges on reinvested distributions to shareholders..............................................          None
  Maximum deferred sales charge (as a % of net asset value at time of purchase or sale, whichever is
    less)................................................................................................          None
  Redemption charges.....................................................................................          None
  Exchange Fees:
    -- On first four exchanges each year.................................................................          None
    -- On each additional exchange.......................................................................     $    7.50
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (2):
  (AS A % OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS)
  Investment management and administration fees..........................................................          0.98%
  12b-1 distribution and service fees....................................................................          None
  Other expenses (after estimated waivers)...............................................................          0.52%
                                                                                                                  -----
Total Fund Operating Expenses............................................................................          1.50%
                                                                                                                  -----
                                                                                                                  -----
</TABLE>
    
 
HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE OF EFFECT OF EXPENSES:
 
An investor would have directly or indirectly paid the following expenses at the
end of the periods shown on a $1,000 investment in the Fund, assuming a 5%
annual return:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            ONE    THREE   FIVE     TEN
                                                                                            YEAR   YEARS   YEARS   YEARS
                                                                                            ----   -----   -----   -----
<S>                                                                                         <C>    <C>     <C>     <C>
Advisor Class Shares......................................................................  $15    $ 46    $ 82    $180
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------
(1) THESE TABLES ARE INTENDED TO ASSIST INVESTORS IN UNDERSTANDING THE VARIOUS
    COSTS AND EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH INVESTING IN THE FUND. THE "HYPOTHETICAL
    EXAMPLE" IS NOT A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES. THE FUND'S
    ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE MORE OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN. The tables and the
    assumption in the example of a 5% annual return are required by regulations
    of the SEC applicable to all mutual funds. The 5% annual return is not a
    prediction of and does not represent the Fund's projected or actual
    performance.
 
   
(2) Expenses are estimated based on the fees and expenses the Fund is expected
    to incur during its initial year as an open-end fund and the Manager's and
    GT Global's undertaking to limit the Fund's expenses (exclusive of brokerage
    commissions, taxes, interest and extraordinary expenses) to the annual rate
    of 1.50% of the average daily net assets of the Fund's Advisor Class shares.
    Without waivers, "Other expenses" and "Total Fund Operating Expenses" are
    estimated to be 0.65% and 1.63%, respectively, for Advisor Class shares.
    "Other expenses" include custody, transfer agent, legal and audit fees and
    other operating expenses. See "Management" herein and in the Statement of
    Additional Information for more information. Investors purchasing Advisor
    Class shares through financial planners, trust companies, bank trust
    departments or registered investment advisers, or under a "wrap fee"
    program, will be subject to additional fees charged by such entities or by
    the sponsors of such programs. Where any account advised by one of the
    companies composing or affiliated with Liechtenstein Global Trust invests in
    Advisor Class shares of the Fund, such account shall not be subject to
    duplicative advisory fees.
    
 
                               Prospectus Page 5
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
The table below provides condensed financial information concerning income and
capital changes for one share of G.T. Global Developing Markets Fund, Inc. (the
"Predecessor Fund") for the periods shown. This information is supplemented by
the financial statements and accompanying notes appearing in the Statement of
Additional Information. The financial information in the table below has been
audited by Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent accountants. The Predecessor
Fund was a closed-end investment company whose single class of shares traded on
the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). On October 31, 1997, the Fund, which had
no previous operating history, acquired the assets and assumed the liabilities
of the Predecessor Fund. On that date, all shareholders of the Predecessor Fund
received Class A shares of the Fund. The fees and expenses of the Fund will
differ from those of the Predecessor Fund. The Fund's fiscal year end will be
October 31, rather than December 31, which was the Predecessor Fund's fiscal
year end.
    
 
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
            (SUCCESSOR TO G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.)
 
   
  (For the entire period shown, the Predecessor Fund operated as a closed-end
                     investment company traded on the NYSE)
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  YEAR ENDED        JANUARY 11, 1994
                                                               SIX MONTHS        DECEMBER 31,        (COMMENCEMENT
                                                                  ENDED      --------------------  OF OPERATIONS) TO
                                                              JUNE 30, 1997    1996       1995     DECEMBER 31, 1994
                                                              -------------  ---------  ---------  ------------------
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>        <C>        <C>
Per Share Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period........................    $   13.84    $   11.60  $   12.44      $    15.00
                                                              -------------  ---------  ---------      ----------
Income from investment operations:
  Net investment income.....................................         0.20         0.53       0.72            0.35
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments....         1.35         2.19      (0.84)          (2.46)
                                                              -------------  ---------  ---------      ----------
    Net increase (decrease) from investment operations......         1.55         2.72      (0.12)          (2.11)
                                                              -------------  ---------  ---------      ----------
Distributions to shareholders:
  From net investment income................................           --        (0.48)     (0.72)          (0.35)
  From net realized gain on investments.....................           --           --         --           (0.10)
                                                              -------------  ---------  ---------      ----------
    Total distributions.....................................           --        (0.48)     (0.72)          (0.45)
                                                              -------------  ---------  ---------      ----------
Net asset value, end of period..............................    $   15.39    $   13.84  $   11.60      $    12.44
                                                              -------------  ---------  ---------      ----------
                                                              -------------  ---------  ---------      ----------
Total investment return (based on net asset value) (a)......        11.20%+      23.59%     (0.95)%         (14.07    )%+
 
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period (in 000's)........................  $   560,599    $ 504,012  $ 422,348  $      452,872
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets........         2.75%++      4.07%      6.33%          2.75%    ++
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
  With expense reductions...................................         1.82%++      1.82%      1.77%          2.01%    ++
  Without expense reductions................................         1.85%++      1.85%      1.80%          2.01%    ++
Portfolio turnover rate.....................................          217%++       138%        75%            56%
Average commission rate per share paid on portfolio
 transactions...............................................  $    0.0019    $  0.0022        N/A             N/A
<FN>
- ------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
+   Not annualized
 
++  Annualized
 
N/A Not Applicable
 
   
(a) Total investment return differs from the Predecessor Fund's total investment
    return based on market value.
    
 
                               Prospectus Page 6
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                             INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES
                                  AND POLICIES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
The Fund's primary investment objective is long-term capital appreciation; its
secondary objective is income, to the extent consistent with seeking capital
appreciation. The Fund normally invests substantially all of its assets in
issuers in the developing (or "emerging") markets of Asia, Europe, Latin America
and elsewhere. A majority of the Fund's assets ordinarily are invested in
emerging market equity securities. The Fund may invest in the following types of
equity securities: common stock, preferred stock, securities convertible into
common stock, American Depository Receipts, Global Depository Receipts, rights
and warrants to acquire such securities and substantially similar forms of
equity with comparable risk characteristics. The Fund may also invest in
emerging market debt securities that will be selected based on their potential
to provide a combination of capital appreciation and current income.
    
 
For purposes of the Fund's operations, emerging markets consist of all countries
determined by the Manager to have developing or emerging economies and markets.
These countries generally include every country in the world except the United
States, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and most countries located in
Western Europe. See "Investment Objectives and Policies" in the Statement of
Additional Information for a complete list of all the countries that the Fund
does not currently consider to be emerging markets.
 
For purposes of the Fund's policy of normally investing substantially all of its
assets in issuers in emerging markets, the Fund will consider investment in the
following emerging markets:
 
<TABLE>
<S>               <C>            <C>
  Algeria         Hong Kong      Peru
  Argentina       Hungary        Philippines
  Bolivia         India          Poland
  Botswana        Indonesia      Portugal
  Brazil          Israel         Republic of
  Bulgaria        Ivory Coast    Slovakia
  Chile           Jamaica        Russia
  China           Jordan         Singapore
  Colombia        Kazakhstan     Slovenia
  Costa Rica      Kenya          South Africa
  Cyprus          Lebanon        South Korea
  Czech           Malaysia       Sri Lanka
   Republic       Mauritius      Swaziland
  Dominican       Mexico         Taiwan
   Republic       Morocco        Thailand
  Ecuador         Nicaragua      Turkey
  Egypt           Nigeria        Ukraine
  El Salvador     Oman           Uruguay
  Finland         Pakistan       Venezuela
  Ghana           Panama         Zambia
  Greece          Paraguay       Zimbabwe
</TABLE>
 
Although the Fund considers each of the above-listed countries eligible for
investment, it will not be invested in all such markets at all times. Moreover,
investing in some of those markets currently may not be desirable or feasible,
due to the lack of adequate custody arrangements for the Fund's assets, overly
burdensome repatriation and similar restrictions, the lack of organized and
liquid securities markets, unacceptable political risks or for other reasons.
 
   
As used in this Prospectus, an issuer in an emerging market is an entity (1) for
which the principal securities trading market is an emerging market, as defined
above, (2) that (alone or on a consolidated basis) derives 50% or more of its
total revenues from business in emerging markets, provided that, in the
Manager's view, the value of such issuer's securities will tend to reflect
emerging market developments to a greater extent than developments elsewhere, or
(3) organized under the laws of, or with a principal office in, an emerging
market.
    
 
   
In selecting investments, the Manager seeks to identify those countries and
industries where economic and political factors, including currency movements,
are likely to produce above-average growth
    
 
                               Prospectus Page 7
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
   
rates over the long term. The Manager seeks those emerging markets that have
strongly developing economies and in which the markets are becoming more
sophisticated. The Manager then invests in those companies in such countries and
industries that it believes are best positioned and managed to take advantage of
these economic and political factors. The Manager believes that the issuers of
securities in emerging markets often have sales and earnings growth rates that
exceed those in developed countries and that such growth rates may in turn be
reflected in more rapid share price appreciation.
    
 
As opportunities to invest in securities in other emerging markets develop, the
Fund expects to expand and further broaden the group of emerging markets in
which it invests. In some cases, investments in debt securities could provide
the Fund with access to emerging markets in the early stages of their economic
development, when equity securities are not yet generally available or, in the
Manager's view, do not yet present an acceptable investment alternative. While
the Fund generally is not restricted in the portion of its assets that may be
invested in a single region, under normal conditions its assets will be invested
in issuers in at least four countries, and it will not invest more than 25% of
its assets in issuers in one country. The Fund's holdings of any one foreign
currency together with securities denominated in or indexed to such currency
will not exceed 40% of its assets.
 
   
INVESTMENTS IN DEBT SECURITIES. The Fund may invest up to 50% of its total
assets in the following types of emerging market debt securities: (1) debt
securities issued or guaranteed by governments, their agencies,
instrumentalities or political subdivisions, or by government owned, controlled
or sponsored entities, including central banks (collectively, "Sovereign Debt"),
including Brady Bonds; (2) interests in issuers organized and operated for the
purpose of restructuring the investment characteristics of Sovereign Debt; (3)
debt securities issued by banks and other business entities; and (4) debt
securities denominated in or indexed to the currencies of emerging markets. Debt
securities held by the Fund may take the form of bonds, notes, bills,
debentures, bank debt obligations, short-term paper, loan participations,
assignments and interests issued by entities organized and operated for the
purpose of restructuring the investment characteristics of any of the foregoing.
There is no requirement with respect to the maturity or duration of debt
securities in which the Fund may invest.
    
 
   
There is no limitation on the percentage of the Fund's assets that may be
invested in debt securities that are rated below investment grade. Investment in
below investment grade debt securities involves a high degree of risk and can be
speculative. These debt securities are the equivalent of high yield, high risk
bonds, commonly known as "junk bonds." Debt securities in which the Fund will
invest may not be rated; if rated, it is expected that such ratings will be
below investment grade. See "Risk Factors -- Risks Associated with Debt
Securities" and "-- Risks Associated with Below Investment Grade Debt
Securities."
    
 
   
The Fund may invest in "Brady Bonds," which are debt restructurings that provide
for the exchange of cash and loans for newly issued bonds. Brady Bonds have been
issued by the countries of Albania, Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Costa Rica,
Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Mexico, Nigeria, Panama, Peru,
Philippines, Poland, Uruguay, Venezuela and Vietnam, and are expected to be
issued by other emerging market countries. As of the date of this Prospectus,
the Fund is not aware of the occurrence of any payment defaults on Brady Bonds.
Investors should recognize, however, that Brady Bonds do not have a long payment
history. In addition, Brady Bonds are often rated below investment grade.
    
 
   
The Fund may invest in either collateralized or uncollateralized Brady Bonds.
U.S. dollar-denominated collateralized Brady Bonds, which may be fixed rate par
bonds or floating rate discount bonds, are collateralized in full as to
principal by U.S. Treasury zero coupon bonds having the same maturity as the
bonds. Interest payments on such bonds generally are collateralized by cash or
securities in an amount that, in the case of fixed rate bonds, is equal to at
least one year of rolling interest payments or, in the case of floating rate
bonds, initially is equal to at least one year's rolling interest payments based
on the applicable interest rate at the time of issuance and is adjusted at
regular intervals thereafter.
    
 
Capital appreciation in debt securities may arise as a result of a favorable
change in relative foreign exchange rates, relative interest rate levels and/or
the creditworthiness of issuers.
 
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
 
TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE STRATEGIES. In the interest of preserving shareholders'
capital, the Manager may employ a temporary defensive investment strategy for
the Fund if it determines such a strategy
 
                               Prospectus Page 8
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
to be warranted due to market, economic or political conditions. Under a
defensive strategy, the Fund may hold cash (U.S. dollars, foreign currencies or
multinational currency units) and/or invest any portion or all of its assets in
high quality money market instruments of U.S. or foreign issuers. In addition,
for temporary defensive purposes, most or all of the Fund's investments may be
made in the United States and denominated in U.S. dollars. To the extent the
Fund adopts a temporary defensive posture, it will not be invested so as to
directly achieve its investment objectives. In addition, pending investment of
proceeds from new sales of Fund shares or in order to meet ordinary daily cash
needs, the Fund may hold cash (U.S. dollars, foreign currencies or multinational
currency units) and may invest in foreign or domestic high quality money market
instruments.
 
   
BORROWING AND REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. In connection with meeting requests
for the redemption of Fund shares, the Fund may borrow from banks or may borrow
through reverse repurchase agreements. The Fund also may borrow up to 5% of its
total assets for temporary or emergency purposes other than to meet redemptions
but total borrowings may not exceed 33 1/3% of its total assets. However, the
Fund will not purchase securities while borrowings in excess of 5% of its total
assets are outstanding. Any borrowing by the Fund may cause greater fluctuation
in the value of its shares than would be the case if it did not borrow.
    
 
A reverse repurchase agreement is a borrowing transaction in which the Fund
transfers possession of a security to another party, such as a bank or
broker/dealer, in return for cash and agrees to repurchase the security in the
future at an agreed-upon price that includes an interest component.
 
   
SECURITIES LENDING. The Fund may lend its portfolio securities to broker/dealers
or to other institutional investors. Securities lending allows the Fund to
retain ownership of the securities loaned and, at the same time, enhances the
Fund's total return. The Fund limits its loans of portfolio securities to an
aggregate of 30% of the value of its total assets, measured at the time any such
loan is made. While a loan is outstanding the borrower must maintain with the
Fund's custodian collateral consisting of cash, U.S. government securities or
certain irrevocable letters of credit equal to at least 100% of the value of the
borrowed securities plus any accrued interest or such other collateral as
permitted by the Fund's investment program and regulatory agencies, and as
approved by the Board. The risks in lending portfolio securities, as with other
extensions of secured credit, consist of possible delays in receiving additional
collateral or in recovery of the securities and possible loss of rights in the
collateral if the borrower fails financially.
    
 
OPTIONS, FUTURES AND FORWARD CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS. To attempt to increase
return, the Fund may write call options on securities. This strategy will be
employed only when, in the opinion of the Manager, the size of the premium the
Fund receives for writing the option is adequate to compensate it against the
risk that appreciation in the underlying security may not be fully realized if
the option is exercised. The Fund also is authorized to write put options to
attempt to enhance return, although it does not currently intend to do so.
 
   
The Fund may also use forward currency contracts, futures contracts, options on
securities, options on currencies, options on indices and options on futures
contracts to attempt to hedge against the overall level of investment and
currency risk normally associated with its investments. These instruments are
often referred to as "derivatives," which may be defined as financial
instruments whose performance is derived, at least in part, from the performance
of another asset (such as a security, currency or an index of securities). The
Fund may enter into such instruments up to the full value of its portfolio
assets. See "Options, Futures and Currency Strategies" in the Statement of
Additional Information.
    
 
To attempt to hedge against adverse movements in exchange rates between
currencies, the Fund may enter into forward currency contracts for the purchase
or sale of a specified currency at a specified future date. Such contracts may
involve the purchase or sale of a foreign currency against the U.S. dollar or
may involve two foreign currencies. The Fund may enter into forward currency
contracts either with respect to specific transactions or with respect to its
portfolio positions. The Fund also may purchase and sell put and call options on
currencies, futures contracts on currencies and options on such futures
contracts to hedge its portfolio against movements in exchange rates.
 
Only a limited market, if any, currently exists for options and futures
transactions relating to currencies of most emerging markets, to securities
denominated in such currencies or to securities of issuers domiciled or
principally engaged in business in such emerging markets. To the extent that
such a market does not exist, the Manager may
 
                               Prospectus Page 9
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
not be able to effectively hedge its investment in such markets.
 
In addition, the Fund may purchase and sell put and call options on equity and
debt securities to hedge against the risk of fluctuations in the prices of
securities held by the Fund or that the Manager intends to include in the Fund's
portfolio. The Fund also may purchase and sell put and call options on stock
indices to hedge against overall fluctuations in the securities markets or in a
specific market sector.
 
Further, the Fund may sell index futures contracts and may purchase put options
or write call options on such futures contracts to protect against a general
market or a specific market sector decline that could adversely affect the
Fund's portfolio. The Fund also may purchase index futures contracts and
purchase call options or write put options on such contracts to hedge against a
general market or market sector advance and thereby attempt to lessen the cost
of future securities acquisitions. Similarly, the Fund may use interest rate
futures contracts and options thereon to hedge the debt portion of its portfolio
against changes in the general level of interest rates.
 
INVESTMENT IN OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES OR VEHICLES. The Fund may be able to
invest in certain countries solely or primarily through governmentally
authorized investment vehicles or companies. Pursuant to the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), the Fund generally may invest up to
10% of its total assets in the aggregate in shares of other investment companies
and up to 5% of its total assets in any one investment company, as long as each
investment does not represent more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of
the acquired investment company at the time of investment.
 
Investment in other investment companies may involve the payment of substantial
premiums above the value of their portfolio securities and multiple layering of
fees and expenses and is subject to limitations under the 1940 Act and market
availability. The Fund does not intend to invest in other investment companies
unless, in the judgment of the Manager, the potential benefits of such
investment justify the payment of any applicable premium or sales charge. As a
shareholder in another investment company, the Fund would bear its ratable share
of that company's expenses, including its advisory and administration fees. At
the same time the Fund would continue to pay its own management fees and other
expenses.
 
PRIVATIZATIONS. The governments in some emerging markets have been engaged in
programs of selling part or all of their stakes in government owned or
controlled enterprises ("privatizations"). The Manager believes that
privatizations may offer opportunities for significant capital appreciation and
intends to invest assets of the Fund in privatizations in appropriate
circumstances. In certain emerging markets, the ability of foreign entities such
as the Fund to participate in privatizations may be limited by local law or the
terms on which the Fund may be permitted to participate may be less advantageous
than those afforded local investors. There can be no assurance that governments
in emerging markets will continue to sell companies currently owned or
controlled by them or that privatization programs will be successful.
 
WHEN-ISSUED AND FORWARD COMMITMENT SECURITIES. The Fund may purchase debt
securities on a "when-issued" basis and may purchase or sell such securities on
a "forward commitment" basis in order to hedge against anticipated changes in
interest rates and prices. The price, which is generally expressed in yield
terms, is fixed at the time the commitment is made, but delivery and payment for
the securities take place at a later date. When-issued securities and forward
commitments may be sold prior to the settlement date, but the Fund will purchase
or sell when-issued securities and forward commitments only with the intention
of actually receiving or delivering the securities, as the case may be. No
income accrues on securities that have been purchased pursuant to a forward
commitment or on a when-issued basis prior to delivery to the Fund. If the Fund
disposes of the right to acquire a when-issued security prior to its acquisition
or disposes of its right to deliver or receive against a forward commitment, it
may incur a gain or loss. At the time the Fund enters into a transaction on a
when-issued or forward commitment basis, a segregated account consisting of cash
or liquid securities equal to the value of the when-issued or forward commitment
securities will be established and maintained with the Fund's custodian bank and
will be marked to market daily. There is a risk that the securities may not be
delivered and that the Fund may incur a loss.
 
LOAN PARTICIPATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS. The Fund may invest in fixed and floating
rate loans ("Loans") arranged through private negotiations between a foreign
entity and one or more financial institutions ("Lenders"). The majority of the
Fund's investments in Loans in emerging markets is expected to be in the form of
participations in
 
                               Prospectus Page 10
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
Loans ("Participations") and assignments of portions of Loans from third parties
("Assignments"). Participations typically will result in the Fund having a
contractual relationship only with the Lender, not with the borrower. The Fund
will have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to
which it is entitled only from the Lender selling the Participation and only
upon receipt by the Lender of the payments from the borrower. In connection with
purchasing Participations, the Fund generally will have no right to enforce
compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement relating to the
loan nor any rights of set-off against the borrower, and the Fund may not
directly benefit from any collateral supporting the Loan in which it has
purchased the Participation. As a result, the Fund will assume the credit risk
of both the borrower and the Lender that is selling the Participation.
 
In the event of the insolvency of the Lender selling a Participation, the Fund
may be treated as a general creditor of the Lender and may not benefit from any
set-off between the Lender and the borrower. The Fund will acquire
Participations only if the Lender interpositioned between the Fund and the
borrower is determined by the Manager to be creditworthy. When the Fund
purchases Assignments from Lenders, the Fund will acquire direct rights against
the borrower on the Loan. However, because Assignments are arranged through
private negotiations between potential assignees and assignors, the rights and
obligations acquired by the Fund as the purchaser of an Assignment may differ
from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning Lender.
 
   
ZERO COUPON SECURITIES. The Fund may invest in certain zero coupon securities
that are "stripped" U.S. Treasury notes and bonds. The Fund also may invest in
zero coupon and other deep discount securities issued by foreign governments and
domestic and foreign corporations, including certain Brady Bonds and other
foreign debt, and in payment-in-kind securities. Zero coupon securities pay no
interest to holders prior to maturity, and payment-in-kind securities pay
"interest" in the form of additional securities. However, a portion of the
original issue discount on zero coupon securities and the interest on
payment-in-kind securities will be included in the Fund's income. Accordingly,
for the Fund to continue to qualify for tax treatment as a regulated investment
company and to avoid a certain excise tax (see "Taxes" in the Statement of
Additional Information), it may be required to distribute an amount that is
greater than the total amount of cash it actually receives. These distributions
may be made from the Fund's cash assets or, if necessary, from the proceeds of
sales of portfolio securities. The Fund will not be able to purchase additional
income-producing securities with cash used to make such distributions, and its
current income ultimately may be reduced as a result. Zero coupon and
payment-in-kind securities usually trade at a deep discount from their face or
par value and will be subject to greater fluctuations of market value in
response to changing interest rates than debt obligations of comparable
maturities that make current distributions of interest in cash.
    
 
INDEXED COMMERCIAL PAPER. The Fund may invest without limitation in commercial
paper that is indexed to certain specific foreign currency exchange rates. The
terms of such commercial paper provide that its principal amount is adjusted
upwards or downwards (but not below zero) at maturity to reflect changes in the
exchange rate between two currencies while the obligation is outstanding. The
Fund will purchase such commercial paper with the currency in which it is
denominated and, at maturity, will receive interest and principal payments
thereon in that currency, but the amount of principal payable by the issuer at
maturity will change in proportion to the change (if any) in the exchange rate
between the two specified currencies between the date the instrument is issued
and the date the instrument matures. While such commercial paper entails the
risk of loss of principal, the potential for realizing gains as a result of
changes in foreign currency exchange rates enables the Fund to hedge against a
decline in the U.S. dollar value of investments denominated in foreign
currencies while seeking to provide an attractive money market rate of return.
The Fund will not purchase such commercial paper for speculation.
 
OTHER INDEXED SECURITIES. The Fund may invest in certain other indexed
securities, which are securities whose prices are indexed to the prices of other
securities, securities indices, currencies, precious metals or other commodities
or other financial indicators. Indexed securities typically, but not always, are
debt securities or deposits whose value at maturity or coupon rate is determined
by reference to a specific instrument or statistic. The performance of indexed
securities depends to a great extent on the performance of the security,
currency or other instrument to which they are indexed and also may be
influenced by interest rate changes in the United States and abroad. At the
 
                               Prospectus Page 11
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
same time, indexed securities are subject to the credit risks associated with
the issuer of the security, and their values may decline substantially if the
issuer's creditworthiness deteriorates. Indexed securities may be more volatile
than the underlying instruments. New forms of indexed securities continue to be
developed. The Fund may invest in such securities to the extent consistent with
its investment objectives.
 
OTHER INFORMATION. The Fund's investment objectives may not be changed without
the approval of a majority of its outstanding voting securities. The "majority
of its outstanding voting securities" means the lesser of (i) 67% of the shares
represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the outstanding shares are
represented, or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares. In addition, the
Fund has adopted certain investment limitations that also may not be changed
without shareholder approval. A complete description of these limitations is
included in the Statement of Additional Information. Unless specifically noted,
the Fund's investment policies described in this Prospectus and in the Statement
of Additional Information may be changed by a vote of a majority of the
Company's Board of Directors without shareholder approval. The Fund's policies
regarding lending, and the percentage of Fund assets that may be committed to
borrowing, are fundamental policies and may not be changed without shareholder
approval.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
GENERAL. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment
objectives. The Fund's net asset value will fluctuate, reflecting fluctuations
in the market value of its portfolio positions. Equity securities, particularly
common stocks, generally represent the most junior position in an issuer's
capital structure and entitle holders to an interest in the assets of an issuer,
if any, remaining after all more senior claims have been satisfied.
 
Investing in the Fund entails a substantial degree of risk and an investment in
the Fund should be considered speculative. Investors are strongly advised to
consider carefully the special risks involved in investing in emerging markets,
which are in addition to the usual risks of investing in developed markets
around the world.
NON-DIVERSIFIED CLASSIFICATION. The Fund is classified under the 1940 Act as a
"non-diversified" fund. As a result, the Fund will be able to invest in a
smaller number of issuers than if it was classified under the 1940 Act as a
"diversified" fund. To the extent that the Fund invests in a smaller number of
issuers, the net asset value of its shares may fluctuate more widely and it may
be subject to greater investment and credit risk with respect to its portfolio.
 
   
FOREIGN INVESTING. Investing in foreign securities entails certain risks. The
securities of non-U.S. issuers generally will not be registered with, nor the
issuers thereof be subject to, the reporting requirements of, the SEC.
Accordingly, there may be less publicly available information about foreign
securities and issuers than is available about domestic securities and issuers.
Foreign companies generally are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and
financial reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those
applicable to domestic companies. In addition, certain costs attributable to
foreign investing, such as custody charges, are higher than those attributable
to domestic investing. Securities of some foreign companies are less liquid and
their prices may be more volatile than securities of comparable domestic
companies. The Fund's net investment income from foreign issuers may be subject
to non-U.S. withholding taxes, thereby reducing that income.
    
 
Investing in some foreign countries involves risks relating to potential
political and economic instability within such countries and the risks of
expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets and property or the
imposition of restrictions on foreign investment and on repatriation of capital
invested. In the event of such expropriation, nationalization or other
confiscation, the Fund could lose its entire investment in that market.
Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from
the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate
 
                               Prospectus Page 12
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
of inflation, rate of savings and capital reinvestment, currency depreciation,
resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments positions. Investments in
foreign government securities involve special risks, including the risk that the
government issuers may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest
when due.
 
The Fund will also be affected favorably or unfavorably by exchange control
regulations or changes in the exchange rates between such currencies and the
U.S. dollar. Changes in currency exchange rates will affect the net asset value
of the Fund's shares and also may affect the value of dividends and interest
earned by the Fund and gains and losses realized by it.
 
INVESTING IN EMERGING MARKETS. Emerging markets generally are dependent heavily
upon international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be
affected adversely by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in
relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated
by the countries with which they trade. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in
inflation rates have had and may continue to have negative effects on the
economies and securities markets of certain countries with emerging markets.
 
Disclosure and regulatory standards in many respects are less stringent than in
the United States and other major markets. There also may be a lower level of
monitoring and regulation of emerging markets and the activities of investors in
such markets, and enforcement of existing regulations has been extremely
limited.
 
In addition, brokerage commissions, custodial services and other costs relating
to investment in foreign markets generally are more expensive than in the United
States, particularly with respect to emerging markets. Such markets have
different settlement and clearance procedures. In certain markets there have
been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of
securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. The
inability of the Fund to make intended securities purchases due to settlement
problems could cause it to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability
to dispose of a portfolio security caused by settlement problems could result
either in losses to the Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the
portfolio security or, if the Fund has entered into a contract to sell the
security, could result in possible liability to the purchaser.
 
The securities markets of emerging countries are substantially smaller, less
developed, less liquid and more volatile than the securities markets of the
developed countries. The risk also exists that an emergency situation may arise
in one or more emerging markets as a result of which trading of securities may
cease or may be substantially curtailed and prices for the Fund's portfolio
securities in such markets may not be readily available. Section 22(e) of the
1940 Act permits a registered investment company, such as the Fund, to suspend
redemption of its shares for any period during which an emergency exists, as
determined by the SEC. Accordingly, when the Fund believes that circumstances
dictate, it will promptly apply to the SEC for a determination that such an
emergency exists. During the period commencing with the Fund's identification of
such conditions until the date of any SEC action, the Fund's portfolio
securities in the affected markets will be valued at fair value determined in
good faith by or under the direction of the Company's Board of Directors.
 
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH DEBT SECURITIES. The value of the debt securities held by
the Fund generally will vary inversely with market interest rates. If interest
rates in a market fall, the Fund's debt securities issued by governments or
companies in that market ordinarily will increase in value. If market interest
rates increase, however, the debt securities owned by the Fund in that market
will likely decrease in value.
 
   
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH BELOW INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT SECURITIES. The Fund may
invest up to 50% of its total assets in debt securities rated below investment
grade. Such investments involve a high degree of risk.
    
 
Debt rated Baa by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") is considered by
Moody's to have speculative characteristics. Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC or C by
Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("S&P"), and debt rated Ba, B, Caa, Ca or C by
Moody's is regarded, on balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to
the issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the
terms of the obligation. While such lower quality debt will likely have some
quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large
uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions. Debt rated C by
Moody's or S&P is the lowest rated debt that is not in default as to principal
or interest, and issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor
prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing. Lower quality debt
securities are also generally considered
 
                               Prospectus Page 13
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
to be subject to greater risk than securities with higher ratings with regard to
a deterioration of general economic conditions. These foreign debt securities
are the equivalent of high yield, high risk bonds, commonly known as "junk
bonds."
 
Ratings of debt securities represent the rating agency's opinion regarding their
quality and are not a guarantee of quality. Rating agencies attempt to evaluate
the safety of principal and interest payments and do not evaluate the risks of
fluctuations in market value. Also, rating agencies may fail to make timely
changes in credit ratings in response to subsequent events, so that an issuer's
current financial condition may be better or worse than a rating indicates.
 
The market values of lower quality debt securities tend to reflect individual
developments of the issuer to a greater extent than do higher quality
securities, which react primarily to fluctuations in the general level of
interest rates. In addition, lower quality debt securities tend to be more
sensitive to economic conditions and generally have more volatile prices than
higher quality securities. Issuers of lower quality securities are often highly
leveraged and may not have available to them more traditional methods of
financing. For example, during an economic downturn or a sustained period of
rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers of lower quality securities may
experience financial stress. During such periods, such issuers may not have
sufficient revenues to meet their interest payment obligations. The issuer's
ability to service its debt obligations may also be adversely affected by
specific developments affecting it, such as its inability to meet specific
projected business forecasts or the unavailability of additional financing.
Similarly, certain emerging market governments that issue lower quality debt
securities are among the largest debtors to commercial banks, foreign
governments and supranational organizations such as the World Bank and may not
be able or willing to make principal and/or interest repayments as they come
due. The risk of loss due to default by the issuer is significantly greater for
the holders of lower quality securities because such securities are generally
unsecured and may be subordinated to the claims of other creditors of the
issuer.
 
Lower quality debt securities frequently have call or buy-back features that
would permit an issuer to call or repurchase the security from the Fund. In
addition, the Fund may have difficulty disposing of lower quality securities
because they may have a thin trading market. There may be no established retail
secondary market for many of these securities, and the Fund anticipates that
such securities could be sold only to a limited number of dealers or
institutional investors. The lack of a liquid secondary market also may have an
adverse impact on market prices of such instruments and may make it more
difficult for the Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of
valuing its portfolio. The Fund may also acquire lower quality debt securities
during an initial underwriting or that are sold without registration under
applicable securities laws. Such securities involve special considerations and
risks.
 
   
In addition to the foregoing, factors that could have an adverse effect on the
market value of lower quality debt securities in which the Fund may invest
include (1) potential adverse publicity, (2) heightened sensitivity to general
economic or political conditions and (3) the likely adverse impact of a major
economic recession.
    
 
The Fund may also incur additional expenses to the extent it is required to seek
recovery upon a default in the payment of principal or interest on its portfolio
holdings, and the Fund may have limited legal recourse in the event of a
default. Debt securities issued by governments in emerging markets can differ
from debt obligations issued by private entities in that remedies from defaults
generally must be pursued in the courts of the defaulting government, and legal
recourse is therefore somewhat diminished. Political conditions, in terms of a
government's willingness to meet the terms of its debt obligations, also are of
considerable significance. There can be no assurance that the holders of
commercial bank debt may not contest payments to the holders of debt securities
issued by governments in emerging markets in the event of default by the
governments under commercial bank loan agreements.
 
ILLIQUID SECURITIES. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in
securities for which no readily available market exists, so-called "illiquid
securities." Illiquid securities may be more difficult to value than liquid
securities, and the sale of illiquid securities generally will require more time
and result in higher brokerage charges or dealer discounts and other selling
expenses than the sale of liquid securities. Moreover, illiquid restricted
securities often sell at a price lower than similar securities that are not
subject to restrictions on resale.
 
                               Prospectus Page 14
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
CURRENCY RISK. Because the Fund may invest substantially in securities
denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, and since the Fund may
hold foreign currencies, it will be affected favorably or unfavorably by
exchange control regulations or changes in the exchange rates between such
currencies and the U.S. dollar. Changes in currency exchange rates will affect
the net asset value of the Fund's shares and also may affect the value of
dividends and interest earned by the Fund and gains and losses realized by it.
Currencies generally are evaluated on the basis of fundamental economic criteria
(e.g., relative inflation and interest rate levels and trends, growth rate
forecasts, balance of payments status and economic policies) as well as
technical and political data. Exchange rates are determined by the forces of
supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets. These forces are affected by
the international balance of payments and other economic and financial
conditions, government intervention, speculation and other factors. If the
currency in which a security is denominated appreciates against the U.S. dollar,
the dollar value of the security will increase. Conversely, a decline in the
exchange rate of the currency would adversely affect the value of the security
expressed in dollars.
 
Many of the currencies of emerging market countries have experienced steady
devaluations relative to the U.S. dollar, and major devaluations have
historically occurred in certain countries. Any devaluations in the currencies
in which the Fund's portfolio securities are denominated may have a detrimental
impact on the Fund.
 
Some countries also may have fixed currencies whose values against the U.S.
dollar are not independently determined. In addition, there is a risk that
certain countries may restrict the free conversion of their currencies into
other currencies. Further, certain currencies may not be internationally traded.
 
   
OPTIONS, FUTURES AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS. The Fund is authorized to
enter into options, futures and forward currency transactions. These
transactions involve certain risks, which include: (1) dependence on the
Manager's ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities,
fluctuations in the general securities markets and movements in interest rates
and currency markets; (2) imperfect correlation, or even no correlation, between
movements in the price of forward contracts, options, futures contracts or
options thereon and movements in the price of the currency or security hedged or
used for cover; (3) the fact that skills and techniques needed to trade options,
futures contracts and options thereon or to use forward currency contracts are
different from those needed to select the securities in which the Fund invests;
(4) lack of assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any
particular option, futures contract or option thereon at any particular time;
(5) the possible loss of principal under certain conditions; and (6) the
possible inability of the Fund to purchase or sell a portfolio security at a
time when it would otherwise be favorable for it to do so, or the possible need
for the Fund to sell a security at a disadvantageous time, due to the need for
the Fund to maintain "cover" or to set aside securities in connection with
hedging transactions.
    
 
LOAN PARTICIPATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS. The Fund may have difficulty disposing of
Assignments and Participations. The liquidity of such securities is limited, and
the Fund anticipates that such securities could be sold only to a limited number
of institutional investors. The lack of a liquid secondary market could have an
adverse impact on the value of such securities and on the Fund's ability to
dispose of particular Assignments or Participations when necessary to meet its
liquidity needs or in response to a specific economic event, such as a
deterioration in the creditworthiness of the borrower. The lack of a liquid
secondary market for Assignments and Participations also may make it more
difficult for the Fund to assign a value to those securities for purposes of
valuing its portfolio and calculating its net asset value.
 
SOVEREIGN DEBT. The Fund may invest in sovereign debt securities of emerging
market governments, including Brady Bonds. Investments in such securities
involve special risks. The issuer of the debt or the governmental authorities
that control the repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay
principal or interest when due in accordance with the terms of such debt.
Periods of economic uncertainty may result in the volatility of market prices of
sovereign debt obligations and in turn the Fund's net asset value, to a greater
extent than the volatility inherent in domestic fixed income securities.
 
A sovereign debtor's willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest
in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow
situation, the extent of its foreign reserves, the availability of sufficient
foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt
service burden to the economy as a whole, the
 
                               Prospectus Page 15
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
sovereign debtor's policy toward principal international lenders and the
political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject. Emerging
market governments could default on their sovereign debt. Such sovereign debtors
also may be dependent on expected disbursements from foreign governments,
multilateral agencies and other entities abroad to reduce principal and interest
arrearages on their debt. The commitment on the part of these governments,
agencies and others to make such disbursements may be conditioned on a sovereign
debtor's implementation of economic reforms and/or economic performance and the
timely service of such debtor's obligations. Failure to implement such reforms,
achieve such levels of economic performance or repay principal or interest when
due may result in the cancellation of such third parties' commitments to lend
funds to the sovereign debtor, which may further impair such debtor's ability or
willingness to timely service its debts.
 
The occurrence of political, social or diplomatic changes in one or more of the
countries issuing sovereign debt could adversely affect the Fund's investments.
Emerging markets are faced with social and political issues, and some of them
have experienced high rates of inflation in recent years and have extensive
internal debt. Among other effects, high inflation and internal debt service
requirements may adversely affect the cost and availability of future domestic
sovereign borrowing to finance governmental programs and may have other adverse
social, political and economic consequences. Political changes or a
deterioration of a country's domestic economy or balance of trade may affect its
willingness to service its sovereign debt. Although the Manager intends to
manage the Fund in a manner that will minimize the exposure to such risks, there
can be no assurance that adverse political changes will not cause the Fund to
suffer a loss of interest or principal on any of its holdings.
 
In recent years, some of the emerging market countries in which the Fund expect
to invest have encountered difficulties in servicing their sovereign debt
obligations. Some of these countries have withheld payments of interest and/or
principal of sovereign debt. These difficulties have also led to agreements to
restructure external debt obligations -- in particular, commercial bank loans --
typically by rescheduling principal payments, reducing interest rates and
extending new credits to finance interest payments on existing debt. In the
future, holders of emerging market sovereign debt securities may be requested to
participate in similar rescheduling of such debt. Certain emerging market
countries are among the largest debtors to commercial banks and foreign
governments. Currently, Brazil, Mexico and Argentina are the largest debtors
among developing countries. At times certain emerging market countries have
declared moratoria on the payment of principal and interest on external debt;
such a moratorium is currently in effect in certain emerging market countries.
There is no bankruptcy proceeding by which a creditor may collect in whole or in
part sovereign debt on which an emerging market government has defaulted.
 
The ability of emerging market governments to make timely payments on their
sovereign debt securities is likely to be influenced strongly by a country's
balance of trade and its access to trade and other international credits. A
country whose exports are concentrated in a few commodities could be vulnerable
to a decline in the international prices of one or more of such commodities.
Increased protectionism on the part of a country's trading partners could also
adversely affect its exports. Such events could diminish a country's trade
account surplus, if any. To the extent that a country receives payment for its
exports in currencies other than hard currencies, its ability to make hard
currency payments could be affected.
 
   
As noted above, sovereign debt obligations issued by emerging market governments
generally are deemed to be the equivalent in terms of quality to securities
rated below investment grade by Moody's and S&P. Such securities are regarded as
predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest
and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligations and involve
major risk exposure to adverse conditions. Some of such securities, with respect
to which the issuer currently may not be paying interest or may be in payment
default, may be comparable to securities rated D by S&P or C by Moody's. The
Fund may have difficulty disposing of and valuing certain sovereign debt
obligations because there may be a limited trading market for such securities.
Because there is no liquid secondary market for many of these securities, the
Fund anticipates that such securities could be sold only to a limited number of
dealers or institutional investors.
    
 
                               Prospectus Page 16
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                                 HOW TO INVEST
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
GENERAL. Advisor Class shares are offered through this Prospectus to (a)
trustees or other fiduciaries purchasing shares for employee benefit plans that
are sponsored by organizations that have at least 1,000 employees; (b) any
account with assets of at least $10,000 if (i) a financial planner, trust
company, bank trust department or registered investment adviser has investment
discretion over such account, and (ii) the account holder pays such person as
compensation for its advice and other services an annual fee of at least .50% on
the assets in the account ("Advisory Account"); (c) any account with assets of a
least $10,000 if (i) such account is established under a "wrap fee" program, and
(ii) the account holder pays the sponsor of such program an annual fee of at
least .50% on the assets in the account ("Wrap Fee Account"); (d) accounts
advised by one of the companies composing or affiliated with Liechtenstein
Global Trust; and (e) any of the companies composing or affiliated with
Liechtenstein Global Trust. Financial planners, trust companies, bank trust
companies and registered investment advisers referenced in subpart (b) and
sponsors of "wrap fee" programs referenced in subpart (c) are collectively
referred to as "Financial Advisors." Investors in Wrap Fee Accounts and Advisory
Accounts may only purchase Advisor Class shares through Financial Advisors who
have entered into agreements with GT Global and certain of its affiliates.
Investors may be charged a fee by their agents or brokers if they effect
transactions other than through a dealer.
 
All purchase orders will be executed at the public offering price next
determined after the purchase order is received. Orders received by GT Global
before the close of regular trading on the NYSE (currently 4:00 P.M. Eastern
time, unless weather, equipment failure or other factors contribute to an
earlier closing time) on any Business Day will be executed at the public
offering price for the applicable class of shares determined that day. A
"Business Day" is any day Monday through Friday on which the NYSE is open for
business. THE FUND AND GT GLOBAL RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY PURCHASE ORDER
AND TO SUSPEND THE OFFERING OF SHARES FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. In particular, the
Fund and GT Global may reject purchase orders or exchanges by investors who
appear to follow, in the Manager's judgment, a market-timing strategy or
otherwise engage in excessive trading. See "How to Make Exchanges -- Limitations
on Purchase Orders and Exchanges."
 
Fiduciaries and Financial Advisors may be required to provide information
satisfactory to GT Global concerning their eligibility to purchase Advisor Class
shares. For specific information on opening an account, please contact your
Financial Advisor or GT Global.
 
PURCHASE BY BANK WIRE. Shares of the Fund may also be purchased through GT
Global by bank wire. Bank wire purchases will be effected at the next determined
public offering price after the bank wire is received. A wire investment is
considered received when the Transfer Agent is notified that the bank wire has
been credited to the Fund. Prior telephonic or facsimile notice that a bank wire
is being sent must be provided to the Transfer Agent. A bank may charge a
service fee for wiring money to the Fund. The Transfer Agent currently does not
charge a service fee for facilitating wire purchases, but reserves the right to
do so in the future. For more information, please refer to the Shareholder
Account Manual in this Prospectus.
 
CERTIFICATES. Physical certificates representing the Fund's shares will not be
issued unless a written request is submitted to the Transfer Agent. Shares of
the Fund are recorded on a register by the Transfer Agent, and shareholders who
do not elect to receive certificates have the same rights of ownership as if
certificates had been issued to them. Redemptions and exchanges by shareholders
who hold certificates may take longer to effect than similar transactions
involving non-certificated shares because the physical delivery and processing
of properly executed certificates is required. ACCORDINGLY, THE FUND AND GT
GLOBAL RECOMMEND THAT SHAREHOLDERS DO NOT REQUEST ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES.
 
PORTFOLIO REBALANCING PROGRAM. The GT Global Portfolio Rebalancing Program
("Program") permits eligible shareholders to establish and maintain an
allocation across a range of GT Global Mutual Funds. The Program automatically
rebalances holdings of GT Global Mutual Funds to the established allocation on a
periodic basis. Under the
 
                               Prospectus Page 17
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
Program, a shareholder may predesignate, on a percentage basis, how the total
value of his or her holdings in a minimum of two, and a maximum of ten, GT
Global Mutual Funds ("Personal Portfolio") is to be rebalanced on a monthly,
quarterly, semiannual, or annual basis.
 
   
Rebalancing under the Program will be effected through the exchange of shares of
one or more GT Global Mutual Funds in the shareholders' Personal Portfolio for
shares of the same class of one or more other GT Global Mutual Funds in the
shareholder's Personal Portfolio. See "How to Make Exchanges." If shares of the
GT Global Mutual Funds in a shareholder's Personal Portfolio have appreciated
during a rebalancing period, the Program will result in shares of GT Global
Mutual Fund(s) that have appreciated most during the period being exchanged for
shares of GT Global Mutual Fund(s) that have appreciated least. SUCH EXCHANGES
ARE NOT TAX-FREE AND MAY RESULT IN A SHAREHOLDER'S REALIZING A GAIN OR LOSS, AS
THE CASE MAY BE, FOR TAX PURPOSES. See "Dividends, Other Distributions and
Federal Income Taxation." Participation in the Program does not assure that a
shareholder will profit from purchases under the Program nor does it prevent or
lessen losses in a declining market.
    
 
The Program will automatically rebalance the shareholder's Personal Portfolio on
the 28th day of the last month of the period chosen (or the immediately
preceding business day if the 28th is not a business day), subject to any
limitations below. The Program will not execute an exchange if the variance in a
shareholder's Personal Portfolio for a particular Fund would be 2% or less. In
predesignating percentages, shareholders must use whole percentages and totals
must equal 100%. Shareholders participating in the Program may not request
issuance of physical certificates representing a Fund's shares. Exchanges made
under the Program are not subject to the four free exchanges per year
limitation. The Funds and GT Global reserve the right to modify, suspend, or
terminate the Program at any time on 60 days' prior written notice to
shareholders. A request to participate in the Program must be received in good
order at least five business days prior to the next rebalancing date. Once a
shareholder establishes the Program for his or her Personal Portfolio, a
shareholder cannot cancel or change which rebalancing frequency, which Funds or
what allocation percentages are assigned to the Program, unless canceled or
changed in writing and received by the Transfer Agent in good order at least
five business days prior to the rebalancing date. Certain broker/ dealers may
charge a fee for establishing accounts relating to the Program. Investors should
contact their broker/dealers or GT Global for more information.
 
                               Prospectus Page 18
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                             HOW TO MAKE EXCHANGES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Advisor Class shares of the Fund may be exchanged for Advisor Class shares of
any of the other GT Global Mutual Funds, based on their respective net asset
values, provided that the registration remains identical. EXCHANGES ARE NOT
TAX-FREE AND MAY RESULT IN A SHAREHOLDER'S REALIZING A GAIN OR LOSS, AS THE CASE
MAY BE, FOR TAX PURPOSES. See "Dividends, Other Distributions and Federal Income
Taxation." In addition to the Fund, the GT Global Mutual Funds currently
include:
 
   -- GT GLOBAL AMERICA SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL AMERICA MID CAP GROWTH FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL AMERICA VALUE FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND
       SERVICES FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL DOLLAR FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL EMERGING MARKETS FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL EUROPE GROWTH FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL FINANCIAL SERVICES FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL GROWTH & INCOME FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL HEALTH CARE FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL JAPAN GROWTH FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL LATIN AMERICA GROWTH FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL NATURAL RESOURCES FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL NEW DIMENSION FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL NEW PACIFIC GROWTH FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS FUND
   -- GT GLOBAL WORLDWIDE GROWTH FUND
 
Up to four exchanges each year may be made without charge. A $7.50 service
charge will be imposed on each subsequent exchange. Exchange requests received
in good order by the Transfer Agent before the close of regular trading on the
NYSE on any Business Day will be processed at the net asset value calculated on
that day. The terms of the exchange offer may be modified at any time, on 60
days' prior written notice.
 
EXCHANGES BY TELEPHONE. A shareholder may give exchange instructions to his or
her Financial Advisor. Exchange orders will be accepted by telephone provided
that the exchange involves only uncertificated shares on deposit in the
shareholder's account or for which certificates previously have been deposited.
 
Shareholders automatically have telephone privileges to authorize exchanges. The
Fund, GT Global and the Transfer Agent will not be liable for any loss or damage
for acting in good faith upon instructions received by telephone and reasonably
believed to be genuine. The Fund employs reasonable procedures to confirm that
instructions communicated by telephone are genuine prior to acting upon
instructions received by telephone, including requiring some form of personal
identification, providing written confirmation of such transactions, and/or tape
recording of telephone instructions.
 
Investors in Wrap Fee Accounts and Advisory Accounts interested in making an
exchange should contact their Financial Advisors to request the prospectuses of
the other GT Global Mutual Fund(s) being considered. Other investors should
contact GT Global. See the Shareholder Account Manual in this Prospectus.
 
LIMITATIONS ON PURCHASE ORDERS AND EXCHANGES. The GT Global Mutual Funds are not
intended to serve as vehicles for frequent trading in response to short-term
fluctuations in the market. Due to the disruptive effect that market-timing
investment strategies and excessive trading can have on efficient portfolio
management, each GT Global Mutual Fund and GT Global reserves the right to
refuse purchase orders and exchanges by any person or group, if, in the
Manager's judgment, such person or group was following a market-timing strategy
or was otherwise engaging in excessive trading.
 
In addition, each GT Global Mutual Fund and GT Global reserves the right to
refuse purchase orders and exchanges by any person or group if, in the Manager's
judgment, the Fund would not be able to invest the money effectively in
accordance with that Fund's investment objective and policies or would otherwise
potentially be adversely affected. Although a GT Global Mutual Fund will attempt
to give investors prior notice whenever it is reasonably able to do so, it may
impose the above restrictions at any time.
 
Finally, as described above, each GT Global Mutual Fund and GT Global reserve
the right to reject any purchase order.
 
                               Prospectus Page 19
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                              HOW TO REDEEM SHARES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Fund shares may be redeemed at their net asset value and redemption proceeds
will be sent within seven days of the execution of a redemption request.
 
Redemption requests may be transmitted to the Transfer Agent by telephone or by
mail, in accordance with the instructions provided in the Shareholder Account
Manual. Redemptions will be effected at the net asset value next determined
after the Transfer Agent has received the request and any required supporting
documentation. Redemption requests will not require a signature guarantee if the
redemption proceeds are to be sent either: (i) to the redeeming shareholder at
the shareholder's address of record as maintained by the Transfer Agent,
provided the shareholder's address of record has not been changed within the
preceding thirty days; or (ii) directly to a pre-designated bank, savings and
loan or credit union account ("Pre-Designated Account"). ALL OTHER REDEMPTION
REQUESTS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A SIGNATURE GUARANTEE OF THE REDEEMING
SHAREHOLDER'S SIGNATURE. A signature guarantee can be obtained from any bank,
U.S. trust company, a member firm of a U.S. stock exchange or a foreign branch
of any of the foregoing or other eligible guarantor institutions. A notary
public is not an acceptable guarantor.
 
Shareholders with Pre-Designated Accounts should request that redemption
proceeds be sent either by bank wire or by check. The minimum redemption amount
for a bank wire is $1,000. Shareholders requesting a bank wire should allow two
business days from the time the redemption request is effected for the proceeds
to be deposited in the shareholder's Pre-Designated Account. See "How to Redeem
Shares -- Other Important Redemption Information." Shareholders may change their
Pre-Designated Accounts only by a letter of instruction to the Transfer Agent
containing all account signatures, each of which must be guaranteed. The
Transfer Agent currently does not charge a bank wire service fee for each wire
redemption sent but reserves the right to do so in the future. The shareholder's
bank may charge a bank wire service fee.
 
REDEMPTIONS BY TELEPHONE. Redemption requests may be made by telephone by
calling the Transfer Agent at the appropriate toll free number provided in the
Shareholder Account Manual. Shareholders who hold certificates for shares may
not redeem by telephone. REDEMPTION REQUESTS MAY NOT BE MADE BY TELEPHONE FOR
THIRTY DAYS FOLLOWING ANY CHANGE OF THE SHAREHOLDER'S ADDRESS OF RECORD.
 
Shareholders automatically have telephone privileges to authorize redemptions.
The Fund, GT Global and the Transfer Agent shall not be liable for any loss or
damage for acting in good faith upon instructions received by telephone and
reasonably believed to be genuine. The Fund employs reasonable procedures to
confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine prior to acting
upon instructions received by telephone, including requiring some form of
personal identification, providing written confirmation of such transactions,
and/or tape recording of telephone instructions.
 
REDEMPTIONS BY MAIL. Redemption requests should be mailed directly to the
Transfer Agent at the appropriate address provided in the Shareholder Account
Manual. As discussed above, requests for payment of redemption proceeds to a
party other than the shareholder of record and/or requests that redemption
proceeds be mailed to an address other than the shareholder's address of record
require a signature guarantee. In addition, if the shareholder's address of
record has been changed within the preceding thirty days, a signature guarantee
is required. Redemptions of shares for which certificates have been issued must
be accompanied by properly endorsed share certificates.
 
OTHER IMPORTANT REDEMPTION INFORMATION. A request for redemption will not be
processed until all of the necessary documentation has been received in good
order. A shareholder in a Wrap Fee Account or Advisory Account who is in doubt
as to what documents are required should contact his Financial Advisor.
 
Except in extraordinary circumstances and as permitted under the 1940 Act,
payment for shares
 
                               Prospectus Page 20
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
redeemed by telephone or in writing will be made promptly after receipt of a
redemption request, if in good order, but not later than seven days after the
date the request is executed. Requests for redemption which are subject to any
special conditions or which specify a future or past effective date cannot be
accepted.
 
If the Transfer Agent is requested to redeem shares for which the Fund has not
yet received good payment, the Fund may delay payment of redemption proceeds
until it has assured itself that good payment has been collected for the
purchase of the shares. In the case of purchases by check it can take up to 10
business days to confirm that the check has cleared and good payment has been
received. Redemption proceeds will not be delayed when shares have been paid for
by wire or when the investor's account holds a sufficient number of shares for
which funds already have been collected.
 
GT Global reserves the right to redeem the shares of any Advisory Account or
Wrap Fee Account if the amount invested in GT Global Mutual Funds through such
account is reduced to less than $500 through redemptions or other action by the
shareholder. Written notice will be given to the shareholder at least 60 days
prior to the date fixed for such redemption, during which time the shareholder
may increase the amount invested in GT Global Mutual Funds through such account
to an aggregate amount of $500 or more.
 
For more information on how to redeem Fund shares, see the Shareholder Account
Manual in this Prospectus, or contact your Financial Advisor.
 
                               Prospectus Page 21
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                           SHAREHOLDER ACCOUNT MANUAL
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
Purchase, exchange and redemption orders should be placed in accordance with
this Manual. It is recommended that investors in Wrap Fee Accounts and Advisory
Accounts make such orders through their Financial Advisor. INVESTORS SHOULD
REFERENCE "ADVISOR CLASS" IN ALL INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED. See "How to Invest,"
"How to Make Exchanges," "How to Redeem Shares" and "Dividends, Other
Distributions and Federal Income Taxation" for more information.
    
 
The Fund's Transfer Agent is GT GLOBAL INVESTOR SERVICES, INC.
 
INVESTMENTS BY MAIL
 
Send completed Account Application (if initial purchase) or letter stating Fund
name, class of shares, shareholder's registered name and account number (if
subsequent purchase) with a check to:
 
   
    GT Global Mutual Funds
    P.O. Box 7345
    San Francisco, California 94120-7345
    
 
INVESTMENTS BY BANK WIRE
 
A new account may be opened by calling 1-800-223-2138 to obtain an account
number. WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF PURCHASE A COMPLETED ACCOUNT APPLICATION CONTAINING
THE INVESTOR'S CERTIFIED TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER MUST BE SENT TO GT
GLOBAL AT THE ADDRESS PROVIDED ABOVE UNDER "INVESTMENTS BY MAIL." Wire
instructions must state Fund name, class of shares, shareholder's registered
name and account number. Bank wires should be sent through the Federal Reserve
Bank Wire System to:
 
    WELLS FARGO BANK N.A.
    ABA 121000248
    Attn: GT GLOBAL
         Account No. 4023-050701
 
EXCHANGES BY TELEPHONE
 
   
Call the Transfer Agent at 1-800-223-2138
    
 
EXCHANGES BY MAIL
 
Send complete instructions, including name of Fund exchanging from, class of
shares, amount of exchange, name of the GT Global Mutual Fund exchanging into,
shareholder's registered name and account number, to:
 
   
    GT Global Mutual Funds
    P.O. Box 7893
    San Francisco, California 94120-7893
    
 
REDEMPTIONS BY TELEPHONE
 
   
Call the Transfer Agent at 1-800-223-2138
    
 
REDEMPTIONS BY MAIL
 
Send complete instructions, including name of Fund, class of shares, amount of
redemption, shareholder's registered name and account number, to:
 
   
    GT Global Investor Services, Inc.
    P.O. Box 7893
    San Francisco, California 94120-7893
    
 
OVERNIGHT MAIL
 
   
Overnight mail services do not deliver to post office boxes. To send purchase,
exchange or redemption orders by overnight mail, follow the above instructions
but send to the following:
    
 
   
    GT Global Investor Services, Inc,
    California Plaza
    2121 N. California Boulevard
    Suite 450
    Walnut Creek, California 94596
    
 
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
 
   
Shareholders with additional questions regarding purchase, exchange and
redemption procedures may call the Transfer Agent at 1-800-223-2138.
    
 
                               Prospectus Page 22
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                         CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The Fund calculates its net asset value as of the close of regular trading on
the NYSE (currently 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, unless weather, equipment failure or
other factors contribute to an earlier closing time) each Business Day. The
Fund's net asset value per share is computed by determining the value of its
total assets (the securities it holds plus any cash or other assets, including
dividends and interest accrued but not yet received), subtracting all of its
liabilities (including accrued expenses), and dividing the result by the total
number of shares outstanding. Net asset value is determined separately for each
class of the Fund's shares.
 
Equity securities are valued at the last sale price on the exchange or in the
over-the-counter market in which the securities are primarily traded, as of the
close of business on the day the securities are being valued or, lacking any
sales, at the last available bid price. Long-term obligations are valued at the
mean of representative quoted bid and asked prices for the securities or, if
such prices are not available, at prices for securities of comparable maturity,
quality and type; however, when the Manager deems it appropriate, prices
obtained from a bond pricing service will be used. Short-term debt investments
are amortized to maturity based on their cost, adjusted for foreign exchange
translation and market fluctuations, provided such valuations represent fair
value. When market quotations for futures and options positions held by the Fund
are readily available, those positions are valued based upon such quotations.
 
Securities and other assets for which market quotations are not readily
available are valued at fair value determined in good faith by or under the
direction of the Company's Board of Directors. Securities and other assets
quoted in foreign currencies are valued in U.S. dollars based on the prevailing
exchange rates on that day.
 
The Fund's portfolio securities, from time to time, may be listed primarily on
foreign exchanges or over-the-counter dealer markets that trade on days when the
NYSE is closed (such as a Saturday). As a result, the net asset value of the
Fund may be significantly affected by such trading on days when shareholders
cannot purchase or redeem Fund shares.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                         DIVIDENDS, OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS
                          AND FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS. The Fund annually declares and pays as a
dividend all of its net investment income, if any, which includes dividends,
accrued interest and earned discount (including both original issue and market
discounts) less applicable expenses. The Fund also annually distributes
substantially all of its realized net capital gains and net gains from foreign
currency transactions, if any. The Fund may make an additional dividend or other
distribution if necessary to avoid a 4% excise tax on certain undistributed
income and gain.
    
 
Dividends and other distributions paid by the Fund with respect to all classes
of its shares are calculated in the same manner and at the same time. The per
share income dividends on Advisor Class shares will be higher than the per share
income dividends on other classes of the Fund's shares as a result of the
service and distribution fees applicable to those other shares. SHAREHOLDERS MAY
ELECT:
 
/ / to have all dividends and other distributions automatically reinvested in
    additional Advisor Class shares of the Fund (or other GT Global Mutual
    Funds); or
 
/ / to receive dividends in cash and have other distributions automatically
    reinvested in additional Advisor Class shares of the Fund (or other GT
    Global Mutual Funds); or
 
                               Prospectus Page 23
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
/ / to receive other distributions in cash and have dividends automatically
    reinvested in additional Advisor Class shares of the Fund (or other GT
    Global Mutual Funds); or
 
/ / to receive dividends and other distributions in cash.
 
Automatic reinvestments in additional Advisor Class shares are made at net asset
value without imposition of a sales charge. IF NO ELECTION IS MADE BY A
SHAREHOLDER, ALL DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY
REINVESTED IN ADDITIONAL ADVISOR CLASS SHARES OF THE FUND. Reinvestments in
another GT Global Mutual Fund may only be directed to an account with the
identical shareholder registration and account number. These elections may be
changed by a shareholder at any time; to be effective with respect to a
distribution, the shareholder or the shareholder's broker must contact the
Transfer Agent by mail or telephone at least 15 Business Days prior to the
payment date. THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF DIVIDENDS AND OTHER
DISTRIBUTIONS ARE THE SAME WHETHER THEY ARE RECEIVED IN CASH OR REINVESTED IN
ADDITIONAL SHARES.
 
Any dividend or other distribution paid by the Fund has the effect of reducing
the net asset value per share on the ex-distribution date by the amount thereof.
Therefore, a dividend or other distribution paid shortly after a purchase of
shares would represent, in substance, a return of capital to the shareholder (to
the extent the distribution is paid on the shares so purchased), even though
subject to income tax, as discussed below.
 
   
TAXES. The Fund intends to continue to qualify for treatment as a regulated
investment company under the Code. In each taxable year that the Fund so
qualifies, the Fund (but not its shareholders) will be relieved of federal
income tax on that part of its investment company taxable income (consisting
generally of net investment income, net gains from certain foreign currency
transactions and net short-term capital gain) and net capital gain (i.e., the
excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) that is
distributed to its shareholders.
    
 
Dividends from the Fund's investment company taxable income (whether paid in
cash or reinvested in additional shares) are taxable to its shareholders as
ordinary income to the extent of its earnings and profits. Distributions of the
Fund's net capital gain when designated as such, are taxable to its shareholders
as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long they have held their Fund
shares and whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares.
   
The Fund provides federal tax information to its shareholders annually,
including information about dividends and distributions paid during the
preceding capital gain year and, under certain circumstances, the shareholders'
respective shares of any foreign taxes paid by the Fund, in which event each
shareholder would be required to include in his or her gross income his or her
pro rata share of those taxes but might be entitled to claim a credit or
deduction for them.
    
 
   
The information regarding capital gain distributions designates the portions of
those distributions that are subject to (1) the 20% maximum rate of tax (10% for
investors in the 15% marginal tax bracket) enacted by the Taxpayer Relief Act of
1997 ("Tax Act"), which applies to gain on securities held for more than 18
months, and (2) the 28% maximum tax rate, applicable to gain on securities held
for more than 12 and up to 18 months (which, prior to enactment of the Tax Act,
applied to all capital gain on securities held for more than one year).
    
 
The Fund must withhold 31% from dividends, capital gain distributions and
redemption proceeds payable to any individuals and certain other noncorporate
shareholders who have not furnished to the Fund a correct taxpayer
identification number or a properly completed claim for exemption on Form W-8 or
W-9. Withholding at that rate also is required from dividends and capital gain
distributions payable to such shareholders who otherwise are subject to backup
withholding. Fund accounts opened via a bank wire purchase (see "How to Invest
- -- Purchases Through the Distributor") are considered to have uncertified
taxpayer identification numbers unless a completed Form W-8 or W-9 or Account
Application is received by the Transfer Agent within seven days after the
purchase. A shareholder should contact the Transfer Agent if the shareholder is
uncertain whether a proper taxpayer identification number is on file with the
Fund.
 
A redemption of the Fund shares may result in taxable gain or loss to the
redeeming shareholder, depending upon whether the redemption proceeds are more
or less than the shareholder's adjusted basis for the redeemed shares. An
exchange of Fund shares for shares of another GT Global Mutual Fund generally
will have similar tax consequences. In addition, if Fund shares are purchased
within 30 days before or after
 
                               Prospectus Page 24
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
redeeming other Fund shares (regardless of class) at a loss, all or a part of
the loss will not be deductible and instead will increase the basis of the newly
purchased shares.
 
The foregoing is only a summary of some of the important federal tax
considerations generally affecting the Fund and its shareholders. See "Taxes" in
the Statement of Additional Information for a further discussion. There may be
other federal, state, local or foreign tax considerations applicable to a
particular investor. Prospective investors therefore are urged to consult their
tax advisers.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The Company's Board of Directors has overall responsibility for the operation of
the Fund. Pursuant to such responsibility, the Board has approved contracts with
various financial organizations to provide, among other things, day to day
management services required by the Fund. See "Directors and Executive Officers"
in the Statement of Additional Information for a complete description of the
Directors of the Company.
 
   
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION. Services provided by Chancellor LGT
Asset Management, Inc. (the Manager) as the Fund's investment manager and
administrator include determining the composition of the Fund's portfolio and
placing orders to buy, sell or hold particular securities; furnishing corporate
officers and clerical staff; providing office space, services and equipment; and
supervising all matters relating to the Fund's operation. For these services,
the Fund pays the Manager investment management and administration fees,
computed daily and paid monthly, based on its average daily net assets, at the
annualized rate of .975% on the first $500 million, .95% on the next $500
million, .925% on the next $500 million and .90% on amounts thereafter. This
rate is higher than that paid by most mutual funds. The Manager and GT Global
have undertaken to limit the Fund's expenses (exclusive of brokerage
commissions, taxes, interest and extraordinary expenses) to the annual rate of
1.50% of the average daily net assets of the Fund's Advisor Class shares. This
undertaking may be changed or eliminated in the future.
    
 
The Manager also serves as the Fund's pricing and accounting agent. For these
services the Manager receives a fee at an annual rate derived by applying 0.03%
to the first $5 billion of assets of GT Global Mutual Funds and 0.02% to the
assets in excess of $5 billion, and allocating the result according to the
Fund's average daily net assets.
 
The Manager provides investment management and/or administration services to the
GT Global Mutual Funds. The Manager and its worldwide asset management
affiliates have provided investment management and/or administration services to
institutional, corporate and individual clients around the world since 1969. The
U.S. offices of the Manager are located at 50 California Street, 27th Floor, San
Francisco, CA 94111, and 1166 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036.
 
   
The Manager and its worldwide affiliates, including LGT Bank in Liechtenstein,
compose Liechtenstein Global Trust. Liechtenstein Global Trust is a provider of
global asset management and private banking products and services to individual
and institutional investors. Liechtenstein Global Trust is controlled by the
Prince of Liechtenstein Foundation, which serves as a parent organization for
the various business enterprises of the Princely Family of Liechtenstein. The
principal business address of the Prince of Liechtenstein Foundation is
Herrengasse 12, FL-9490, Vaduz, Liechtenstein.
    
 
   
As of September 30, 1997, the Manager and its worldwide asset management
affiliates managed approximately $62 billion. In the United States, as of
September 30, 1997, the Manager managed or administered approximately $9 billion
of GT Global Funds. As of September 30, 1997, assets entrusted to Liechtenstein
Global Trust totaled approximately $86 billion.
    
 
In addition to the investment resources of its San Francisco and New York
offices, the Manager draws upon the expertise, personnel, data and systems of
other offices of Liechtenstein Global Trust, including investment offices in
Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, and Toronto. In managing
the GT Global Mutual Funds, the Manager employs a team approach,
 
                               Prospectus Page 25
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
taking advantage of its investment resources around the world in seeking to
achieve the Fund's investment objective. Many of the GT Global Mutual Funds'
portfolio managers are natives of the countries in which they invest, speak
local languages and/or live or work in the markets they follow.
 
The investment professionals primarily responsible for the portfolio management
of the Fund are as follows:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 RESPONSIBILITIES                             BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
       NAME/OFFICE                 FOR THE FUND                                 PAST FIVE YEARS
- --------------------------  --------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>                         <C>
Allan Conway                Portfolio Manager since     Mr. Conway joined Chancellor LGT Asset Management, Inc. (the
 London                      1997                        "Manager") and LGT Asset Management PLC (London), an affiliate
                                                         of the Manager, in January 1997 as Head of Global Emerging
                                                         Market Equities. Based in London, he manages a centralized
                                                         team of global emerging market fund managers. From 1992 to
                                                         1997, Mr. Conway was Director of International Equities at
                                                         Hermes Investment Management, and from 1982 to 1992 was a
                                                         Portfolio Manager, and eventually overall Head of Overseas
                                                         Equities, at Provident Mutual.
 
Michael Mabbutt             Portfolio Manager since     Mr. Mabbutt joined Chancellor LGT Asset Management, Inc. (the
 London                      1997                        "Manager") and LGT Asset Management PLC (London), an affiliate
                                                         of the Manager, in December 1996. He was appointed Head of
                                                         Global Emerging Market Debt for the Manager in April 1997.
                                                         Prior to joining the Manager, he was a Senior Portfolio
                                                         Manager for global fixed income at Baring Asset Management in
                                                         London from 1992 to 1996. At Baring Asset Management, he was
                                                         responsible for creating the emerging market debt process as
                                                         head of the five member Emerging Market Fixed Income Strategy
                                                         Group.
 
Cheng-Hock Lau              Portfolio Manager since     Mr. Lau has been Chief Investment Officer for Developed Market
 New York                    1997                        Debt for the Manager since November 1996, and was a Senior
                                                         Portfolio Manager for global/international fixed income for
                                                         the Manager from July 1995 to November 1996. Mr. Lau was a
                                                         Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager for
                                                         Fiduciary Trust Company International from 1993 to 1995, and
                                                         Vice President at Bankers Trust Company from 1991 to 1993.
</TABLE>
    
 
In placing securities orders for the Fund's portfolio transactions, the Manager
seeks to obtain the best net results. Consistent with its obligation to obtain
the best net results, the Manager may consider a broker/dealer's sale of shares
of the GT Global Mutual Funds as a factor in considering through whom portfolio
transactions will be effected. Brokerage transactions may be executed through
affiliates of Liechtenstein Global Trust.
 
DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES. GT Global is the distributor of the Fund's Advisor
Class shares. GT Global is a subsidiary of Liechtenstein Global Trust with
offices at 50 California Street, 27th Floor, San Francisco, California 94111.
 
The Manager or an affiliate thereof may make ongoing payments to Financial
Advisors and others that facilitate the administration and servicing of Advisor
Class shareholder accounts.
 
   
The Fund reserves the right to suspend the offering of its shares upon the
advice of the Manager that doing so is in the best interest of the portfolio
management process.
    
 
   
GT Global, at its own expense, may provide promotional incentives to brokers
that sell shares of the Fund and/or shares of the other GT Global Mutual Funds.
In some instances additional compensation or promotional incentives may be
    
 
                               Prospectus Page 26
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
offered to brokers that have sold or may sell significant amounts of shares
during specified periods of time. Such compensation and incentives may include,
but are not limited to, cash, merchandise, trips and financial assistance to
broker/dealers in connection with preapproved conferences or seminars, sales or
training programs for invited sales personnel, payment for travel expenses
(including meals and lodging) incurred by sales personnel and members of their
families or other invited guests to various locations for such seminars or
training programs, seminars for the public, advertising and sales campaigns
regarding one or more of the GT Global Mutual Funds, and/or other events
sponsored by the broker.
 
The Glass-Steagall Act and other applicable laws, among other things, generally
prohibit federally chartered or supervised banks from engaging in the business
of underwriting or distributing securities. Accordingly, GT Global intends to
engage banks (if at all) only to perform administrative and shareholder
servicing functions. Banks and broker/ dealer affiliates of banks may also
execute dealer agreements with GT Global for the purpose of selling shares of
the Fund. If a bank were prohibited from so acting, its shareholder clients
would be permitted to remain shareholders, and alternative means for continuing
the servicing of such shareholders would be sought. It is not expected that
shareholders would suffer any adverse financial consequences as a result of any
of these occurrences.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               OTHER INFORMATION
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
CONFIRMATIONS AND REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS. Each time a transaction is made that
affects a shareholder's account in the Fund, the shareholder will receive from
the Transfer Agent a confirmation statement reflecting the transaction.
Confirmations for transactions effected pursuant to the Fund's automatic
dividend reinvestment program may be provided quarterly. Shortly after the end
of the Fund's fiscal year on October 31 and fiscal half-year on April 30 of each
year, shareholders receive an annual and semiannual report, respectively. In
addition, the federal income tax status of distributions made by the Fund to
shareholders is reported after the end of each calendar year on Form 1099-DIV.
Under certain circumstances, duplicate mailings of the foregoing reports to the
same household may be consolidated.
 
ORGANIZATION OF THE COMPANY. The Company was organized as a Maryland corporation
on October 29, 1987. From time to time, the Company has established and may
continue to establish other funds, each corresponding to a distinct investment
portfolio and a distinct series of the Company's common stock. Shares of the
Fund are entitled to one vote per share (with proportional voting for fractional
shares) and are freely transferable. Shareholders have no preemptive or
conversion rights.
 
   
On any matter submitted to a vote of shareholders, shares of the Fund will be
voted by the Fund's shareholders individually when the matter affects the
specific interest of the Fund only, such as approval of its investment
management arrangements. The shares of the Company's funds will be voted in the
aggregate on other matters, such as the election of Directors and ratification
of the Board of Directors' selection of the Company's independent accountants.
    
 
Normally there will be no annual meeting of shareholders in any year, except as
required under the 1940 Act. The Company would be required to hold a
shareholders' meeting in the event that at any time less than a majority of the
Directors holding office had been elected by shareholders. Directors shall
continue to hold office until their successors are elected and have qualified.
Shares of the Company's funds do not have cumulative voting rights, which means
that the holders of a majority of the shares voting for the election of
Directors can elect all the Directors. A Director may be removed upon a majority
vote of the shareholders qualified to vote in the election. Shareholders holding
10% of the Company's outstanding voting securities may call a meeting of
shareholders for the purpose of voting upon the question of removal of any
Director or for any
 
                               Prospectus Page 27
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
other purpose. The 1940 Act requires the Company to assist shareholders in
calling such a meeting.
 
The Fund offers Advisor Class shares through this prospectus to certain
investors. The Fund also offers Class A shares and Class B shares to investors
through a separate prospectus. Each class of shares will experience different
net asset values and dividends as a result of different expenses borne by each
class of shares. The per share net asset value and dividends of the Advisor
Class shares of the Fund generally will be higher than that of the Class A and B
shares of the Fund because of the higher expenses borne by the Class A and B
shares. The per share dividends on Advisor Class shares of the Fund will
generally be higher than the per share dividends on Class A and B shares of the
Fund as a result of the service and distribution fees applicable with respect to
Class A and B shares. Consequently, during comparable periods, the Fund expects
that the total return on an investment in shares of the Advisor Class will be
higher than the total return on Class A or Class B shares.
 
Pursuant to the Company's Articles of Incorporation, it may issue six billion
shares. Of this number, 300 million shares have been classified as shares of the
Fund; 100 million shares have been classified as Class A shares of the Fund, 100
million shares have been classified as Class B shares of the Fund, and 100
million shares have been classified as Advisor Class shares of the Fund. This
amount may be increased from time to time in the discretion of the Board of
Directors. Each share of the Fund represents an interest in the Fund only, has a
par value of $0.0001 per share, represents an equal proportionate interest in
the Fund with other shares of the Fund and is entitled to such dividends and
other distributions out of the income earned and gain realized on the assets
belonging to the Fund as may be declared at the discretion of the Board of
Directors. Each Class A, Class B and Advisor Class share of the Fund is equal as
to earnings, assets and voting privileges, except as noted above, and each class
bears the expenses, if any, related to the distribution of its shares. Shares of
the Fund when issued are fully paid and nonassessable.
 
SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES. Shareholder inquiries may be made by calling the Fund
toll free at (800) 223-2138 or by writing to the Fund at P.O. Box 7893, San
Francisco, California 94120-7893.
 
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION. The Fund, from time to time, may include information on
its investment results and/or comparisons of its investment results to various
unmanaged indices or results of other mutual funds or groups of mutual funds in
advertisements, sales literature or reports furnished to present or prospective
shareholders.
 
In such materials, the Fund may quote its average annual total return
("Standardized Return"). Standardized Return is calculated separately for each
class of shares of the Fund. Standardized Return shows percentage rates
reflecting the average annual change in the value of an assumed investment in
the Fund at the end of one-, five- and ten-year periods, reduced by the maximum
applicable sales charge imposed on sales of Fund shares. If a one-, five- and/or
ten-year period has not yet elapsed, data will be provided as of the end of a
shorter period corresponding to the life of the Fund. Standardized Return
assumes reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions.
 
In addition, in order to more completely represent the Fund's performance or
more accurately compare such performance to other measures of investment return,
the Fund also may include in advertisements, sales literature and shareholder
reports other total return performance data ("Non-Standardized Return").
Non-Standardized return reflects percentage rates of return encompassing all
elements of total return (e.g., income and capital appreciation or
depreciation); it assumes reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions.
Non-Standardized Return may be quoted for the same or different periods as those
for which Standardized Return is quoted; it may consist of an aggregate or
average annual percentage rate of return, actual year-by-year rates or any
combination thereof. Non-Standardized Return may or may not take sales charges
into account; performance data calculated without taking the effect of sales
charges into account will be higher than data including the effect of such
charges.
 
The Fund's performance data reflects past performance and is not necessarily
indicative of future results. The Fund's investment results will vary from time
to time depending upon market conditions, the composition of its portfolio and
its operating expenses. These factors and possible differences in calculation
methods should be considered when comparing the Fund's investment results with
those published for other investment companies, other investment vehicles and
unmanaged indices. The Fund's results also should be considered relative to the
risks associated with its investment objective and policies. See
 
                               Prospectus Page 28
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
"Investment Results" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
The Fund's annual report contains additional information with respect to its
performance. The annual report is available to investors upon request and free
of charge.
 
TRANSFER AGENT. Shareholder servicing, reporting and general transfer agent
functions for the Fund are performed by GT Global Investor Services, Inc. The
Transfer Agent is an affiliate of the Manager and GT Global and a subsidiary of
Liechtenstein Global Trust, and maintains its offices at California Plaza, 2121
North California Boulevard, Suite 450, Walnut Creek, California 94596.
 
CUSTODIAN. State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 Franklin Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110 is custodian of the Fund's assets.
 
   
COUNSEL. The law firm of Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP, 1800 Massachusetts Avenue,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036-1800, acts as counsel to the Company and the Fund.
Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP also acts as counsel to the Manager, GT Global and
the Transfer Agent.
    
 
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS. The Company's and the Fund's independent accountants
are Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., One Post Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts
02109. Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. conducts an annual audit of the Fund, assists in
the preparation of the Fund's federal and state income tax returns and consults
with the Company and the Fund as to matters of accounting, regulatory filings,
and federal and state income taxation.
 
MULTIPLE TRANSLATIONS OF THE PROSPECTUS. This Prospectus may be translated into
other languages. In the event of any inconsistency or ambiguity as to the
meaning of any word or phrase contained in a translation, the English text shall
prevail.
 
                               Prospectus Page 29
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                                     NOTES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               Prospectus Page 30
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                                     NOTES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               Prospectus Page 31
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                                     NOTES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               Prospectus Page 32
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
   
                                     NOTES
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               Prospectus Page 33
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
   
                                GT GLOBAL FUNDS
    
 
   
  GT  GLOBAL  OFFERS A  BROAD  RANGE OF  FUNDS  TO COMPLEMENT  MANY INVESTORS'
  PORTFOLIOS. FOR MORE  INFORMATION AND A  PROSPECTUS ON ANY  GT GLOBAL  FUND,
  INCLUDING  FEES,  EXPENSES  AND  THE RISKS  OF  GLOBAL  AND  EMERGING MARKET
  INVESTING AND THE RISKS OF  INVESTING IN RELATED INDUSTRIES, PLEASE  CONTACT
  YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISER OR CALL GT GLOBAL DIRECTLY AT 1-800-824-1580.
    
 
GROWTH FUNDS
 
/ / GLOBALLY DIVERSIFIED FUNDS
 
   
GT GLOBAL NEW DIMENSION FUND
    
   
Captures global growth opportunities by investing directly in the six GT Global
Theme Funds
    
 
GT GLOBAL WORLDWIDE GROWTH FUND
Invests around the world, including the U.S.
 
GT GLOBAL INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND
Provides portfolio diversity by investing outside
the U.S.
 
GT GLOBAL EMERGING MARKETS FUND
Gives access to the growth potential of developing economies
 
GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
   
Invests in debt and equity securities of developing market issuers
    
 
/ / GLOBAL THEME FUNDS
 
GT GLOBAL CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND
SERVICES FUND
Invests in companies that manufacture, market, retail, or distribute consumer
products or services
 
GT GLOBAL FINANCIAL SERVICES FUND
Focuses on the worldwide opportunities from the demand for financial services
and products
 
GT GLOBAL HEALTH CARE FUND
Invests in growing health care industries worldwide
 
GT GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUND
Seeks companies that build, improve or maintain a country's infrastructure
 
GT GLOBAL NATURAL RESOURCES FUND
Concentrates on companies that own, explore or develop natural resources
 
GT GLOBAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS FUND
Invests in companies worldwide that develop, manufacture or sell
telecommunications services or equipment
 
/ / REGIONALLY DIVERSIFIED FUNDS
 
GT GLOBAL NEW PACIFIC GROWTH FUND
Offers access to the emerging and established markets of the Pacific Rim,
excluding Japan
 
GT GLOBAL EUROPE GROWTH FUND
Focuses on investment opportunities in the new, unified Europe
 
GT GLOBAL LATIN AMERICA GROWTH FUND
Invests in the emerging markets of Latin America
 
/ / SINGLE COUNTRY FUNDS
 
GT GLOBAL AMERICA SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND
Invests in equity securities of small U.S. companies
 
GT GLOBAL AMERICA MID CAP GROWTH FUND
Concentrates on medium-sized companies in the U.S.
 
GT GLOBAL AMERICA VALUE FUND
Concentrates on equity securities of large cap U.S. companies believed to be
undervalued
 
GT GLOBAL JAPAN GROWTH FUND
Provides U.S. investors with direct access to the Japanese market
 
GROWTH AND INCOME FUND
 
GT GLOBAL GROWTH & INCOME FUND
Invests in blue-chip stocks and government bonds from around the world
 
INCOME FUNDS
 
GT GLOBAL GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND
Earns monthly income from global government securities
 
GT GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
Allocates its assets among debt securities from the U.S., developed foreign
countries and emerging markets
 
GT GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND
Invests in debt securities in emerging markets
 
GT GLOBAL FLOATING RATE FUND
Invests primarily in senior secured floating rate loans that have the potential
to achieve a high level of current income
 
MONEY MARKET FUND
 
GT GLOBAL DOLLAR FUND
Invests in high quality, U.S. dollar-denominated money market securities
worldwide for stability and preservation of capital
 
[LOGO]
 
  NO  DEALER, SALES REPRESENTATIVE OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE
  ANY INFORMATION  OR  TO  MAKE  ANY  REPRESENTATION  NOT  CONTAINED  IN  THIS
  PROSPECTUS  AND, IF GIVEN  OR MADE, SUCH  INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST
  NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY G.T. INVESTMENT FUNDS, INC.,
  GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, CHANCELLOR LGT ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.  OR
  GT  GLOBAL, INC.  THIS PROSPECTUS  DOES NOT CONSTITUTE  AN OFFER  TO SELL OR
  SOLICITATION OF ANY OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY
  JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER IN SUCH
  JURISDICTION.
   
                                                                GTDPV711001M
    
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                        50 California Street, 27th Floor
                        San Francisco, California 94111
                                 (415) 392-6181
                           Toll Free: (800) 824-1580
                      Statement of Additional Information
                                November 1, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
This  Statement of  Additional Information  relates to the  Class A  and Class B
shares of  GT  Global  Developing Markets  Fund  (the  "Fund"). The  Fund  is  a
non-diversified  series  of  G.T.  Investment  Funds,  Inc.  (the  "Company"), a
registered open-end  management investment  company. On  October 31,  1997,  the
Fund,  which had no previous operating  history, acquired the assets and assumed
the liabilities of G.T. Global  Developing Markets Fund, Inc. (the  "Predecessor
Fund"),   a  closed-end   investment  company.  This   Statement  of  Additional
Information, which  is not  a  prospectus, supplements  and  should be  read  in
conjunction  with  the  Fund's current  Class  A  and Class  B  Prospectus dated
November 1, 1997, a copy of which is available without charge by writing to  the
above  address or by calling  the Fund at the  toll-free telephone number listed
above.
    
 
Chancellor LGT  Asset Management,  Inc.  (the "Manager")  serves as  the  Fund's
investment manager and administrator. The distributor of the Fund's shares is GT
Global,  Inc. ("GT  Global"). The  Fund's transfer  agent is  GT Global Investor
Services, Inc. ("GT Services" or the "Transfer Agent").
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                           Page No.
                                                                                                                           --------
<S>                                                                                                                        <C>
Investment Objectives and Policies.......................................................................................      2
Options, Futures and Currency Strategies.................................................................................      7
Risk Factors.............................................................................................................     15
Investment Limitations...................................................................................................     21
Execution of Portfolio Transactions......................................................................................     22
Directors and Executive Officers.........................................................................................     25
Management...............................................................................................................     27
Valuation of Fund Shares.................................................................................................     28
Information Relating to Sales and Redemptions............................................................................     29
Taxes....................................................................................................................     33
Additional Information...................................................................................................     35
Investment Results.......................................................................................................     36
Description of Debt Ratings..............................................................................................     42
Financial Statements.....................................................................................................     44
</TABLE>
    
 
[LOGO]
 
                   Statement of Additional Information Page 1
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                           INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND
                                    POLICIES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES
   
The  primary investment objective of the Fund is long-term capital appreciation.
Its secondary  investment objective  is income,  to the  extent consistent  with
seeking capital appreciation. The Fund normally invests substantially all of its
assets  in issuers  in the developing  (or "emerging") markets  of Asia, Europe,
Latin America and elsewhere. The Fund does not consider the following  countries
to  be emerging markets: Australia,  Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, England,
Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy,  Japan, the Netherlands, New  Zealand,
Norway,  Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the  United States. In determining which
countries constitute emerging  markets, the Manager  will consider, among  other
things,   data,  analysis,   and  classification   of  countries   published  or
disseminated by  the  International  Bank  for  Reconstruction  and  Development
(commonly  known as  the World Bank)  and the  International Finance Corporation
("IFC").
    
 
SELECTION OF EQUITY INVESTMENTS
For investment  purposes, an  issuer is  typically considered  as located  in  a
particular  country  if it  (a) is  incorporated under  the laws  of or  has its
principal office in that country, or (b) it normally derives 50% or more of  its
total  revenue from  business in that  country. However, these  are not absolute
requirements, and certain  companies incorporated  in a  particular country  and
considered  by the Manager  to be located  in that country  may have substantial
off-shore operations or subsidiaries and/or  export sales exceeding in size  the
assets or sales in that country.
 
In  determining  the  appropriate  distribution  of  investments  among  various
countries and geographic regions for the Fund, the Manager ordinarily  considers
the  following  factors:  prospects  for  relative  economic  growth  among  the
different countries in which the Fund may invest; expected levels of  inflation;
government  policies influencing  business conditions; the  outlook for currency
relationships;  and  the  range  of  the  individual  investment   opportunities
available to international investors.
 
In  analyzing  companies in  emerging markets  for investment  by the  Fund, the
Manager ordinarily looks for  one or more of  the following characteristics:  an
above-average  earnings  growth  per  share; high  return  on  invested capital;
healthy balance  sheet;  sound financial  and  accounting policies  and  overall
financial  strength;  strong  competitive  advantages;  effective  research  and
product development  and  marketing;  efficient  service;  pricing  flexibility;
strength  of management; and general operating characteristics which will enable
the companies  to  compete successfully  in  their respective  marketplaces.  In
certain countries, governmental restrictions and other limitations on investment
may  affect the maximum percentage of equity ownership in any one company by the
Fund. In addition, in some instances  only special classes of securities may  be
purchased by foreigners and the market prices, liquidity and rights with respect
to those securities may vary from shares owned by nationals.
 
Although  the Fund values  its assets daily  in terms of  U.S. dollars, the Fund
does not intend to convert its holdings of foreign currencies into U.S.  dollars
on a daily basis. The Fund will do so from time to time, and investors should be
aware  of the costs of currency conversion. Although foreign exchange dealers do
not charge  a  fee  for conversion,  they  do  realize a  profit  based  on  the
difference  ("spread") between the  prices at which they  are buying and selling
various currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer  to sell a foreign currency to  the
Fund  at one  rate, while  offering a  lesser rate  of exchange  should the Fund
desire to sell that currency to the dealer.
 
The Fund may be prohibited under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as  amended
("1940 Act"), from purchasing the securities of any foreign company that, in its
most  recent  fiscal year,  derived more  than  15% of  its gross  revenues from
securities-related activities ("securities-related companies").  In a number  of
countries,   commercial  banks  act  as  securities  broker/dealers,  investment
advisers and underwriters or otherwise engage in securities-related  activities,
which  may limit the Fund's ability to hold securities issued by such banks. The
Fund has  obtained an  exemption  from the  Securities and  Exchange  Commission
("SEC") to permit it to invest in certain of these securities subject to certain
restrictions.
 
INVESTMENTS IN OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES
The  Fund may invest in the securities of investment companies within the limits
of the 1940 Act. These limitations currently provide that, in general, the  Fund
may  purchase  shares  of a  closed-end  investment  company unless  (a)  such a
purchase would cause the Fund to own in the aggregate more than 3 percent of the
total outstanding voting stock of the
 
                   Statement of Additional Information Page 2
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
investment company or (b) such a purchase would cause the Fund to have more than
5 percent of its total assets invested in the investment company or more than 10
percent of its  total assets  invested in an  aggregate of  all such  investment
companies.  Investment in such investment companies may also involve the payment
of substantial premiums above the value of such companies' portfolio securities.
The Fund does not intend to invest  in such investment companies unless, in  the
judgment  of the Manager, the potential benefits of such investments justify the
payment of  any applicable  premiums.  The return  on  such securities  will  be
reduced  by  operating  expenses of  such  companies including  payments  to the
investment managers of those investment companies.
 
DEPOSITORY RECEIPTS
   
The Fund may hold equity securities of  foreign issuers in the form of  American
Depository  Receipts  ("ADRs"),  American  Depository  Shares  ("ADSs"),  Global
Depository Receipts ("GDRs") and European Depository Receipts ("EDRs"), or other
securities convertible into securities of eligible issuers. These securities may
not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the securities for  which
they may be exchanged. ADRs and ADSs typically are issued by an American bank or
trust  company  and  evidence ownership  of  underlying securities  issued  by a
foreign corporation.  EDRs,  which  are sometimes  referred  to  as  Continental
Depository  Receipts ("CDRs"), are  issued in Europe  typically by foreign banks
and trust  companies  and  evidence  ownership of  either  foreign  or  domestic
securities.  Generally, ADRs and ADSs in registered form are designed for use in
United States securities markets and EDRs in bearer form are designed for use in
European securities markets. For purposes of the Fund's investment policies, the
Fund's investments in ADRs, ADSs  and EDRs will be  deemed to be investments  in
the equity securities representing securities of foreign issuers into which they
may be converted.
    
 
ADR  facilities may be established as either "unsponsored" or "sponsored." While
ADRs issued under these  two types of facilities  are in some respects  similar,
there  are distinctions between  them relating to the  rights and obligations of
ADR holders and the practices of market participants. A depository may establish
an unsponsored  facility  without  participation by  (or  even  necessarily  the
acquiescence  of) the issuer of the deposited securities, although typically the
depository requests a  letter of  non-objection from  such issuer  prior to  the
establishment  of the facility.  Holders of unsponsored  ADRs generally bear all
the costs  of such  facilities. The  depository usually  charges fees  upon  the
deposit  and withdrawal of the deposited securities, the conversion of dividends
into  U.S.  dollars,  the  disposition   of  non-cash  distributions,  and   the
performance  of  other  services.  The  depository  of  an  unsponsored facility
frequently is  under  no  obligation to  distribute  shareholder  communications
received  from the issuer of the  deposited securities or to pass-through voting
rights to ADR  holders in  respect of  the deposited  securities. Sponsored  ADR
facilities  are created in generally the  same manner as unsponsored facilities,
except that  the  issuer of  the  deposited  securities enters  into  a  deposit
agreement  with the  depository. The deposit  agreement sets out  the rights and
responsibilities of  the  issuer,  the  depository and  the  ADR  holders.  With
sponsored facilities, the issuer of the deposited securities generally will bear
some of the costs relating to the facility (such as dividend payment fees of the
depository),  although ADR holders continue to bear certain other costs (such as
deposit and withdrawal fees).  Under the terms  of most sponsored  arrangements,
depositories  agree  to distribute  notices of  shareholder meetings  and voting
instructions, and to provide shareholder communications and other information to
the ADR holders at the  request of the issuer  of the deposited securities.  The
Fund may invest in both sponsored and unsponsored ADRs.
 
WARRANTS OR RIGHTS
Warrants  or  rights  may be  acquired  by  the Fund  in  connection  with other
securities or separately and provide  the Fund with the  right to purchase at  a
later  date other securities of the  issuer. Warrants are securities permitting,
but  not  obligating,  their  holder  to  subscribe  for  other  securities   or
commodities.  Warrants do not carry  with them the right  to dividends or voting
rights with  respect  to  the  securities that  they  entitle  their  holder  to
purchase, and they do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer. As a
result,  warrants may be considered more speculative than certain other types of
investments. In addition,  the value of  a warrant does  not necessarily  change
with  the value of the underlying securities  and a warrant ceases to have value
if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date.
 
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
   
For the purpose of realizing additional income, the Fund may make secured  loans
of  portfolio securities  amounting to  not more than  30% of  its total assets.
Securities loans are made to broker/dealers or institutional investors  pursuant
to  agreements requiring that the loans continuously be secured by collateral at
least equal at all times  to the value of the  securities lent plus any  accrued
interest,  "marked to  market" on  a daily  basis. The  Fund may  pay reasonable
administrative and custodial fees  in connection with  loans of its  securities.
While  the securities loan is outstanding, the Fund will continue to receive the
equivalent of the interest or dividends paid by the issuer on the securities, as
well as interest on the investment of the collateral or a fee from the borrower.
The Fund will have a  right to call each loan  and obtain the securities  within
the  stated settlement period. The  Fund will not have  the right to vote equity
securities while they are lent,
    
 
                   Statement of Additional Information Page 3
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
but it may call in a loan in  anticipation of any important vote. Loans will  be
made  only to firms deemed by the Manager to be of good standing and will not be
made unless, in the judgment of the Manager, the consideration to be earned from
such loans would justify the risk.
 
COMMERCIAL BANK OBLIGATIONS
For the  purposes  of  the  Fund's investment  policies  with  respect  to  bank
obligations,  obligations of foreign branches of U.S. banks and of foreign banks
are obligations of the issuing bank and may be general obligations of the parent
bank. Such  obligations, however,  may be  limited by  the terms  of a  specific
obligation  and  by  government  regulation.  As  with  investment  in  non-U.S.
securities in general,  investments in  the obligations of  foreign branches  of
U.S.  banks and of foreign  banks may subject the  Fund to investment risks that
are different  in some  respects from  those of  investments in  obligations  of
domestic  issuers. Although the  Fund typically will  acquire obligations issued
and supported by the credit of U.S. or foreign banks having total assets at  the
time  of purchase  in excess  of $1 billion,  this $1  billion figure  is not an
investment policy or restriction  of the Fund. For  the purposes of  calculation
with  respect to the $1 billion  figure, the assets of a  bank will be deemed to
include the assets of its U.S. and non-U.S. branches.
 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
A repurchase agreement is a transaction  in which the Fund purchases a  security
from a bank or recognized securities dealer and simultaneously commits to resell
that  security to the bank  or dealer at an agreed  upon price, date, and market
rate of  interest unrelated  to the  coupon rate  or maturity  of the  purchased
security. Although repurchase agreements carry certain risks not associated with
direct investments in securities, including possible decline in the market value
of the underlying securities and delays and costs to the Fund if the other party
to  the repurchase  agreement becomes bankrupt,  the Fund intends  to enter into
repurchase agreements only  with banks and  dealers believed by  the Manager  to
present  minimum credit risks  in accordance with  guidelines established by the
Company's  Board  of  Directors.  The  Manager  will  review  and  monitor   the
creditworthiness of such institutions under the Board's general supervision.
 
   
The  Fund will invest only in  repurchase agreements collateralized at all times
in an amount at least  equal to the repurchase  price plus accrued interest.  To
the  extent that the proceeds from any sale of such collateral upon a default in
the obligation to repurchase were less than the repurchase price, the Fund would
suffer a loss.  If the financial  institution which is  party to the  repurchase
agreement petitions for bankruptcy or otherwise becomes subject to bankruptcy or
other  liquidation proceedings, there may be  restrictions on the Fund's ability
to sell the collateral and the Fund  could suffer a loss. However, with  respect
to  financial  institutions  whose  bankruptcy  or  liquidation  proceedings are
subject to the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, the Fund intends to comply with  provisions
under  the U.S. Bankruptcy  Code that would  allow it immediately  to resell the
collateral. There is no limitation on the  amount of the Fund's assets that  may
be  subject to repurchase agreements at any  given time. The Fund will not enter
into a repurchase agreement  with a maturity  of more than seven  days if, as  a
result,  more than 15% of the value of  its net assets would be invested in such
repurchase agreements and other illiquid investments.
    
 
BORROWING AND REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Fund's borrowings will not exceed 33 1/3% of the Fund's total assets,  i.e.,
the  Fund's total assets at all times will  equal at least 300% of the amount of
outstanding borrowings.  If  market fluctuations  in  the value  of  the  Fund's
portfolio  holdings or other factors cause the  ratio of the Fund's total assets
to outstanding  borrowings to  fall  below 300%,  within three  days  (excluding
Sundays  and holidays) of such event the  Fund may be required to sell portfolio
securities to restore the  300% asset coverage, even  though from an  investment
standpoint  such sales might be disadvantageous. The  Fund also may borrow up to
5% of its total assets  for temporary or emergency  purposes other than to  meet
redemptions.  Any borrowing  by the  Fund may  cause greater  fluctuation in the
value of its shares than would be the case if the Fund did not borrow.
 
The Fund's fundamental investment  limitations permit the  Fund to borrow  money
for leveraging purposes. The Fund, however, currently is prohibited, pursuant to
a  non-fundamental investment policy, from borrowing  money in order to purchase
securities. Nevertheless, this policy may be changed in the future by a vote  of
a  majority of  the Company's  Board of  Directors. In  the event  that the Fund
employs leverage in the future, it would be subject to certain additional risks.
Use of leverage creates an opportunity  for greater growth of capital but  would
exaggerate  any increases or decreases  in the Fund's net  asset value. When the
income and gains on securities purchased with the proceeds of borrowings  exceed
the  costs  of such  borrowings, the  Fund's  earnings or  net asset  value will
increase faster than otherwise would be the case; conversely, if such income and
gains fail to exceed such  costs, the Fund's earnings  or net asset value  would
decline faster than would otherwise be the case.
 
The  Fund may  enter into  reverse repurchase  agreements. A  reverse repurchase
agreement is a borrowing transaction in which the Fund transfers possession of a
security to another party, such as a  bank or broker/dealer in return for  cash,
and  agrees to repurchase  the security in  the future at  an agreed upon price,
which includes an interest component. The Fund
 
                   Statement of Additional Information Page 4
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
will maintain,  in  a  segregated  account with  a  custodian,  cash  or  liquid
securities  in  an  amount sufficient  to  cover its  obligations  under reverse
repurchase agreements  with  broker/dealers.  No  segregation  is  required  for
reverse repurchase agreements with banks.
 
SHORT SALES
The  Fund is authorized  to make short  sales of securities,  although it has no
current intention of doing so. A short  sale is a transaction in which the  Fund
sells  a security in  anticipation that the  market price of  that security will
decline. The  Fund may  make short  sales (i)  as a  form of  hedging to  offset
potential  declines  in long  positions in  securities  it owns,  or anticipates
acquiring, and (ii)  in order to  maintain portfolio flexibility.  The Fund  may
only make short sales "against the box." In this type of short sale, at the time
of  the sale the Fund owns  the security it has sold  short or has the immediate
and unconditional right to acquire the identical security at no additional cost.
 
In a short sale, the seller does not immediately deliver the securities sold and
does not receive the proceeds from the sale. To make delivery to the  purchaser,
the  executing broker borrows the  securities being sold short  on behalf of the
seller. The seller is said to have a short position in the securities sold until
it delivers the securities sold, at which  time it receives the proceeds of  the
sale.  To secure its obligation to deliver  securities sold short, the Fund will
deposit in  a  separate  account with  its  custodian  an equal  amount  of  the
securities  sold short or  securities convertible into  or exchangeable for such
securities at no cost. The Fund could  close out a short position by  purchasing
and  delivering an  equal amount  of the securities  sold short,  rather than by
delivering securities already held by the  Fund, because the Fund might want  to
continue  to  receive  interest  and  dividend  payments  on  securities  in its
portfolio that are convertible into the securities sold short.
 
   
The Fund might make  a short sale  "against the box" in  order to hedge  against
market risks when the Manager believes that the price of a security may decline,
causing  a decline in  the value of a  security owned by the  Fund or a security
convertible into or  exchangeable for such  security. In such  case, any  future
losses  in the  Fund's long position  should be reduced  by a gain  in the short
position. Conversely, any gain in the long position should be reduced by a  loss
in  the short  position. The extent  to which such  gains or losses  in the long
position are reduced will  depend upon the amount  of the securities sold  short
relative  to the  amount of  the securities  the Fund  owns, either  directly or
indirectly, and, in the case where the Fund owns convertible securities, changes
in the investment values or conversion  premiums of such securities. There  will
be certain additional transaction costs associated with short sales "against the
box,"  but the  Fund will endeavor  to offset  these costs with  income from the
investment of the cash proceeds of short sales.
    
 
YANKEE BONDS
The Fund may invest in U.S.  dollar-denominated bonds sold in the United  States
by  non-U.S.  issuers ("Yankee  bonds"). As  compared with  bonds issued  in the
United States, such bond  issues normally carry a  higher interest rate but  are
less actively traded.
 
TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE STRATEGIES
The  Fund may invest in  the following types of  money market instruments (i.e.,
debt instruments with less than 12 months remaining until maturity)  denominated
in U.S. dollars or other currencies: (a) obligations issued or guaranteed by the
U.S.    or   foreign   governments,   their   agencies,   instrumentalities   or
municipalities; (b)  obligations  of  international  organizations  designed  or
supported   by  multiple  foreign  governmental  entities  to  promote  economic
reconstruction  or  development;  (c)  finance  company  obligations,  corporate
commercial   paper  and  other  short-term   commercial  obligations;  (d)  bank
obligations (including certificates of  deposit, time deposits, demand  deposits
and  bankers'  acceptances);  (e)  repurchase  agreements  with  respect  to the
foregoing; and (f) other substantially  similar short-term debt securities  with
comparable characteristics.
 
   
The Fund may invest in commercial paper rated as low as A-3 by Standard & Poor's
Ratings  Group ("S&P") or P-3 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or,
if not rated, determined by the Manager to be of comparable quality. Obligations
rated A-3 and P-3 are  considered by S&P and  Moody's, respectively, to have  an
acceptable  capacity for timely repayment. However, these securities may be more
vulnerable to  adverse  effects of  changes  in circumstances  than  obligations
carrying higher designations.
    
 
PREMIUM SECURITIES
The  Fund  may invest  in  income securities  bearing  coupon rates  higher than
prevailing market rates.  Such "premium" securities  are typically purchased  at
prices greater than the principal amounts payable on maturity. The Fund will not
amortize  the premium paid for such securities in calculating its net investment
income. As a result, in such cases the purchase of such securities provides  the
Fund  a higher  level of  investment income  distributable to  shareholders on a
current basis than if the Fund purchased securities bearing current market rates
of interest. If securities purchased by the
 
                   Statement of Additional Information Page 5
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
Fund at a premium are called or sold prior to maturity, the Fund will realize  a
loss  to the  extent the  call or sale  price is  less than  the purchase price.
Additionally, the  Fund will  realize a  loss  if it  holds such  securities  to
maturity.
 
INDEXED DEBT SECURITIES
The  Fund  may invest  in debt  securities  issued by  banks and  other business
entities not located in developing market countries that are indexed to  certain
specific  foreign  currency exchange  rates, interest  rates or  other reference
rates. The  terms of  such securities  provide that  their principal  amount  is
adjusted  upwards or  downwards (but ordinarily  not below zero)  at maturity to
reflect changes in  the exchange rate  between two currencies  (or other  rates)
while the obligations are outstanding. While such securities offer the potential
for  an  attractive  rate  of return,  they  also  entail the  risk  of  loss of
principal. New forms of such securities  continue to be developed. The Fund  may
invest  in  such  securities  to  the  extent  consistent  with  its  investment
objectives.
 
STRUCTURED INVESTMENTS
The Fund may invest a portion of  its assets in interests in entities  organized
and   operated  solely   for  the   purpose  of   restructuring  the  investment
characteristics of  Sovereign  Debt. This  type  of restructuring  involves  the
deposit  with  or purchase  by an  entity, such  as a  corporation or  trust, of
specified instruments (such  as commercial bank  loans or Brady  Bonds) and  the
issuance  by  that entity  of  one or  more  classes of  securities ("Structured
Investments")  backed  by,   or  representing  interests   in,  the   underlying
instruments.  The cash  flow on  the underlying  instruments may  be apportioned
among  the  newly  issued  Structured  Investments  to  create  securities  with
different   investment  characteristics  such  as  varying  maturities,  payment
priorities and interest  rate provisions, and  the extent of  the payments  made
with  respect to Structured Investments  is dependent on the  extent of the cash
flow on the underlying instruments.  Because Structured Investments of the  type
in  which  the  Fund anticipates  it  will  invest typically  involve  no credit
enhancement, their  credit risk  generally will  be equivalent  to that  of  the
underlying instruments.
 
The  Fund is permitted  to invest in  a class of  Structured Investments that is
either subordinated  or not  subordinated to  the right  of payment  of  another
class.  Subordinated  Structured Investments  typically  have higher  yields and
present greater risks than unsubordinated Structured Investments.
 
   
Certain issuers  of  Structured Investments  may  be deemed  to  be  "investment
companies"  as defined in  the 1940 Act.  As a result,  the Fund's investment in
these Structured Investments may be limited by the restrictions contained in the
1940  Act  described  above  under   "Investment  Objectives  and  Policies   --
Investments in Other Investment Companies." Structured Investments are typically
sold in private placement transactions, and there currently is no active trading
market for Structured Investments.
    
 
STRIPPED INCOME SECURITIES
Stripped  income securities are obligations representing an interest in all or a
portion of  the income  or  principal components  of  an underlying  or  related
security,  a pool of securities  or other assets. In  the most extreme case, one
class will receive all of the interest (the interest only or "IO" class),  while
the  other class will receive  all of the principal  (the principal-only or "PO"
class). The market values of stripped income securities tend to be more volatile
in  response  to  changes  in  interest  rates  than  are  conventional   income
securities.
 
FLOATING AND VARIABLE RATE INCOME SECURITIES
Income securities may provide for floating or variable rate interest or dividend
payments.  The floating  or variable  rate may be  determined by  reference to a
known lending rate, such as a bank's  prime rate, a certificate of deposit  rate
or  the London Inter Bank  Offered Rate (LIBOR). Alternatively,  the rate may be
determined through  an auction  or remarketing  process. The  rate also  may  be
indexed  to  changes  in the  values  of  interest rate  or  securities indexes,
currency exchange rates or other commodities. The amount by which the rate  paid
on  an income security  may increase or  decrease may be  subject to periodic or
lifetime caps. Floating and variable  rate income securities include  securities
whose  rates  vary inversely  with  changes in  market  rates of  interest. Such
securities may also pay a rate of interest determined by applying a multiple  to
the  variable  rate. The  extent  of increases  and  decreases in  the  value of
securities whose rates vary inversely with  changes in market rates of  interest
generally  will  be larger  than comparable  changes  in the  value of  an equal
principal amount  of  a  fixed  rate security  having  similar  credit  quality,
redemption provisions and maturity.
 
   
SWAPS, CAPS, FLOORS AND COLLARS
    
The Fund may enter into interest rate, currency and index swaps and may purchase
or  sell related caps, floors and  collars and other derivative instruments. The
Fund expects to enter into these transactions primarily to preserve a return  or
spread  on  a particular  investment  or portion  of  its portfolio,  to protect
against currency  fluctuations,  as a  technique  for managing  the  portfolio's
duration  (I.E.,  the price  sensitivity  to changes  in  interest rates)  or to
protect against any  increase in the  price of securities  the Fund  anticipates
purchasing  at  a later  date. The  Fund  intends to  use these  transactions as
 
                   Statement of Additional Information Page 6
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
hedges and will not sell  interest rate caps, floors or  collars if it does  not
own   securities  or  other  instruments  providing  an  income  stream  roughly
equivalent to what the Fund may be obligated to pay.
 
Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of their
respective commitments to pay or receive  interest (for example, an exchange  of
floating  rate  payments for  fixed rate  payments) with  respect to  a notional
amount of principal. A currency swap is an agreement to exchange cash flows on a
notional amount based on changes in the values of the reference indices.
 
The purchase of a cap entitles the  purchaser to receive payments on a  notional
principal  amount from the party selling the  cap to the extent that a specified
index exceeds a predetermined  interest rate. The purchase  of an interest  rate
floor  entitles the purchaser to receive payments on a notional principal amount
from the party  selling the floor  to the  extent that a  specified index  falls
below  a predetermined interest rate  or amount. A collar  is a combination of a
cap and a floor that preserves a certain return within a predetermined range  of
interest rates or values.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                         OPTIONS, FUTURES AND CURRENCY
                                   STRATEGIES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
SPECIAL RISKS OF OPTIONS, FUTURES AND CURRENCY STRATEGIES
The  use of options, futures contracts  and forward currency contracts ("Forward
Contracts") involves special considerations and risks, as described below. Risks
pertaining to particular instruments are described in the sections that follow.
 
        (1) Successful  use  of  most  of these  instruments  depends  upon  the
    Manager's  ability  to  predict  movements  of  the  overall  securities and
    currency markets, which requires different skills than predicting changes in
    the prices of individual securities. While the Manager is experienced in the
    use of these  instruments, there  can be  no assurance  that any  particular
    strategy adopted will succeed.
 
        (2)  There  might  be  imperfect correlation,  or  even  no correlation,
    between price  movements  of  an  instrument  and  price  movements  of  the
    investments being hedged. For example, if the value of an instrument used in
    a  short hedge  increased by less  than the  decline in value  of the hedged
    investment, the  hedge  would  not  be fully  successful.  Such  a  lack  of
    correlation  might  occur  due to  factors  unrelated  to the  value  of the
    investments being  hedged, such  as speculative  or other  pressures on  the
    markets  in which  the hedging  instrument is  traded. The  effectiveness of
    hedges using hedging  instruments on indices  will depend on  the degree  of
    correlation  between price movements in the index and price movements in the
    investments being hedged.
 
        (3) Hedging strategies, if successful, can reduce risk of loss by wholly
    or partially offsetting the negative  effect of unfavorable price  movements
    in the investments being hedged. However, hedging strategies can also reduce
    opportunity  for gain by  offsetting the positive  effect of favorable price
    movements in the hedged investments. For  example, if a Fund entered into  a
    short  hedge  because the  Manager projected  a  decline in  the price  of a
    security in the Fund's portfolio, and  the price of that security  increased
    instead,  the gain from that increase might by wholly or partially offset by
    a decline in the price of the hedging instrument. Moreover, if the price  of
    the  hedging instrument declined by  more than the increase  in the price of
    the security, the Fund could  suffer a loss. In  either such case, the  Fund
    would have been in a better position had it not hedged at all.
 
        (4) As described below, the Fund might be required to maintain assets as
    "cover,"  maintain segregated accounts or make margin payments when it takes
    positions in  instruments  involving  obligations to  third  parties  (i.e.,
    instruments  other than purchased options). If the Fund were unable to close
    out its positions in such instruments,  it might be required to continue  to
    maintain  such assets or  accounts or make such  payments until the position
    expired or matured. The requirements might impair the Fund's ability to sell
    a portfolio security or make an investment at a time when it would otherwise
    be favorable to do so, or require that the Fund sell a portfolio security at
    a disadvantageous time.  The Fund's ability  to close out  a position in  an
    instrument  prior to  expiration or maturity  depends on the  existence of a
    liquid secondary market or, in the absence of such a market, the ability and
    willingness of the other party to the transaction ("contra party") to  enter
    into  a  transaction  closing  out  the  position.  Therefore,  there  is no
    assurance that any position can  be closed out at a  time and price that  is
    favorable to the Fund.
 
                   Statement of Additional Information Page 7
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
WRITING CALL OPTIONS
The  Fund may write  (sell) call options on  securities, indices and currencies.
Call options generally will be written on securities and currencies that, in the
opinion of the Manager  are not expected  to make any major  price moves in  the
near  future  but  that,  over  the  long  term,  are  deemed  to  be attractive
investments for the Fund.
 
A call option  gives the  holder (buyer)  the right  to purchase  a security  or
currency  at a specified price (the exercise  price) at any time until (American
Style) or on (European Style) a certain  date (the expiration date). So long  as
the  obligation of the writer of a call  option continues, he may be assigned an
exercise notice, requiring him  to deliver the  underlying security or  currency
against  payment  of the  exercise price.  This  obligation terminates  upon the
expiration of the call option, or such earlier time at which the writer  effects
a  closing  purchase  transaction  by purchasing  an  option  identical  to that
previously sold.
 
Portfolio securities or currencies on which call options may be written will  be
purchased  solely on the basis of  investment considerations consistent with the
Fund's investment objective. When writing a call option, the Fund, in return for
the premium, gives up the  opportunity for profit from  a price increase in  the
underlying  security or currency above the  exercise price, and retains the risk
of loss should the  price of the  security or currency  decline. Unlike one  who
owns  securities or currencies not subject to an option, the Fund has no control
over when it may  be required to sell  the underlying securities or  currencies,
since  most  options  may  be  exercised  at  any  time  prior  to  the option's
expiration. If a call option  that the Fund has  written expires, the Fund  will
realize a gain in the amount of the premium; however, such gain may be offset by
a  decline in the market value of the underlying security or currency during the
option period. If the call option is exercised, the Fund will realize a gain  or
loss  from  the sale  of  the underlying  security  or currency,  which  will be
increased or  offset by  the premium  received.  The Fund  does not  consider  a
security  or currency covered by  a call option to be  "pledged" as that term is
used in the Fund's policy that limits the pledging or mortgaging of its assets.
 
Writing call options can serve as a limited short hedge because declines in  the
value  of the  hedged investment would  be offset  to the extent  of the premium
received  for  writing  the  option.  However,  if  the  security  or   currency
appreciates to a price higher than the exercise price of the call option, it can
be  expected that the option will be exercised and the Fund will be obligated to
sell the security or currency at less than its market value.
 
The premium  that the  Fund receives  for writing  a call  option is  deemed  to
constitute the market value of an option. The premium the Fund will receive from
writing a call option will reflect, among other things, the current market price
of  the underlying  investment, the relationship  of the exercise  price to such
market price, the historical price volatility of the underlying investment,  and
the length of the option period. In determining whether a particular call option
should  be  written,  the  Manager  will  consider  the  reasonableness  of  the
anticipated premium and the likelihood that a liquid secondary market will exist
for those options.
 
Closing transactions  will  be effected  in  order to  realize  a profit  on  an
outstanding  call option,  to prevent  an underlying  security or  currency from
being called, or  to permit  the sale of  the underlying  security or  currency.
Furthermore,  effecting  a closing  transaction will  permit  the Fund  to write
another call  option  on the  underlying  security  or currency  with  either  a
different exercise price, expiration date or both.
 
The  Fund will pay transaction  costs in connection with  the writing of options
and in entering into closing  purchase contracts. Transaction costs relating  to
options  activity normally  are higher  than those  applicable to  purchases and
sales of portfolio securities.
 
The exercise price of the  options may be below, equal  to or above the  current
market values of the underlying securities or currencies at the time the options
are  written. From time to time, the Fund may purchase an underlying security or
currency for delivery in accordance with the exercise of an option, rather  than
delivering  such  security  or  currency  from  its  portfolio.  In  such cases,
additional costs will be incurred.
 
The Fund will realize a  profit or loss from  a closing purchase transaction  if
the  cost of  the transaction  is less or  more, respectively,  than the premium
received from writing  the option. Because  increases in the  market price of  a
call  option  generally  will  reflect  increases in  the  market  price  of the
underlying security or  currency, any loss  resulting from the  repurchase of  a
call  option is likely to be  offset in whole or in  part by appreciation of the
underlying security or currency owned by the Fund.
 
WRITING PUT OPTIONS
The Fund may  write put  options on securities,  indices and  currencies. A  put
option  gives the  purchaser of  the option  the right  to sell,  and the writer
(seller) the  obligation to  buy, the  underlying security  or currency  at  the
exercise price at any
 
                   Statement of Additional Information Page 8
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
time  until (American  style) or  on (European  style) the  expiration date. The
operation of put options  in other respects, including  their related risks  and
rewards, is substantially identical to that of call options.
 
The  Fund generally would  write put options in  circumstances where the Manager
wishes to purchase the underlying security or currency for the Fund's  portfolio
at  a price lower than the current market  price of the security or currency. In
such event, the Fund would write a put option at an exercise price that, reduced
by the premium received on the option, reflects the lower price it is willing to
pay. Since the Fund also would receive interest on debt securities or currencies
maintained to cover the  exercise price of the  option, this technique could  be
used to enhance current return during periods of market uncertainty. The risk in
such  a transaction would be that the market price of the underlying security or
currency would decline below the exercise price less the premium received.
 
Writing put options can serve as a  limited long hedge because increases in  the
value  of the  hedged investment would  be offset  to the extent  of the premium
received  for  writing  the  option.  However,  if  the  security  or   currency
depreciates  to a price lower than the exercise  price of the put option, it can
be expected that the put option will be exercised and the Fund will be obligated
to purchase the security or currency at greater than its market value.
 
PURCHASING PUT OPTIONS
The Fund may purchase put options on securities, indices and currencies. As  the
holder  of a put option, the Fund has  the right to sell the underlying security
or currency at  the exercise  price at  any time  until (American  style) or  on
(European  style)  the expiration  date. The  Fund may  enter into  closing sale
transactions with  respect to  such options,  exercise them  or permit  them  to
expire.
 
The  Fund  may purchase  a  put option  on  an underlying  security  or currency
("protective put") owned by the Fund in order to protect against an  anticipated
decline  in the  value of  the security  or currency.  Such hedge  protection is
provided only during the life of the put option when the Fund, as the holder  of
the  put option, is able to sell the  underlying security or currency at the put
exercise price regardless  of any  decline in the  underlying security's  market
price  or currency's exchange value. For example,  a put option may be purchased
in order to protect unrealized appreciation  of a security or currency when  the
Manager  deems it desirable to continue to hold the security or currency because
of tax considerations. The premium paid  for the put option and any  transaction
costs  would reduce  any profit  otherwise available  for distribution  when the
security or currency is eventually sold.
 
The Fund also may purchase put options at a time when the Fund does not own  the
underlying  security or  currency. By  purchasing put  options on  a security or
currency it does not own, the Fund seeks to benefit from a decline in the market
price of the underlying security or currency. If the put option is not sold when
it has remaining value, and  if the market price  of the underlying security  or
currency  remains equal to or greater than the exercise price during the life of
the put option, the Fund will lose  its entire investment in the put option.  In
order for the purchase of a put option to be profitable, the market price of the
underlying  security or  currency must  decline sufficiently  below the exercise
price to cover the premium and transaction costs, unless the put option is  sold
in a closing sale transaction.
 
PURCHASING CALL OPTIONS
The Fund may purchase call options on securities, indices and currencies. As the
holder  of  a  call  option, the  Fund  would  have the  right  to  purchase the
underlying security  or  currency  at  the exercise  price  at  any  time  until
(American  style) or on (European style) the expiration date. The Fund may enter
into closing sale transactions  with respect to such  options, exercise them  or
permit them to expire.
 
Call  options may  be purchased  by the  Fund for  the purpose  of acquiring the
underlying security or currency for its portfolio. Utilized in this fashion, the
purchase of  call options  would enable  the  Fund to  acquire the  security  or
currency  at the  exercise price of  the call  option plus the  premium paid. At
times, the net cost of acquiring the security or currency in this manner may  be
less  than  the  cost  of  acquiring the  security  or  currency  directly. This
technique also  may  be useful  to  the Fund  in  purchasing a  large  block  of
securities  that would be more difficult  to acquire by direct market purchases.
So long as it holds such a  call option, rather than the underlying security  or
currency  itself, the Fund is partially protected from any unexpected decline in
the market price  of the  underlying security or  currency and,  in such  event,
could  allow the call option  to expire, incurring a loss  only to the extent of
the premium paid for the option.
 
The Fund also may purchase call  options on underlying securities or  currencies
it  owns in order to protect unrealized gains on call options previously written
by  it.  A  call  option  could   be  purchased  for  this  purpose  where   tax
considerations  make  it inadvisable  to realize  such  gains through  a closing
purchase transaction.  Call options  also may  be purchased  at times  to  avoid
realizing  losses that would result in a reduction of the Fund's current return.
For example, where the Fund has written a call option on an underlying  security
or currency having a current market value below the price at which such security
or  currency was purchased  by the Fund,  an increase in  the market price could
result in the exercise of the call
 
                   Statement of Additional Information Page 9
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
option written by  the Fund  and the  realization of  a loss  on the  underlying
security  or currency. Accordingly, the Fund could purchase a call option on the
same underlying security or  currency, which could be  exercised to fulfill  the
Fund's  delivery obligations under  its written call (if  it is exercised). This
strategy could  allow  the Fund  to  avoid  selling the  portfolio  security  or
currency  at a time when it has an unrealized loss; however, the Fund would have
to pay a premium to purchase the call option plus transaction costs.
 
Aggregate premiums paid  for put  and call  options will  not exceed  5% of  the
Fund's total assets at the time of purchase.
 
The Fund may attempt to accomplish objectives similar to those involved in using
Forward  Contracts by purchasing put or call options on currencies. A put option
gives the  Fund as  purchaser  the right  (but not  the  obligation) to  sell  a
specified  amount of currency at the exercise  price at any time until (American
style) or on (European style) the expiration date. A call option gives the  Fund
as  purchaser the right (but not the  obligation) to purchase a specified amount
of currency at  the exercise  price at  any time  until (American  style) or  an
(European  style) the  expiration date. The  Fund might purchase  a currency put
option, for example, to protect itself against a decline in the dollar value  of
a  currency  in  which  it  holds  or  anticipates  holding  securities.  If the
currency's value should decline against the  dollar, the loss in currency  value
should  be offset, in whole or in part, by  an increase in the value of the put.
If the value of the currency instead should rise against the dollar, any gain to
the Fund would  be reduced  by the premium  it had  paid for the  put option.  A
currency  call option might be purchased, for example, in anticipation of, or to
protect against, a rise in the value  against the dollar of a currency in  which
the Fund anticipates purchasing securities.
 
Options  may  be either  listed  on an  exchange  or traded  in over-the-counter
("OTC") markets. Listed options are third-party contracts (I.E., performance  of
the  obligations of the  purchaser and seller  is guaranteed by  the exchange or
clearing corporation), and have standardized strike prices and expiration dates.
OTC options are two-party contracts with negotiated strike prices and expiration
dates. The Fund will not  purchase an OTC option  unless it believes that  daily
valuations  for such  options are  readily obtainable.  OTC options  differ from
exchange-traded options in that OTC options are transacted with dealers directly
and  not  through  a   clearing  corporation  (which  guarantees   performance).
Consequently,  there  is  a risk  of  non-performance  by the  dealer.  Since no
exchange is involved, OTC options are valued  on the basis of an average of  the
last  bid prices obtained from dealers, unless  a quotation from only one dealer
is available, in which case only that  dealer's price will be used. In the  case
of  OTC options, there can  be no assurance that  a liquid secondary market will
exist for any particular option at any specific time.
 
The staff of the SEC considers purchased OTC options to be illiquid  securities.
The  Fund  may also  sell OTC  options and,  in connection  therewith, segregate
assets or cover its obligations with respect to OTC options written by the Fund.
The assets used as cover for OTC options written by the Fund will be  considered
illiquid unless the OTC options are sold to qualified dealers who agree that the
Fund may repurchase any OTC option it writes at a maximum price to be calculated
by  a formula  set forth in  the option agreement.  The cover for  an OTC option
written subject  to this  procedure would  be considered  illiquid only  to  the
extent that the maximum repurchase price under the formula exceeds the intrinsic
value of the option.
 
The  Fund's  ability to  establish and  close  out positions  in exchange-listed
options depends  on  the existence  of  a liquid  market.  The Fund  intends  to
purchase  or write only those exchange-traded options for which there appears to
be a liquid secondary  market. However, there  can be no  assurance that such  a
market  will exist at any particular time.  Closing transactions can be made for
OTC options  only  by  negotiating  directly  with the  contra  party  or  by  a
transaction in the secondary market if any such market exists. Although the Fund
will  enter into OTC  options only with  contra parties that  are expected to be
capable of  entering  into closing  transactions  with  the Fund,  there  is  no
assurance that the Fund will in fact be able to close out an OTC option position
at  a favorable  price prior to  expiration. In  the event of  insolvency of the
contra party, the Fund might  be unable to close out  an OTC option position  at
any time prior to its expiration.
 
INDEX OPTIONS
Puts and calls on indices are similar to puts and calls on securities or futures
contracts  except that all settlements  are in cash and  gain or loss depends on
changes in the index in question (and thus on price movements in the  securities
market  or a particular market sector  generally) rather than on price movements
in individual securities or futures contracts. When the Fund writes a call on an
index, it receives a premium and agrees that, prior to the expiration date,  the
purchaser  of the call, upon exercise of the call, will receive from the Fund an
amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the call is based is
greater than the exercise price of the call. The amount of cash is equal to  the
difference  between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the
call times a specified multiple  (the "multiplier"), which determines the  total
dollar  value for each point of such difference. When the Fund buys a call on an
index, it  pays a  premium  and has  the same  rights  as to  such call  as  are
indicated above. When the Fund buys a put on an index, it pays a premium and has
the  right, prior to the expiration date, to require the seller of the put, upon
the   Fund's   exercise   of   the   put,   to   deliver   to   the   Fund    an
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 10
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
amount  of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the put is based is
less than the exercise price of the  put, which amount of cash is determined  by
the  multiplier, as described above for calls. When  the Fund writes a put on an
index, it receives  a premium  and the  purchaser has  the right,  prior to  the
expiration date, to require the Fund to deliver to it an amount of cash equal to
the  difference between the  closing level of  the index and  the exercise price
times the multiplier, if the closing level is less than the exercise price.
 
The risks  of  investment  in index  options  may  be greater  than  options  on
securities.  Because index options are  settled in cash, when  the Fund writes a
call on  an index  it cannot  provide in  advance for  its potential  settlement
obligations  by acquiring  and holding the  underlying securities.  The Fund can
offset some of the  risk of writing  a call index option  position by holding  a
diversified  portfolio of  securities similar to  those on  which the underlying
index is based.  However, the Fund  cannot, as a  practical matter, acquire  and
hold  a portfolio containing  exactly the same securities  as underlie the index
and, as a result, bears a risk that  the value of the securities held will  vary
from the value of the index.
 
Even  if the Fund could assemble  a securities portfolio that exactly reproduced
the composition of  the underlying index,  it still would  not be fully  covered
from  a risk standpoint because  of the "timing risk"  inherent in writing index
options. When an index option is exercised,  the amount of cash that the  holder
is  entitled to  receive is  determined by  the difference  between the exercise
price and the closing index level on  the date when the option is exercised.  As
with  other kinds of options, the Fund as  the call writer will not know that it
has been assigned  until the next  business day  at the earliest.  The time  lag
between  exercise and  notice of assignment  poses no  risk for the  writer of a
covered call on a  specific underlying security, such  as common stock,  because
there  the writer's obligation is to deliver the underlying security, not to pay
its value as of a fixed time in the past. So long as the writer already owns the
underlying security,  it  can  satisfy  its  settlement  obligations  by  simply
delivering  it, and the risk that its value may have declined since the exercise
date is borne by the  exercising holder. In contrast, even  if the writer of  an
index call holds securities that exactly match the composition of the underlying
index,  it will not be able to  satisfy its assignment obligations by delivering
those securities against  payment of  the exercise  price. Instead,  it will  be
required  to pay  cash in  an amount  based on  the closing  index value  on the
exercise date; and by the  time it learns that it  has been assigned, the  index
may  have declined, with a corresponding decline  in the value of its securities
portfolio. This "timing risk" is an inherent limitation on the ability of  index
call writers to cover their risk exposure by holding securities positions.
 
If  the Fund has purchased  an index option and  exercises it before the closing
index value for that day  is available, it runs the  risk that the level of  the
underlying  index may subsequently change. If such a change causes the exercised
option to fall out-of-the-money, the Fund will be required to pay the difference
between the closing index value and the exercise price of the option (times  the
applicable multiplier) to the assigned writer.
 
INTEREST RATE, CURRENCY AND STOCK INDEX FUTURES CONTRACTS
The Fund may enter into interest rate, currency or stock index futures contracts
(collectively,  "Futures" or "Futures Contracts") as  a hedge against changes in
prevailing levels  of interest  rates, currency  exchange rates  or stock  price
levels, respectively, in order to establish more definitely the effective return
on  securities or currencies held  or intended to be  acquired by it. The Fund's
hedging may include sales of Futures as an offset against the effect of expected
increases in interest rates  and decreases in currency  exchange rates or  stock
prices,  and purchases of  Futures as an  offset against the  effect of expected
declines in interest rates,  and increases in currency  exchange rates or  stock
prices.
 
The  Fund only  will enter  into Futures  Contracts that  are traded  on futures
exchanges and  are standardized  as to  maturity date  and underlying  financial
instrument.  Futures  exchanges and  trading thereon  in  the United  States are
regulated under  the Commodity  Exchange Act  by the  Commodity Futures  Trading
Commission ("CFTC"). Futures are exchanged in London at the London International
Financial Futures Exchange.
 
Although techniques other than sales and purchases of Futures Contracts could be
used  to reduce the Fund's exposure to interest rate, currency exchange rate and
stock market  fluctuations, the  Fund may  be able  to hedge  its exposure  more
effectively and at a lower cost through using Futures Contracts.
 
A  Futures Contract provides  for the future  sale by one  party and purchase by
another party of a specified amount of a specific financial instrument (security
or currency) for a specified price at a designated date, time and place. A stock
index Futures Contract provides for the delivery, at a designated date, time and
place, of  an amount  of  cash equal  to a  specified  dollar amount  times  the
difference between the stock index value at the close of trading on the contract
and  the price at which  the Futures Contract is  originally struck; no physical
delivery of stocks  comprising the index  is made. Brokerage  fees are  incurred
when  a  Futures  Contract  is  bought or  sold,  and  margin  deposits  must be
maintained at all times the Futures Contract is outstanding.
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 11
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                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
Although Futures Contracts typically require future delivery of and payment  for
financial  instruments or currencies,  Futures Contracts usually  are closed out
before the delivery date. Closing out an open Futures Contract sale or  purchase
is  effected by entering  into an offsetting Futures  Contract purchase or sale,
respectively,  for  the  same  aggregate  amount  of  the  identical   financial
instrument  or currency and  the same delivery date.  If the offsetting purchase
price is less than the original sale price,  the Fund realizes a gain; if it  is
more, the Fund realizes a loss. Conversely, if the offsetting sale price is more
than  the original purchase price, the Fund realizes  a gain; if it is less, the
Fund realizes  a loss.  The transaction  costs also  must be  included in  these
calculations.  There can be no assurance, however, that the Fund will be able to
enter into  an  offsetting transaction  with  respect to  a  particular  Futures
Contract  at  a particular  time.  If the  Fund  is not  able  to enter  into an
offsetting transaction, the Fund  will continue to be  required to maintain  the
margin deposits on the Futures Contract.
 
As  an example of an offsetting transaction, the contractual obligations arising
from the sale of one Futures Contract of September Deutschemarks on an  exchange
may  be fulfilled  at any  time before  delivery under  the Futures  Contract is
required (I.E., on a specified date  in September, the "delivery month") by  the
purchase  of another  Futures Contract  of September  Deutschemarks on  the same
exchange. In such instance the difference between the price at which the Futures
Contract was  sold  and  the  price paid  for  the  offsetting  purchase,  after
allowance for transaction costs, represents the profit or loss to the Fund.
 
The  Fund's Futures transactions will be entered into for hedging purposes; that
is, Futures Contracts will be sold to protect against a decline in the price  of
securities  or  currencies that  the  Fund owns,  or  Futures Contracts  will be
purchased to protect the Fund against an increase in the price of securities  or
currencies it has committed to purchase or expects to purchase.
 
"Margin"  with respect to Futures Contracts is  the amount of funds that must be
deposited by the Fund in order to  initiate Futures trading and to maintain  the
Fund's  open  positions in  Futures Contracts.  A margin  deposit made  when the
Futures Contract is entered  into ("initial margin") is  intended to assure  the
Fund's  performance  under  the  Futures Contract.  The  margin  required  for a
particular Futures Contract is set by the exchange on which the Futures Contract
is traded, and may be modified significantly  from time to time by the  exchange
during the term of the Futures Contract.
 
Subsequent  payments,  called  "variation  margin,"  to  and  from  the  futures
commission merchant through  which the  Fund entered into  the Futures  Contract
will  be made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying security, currency
or index fluctuates making the Futures Contract more or less valuable, a process
known as marking-to-market.
 
    RISKS OF  USING  FUTURES CONTRACTS.  The  prices of  Futures  Contracts  are
volatile  and  are influenced,  among other  things,  by actual  and anticipated
changes in  interest rates  and currency  exchange rates,  and in  stock  market
movements,  which  in turn  are  affected by  fiscal  and monetary  policies and
national and international political and economic events.
 
There is a risk  of imperfect correlation between  changes in prices of  Futures
Contracts  and prices  of the securities  or currencies in  the Fund's portfolio
being  hedged.  The   degree  of  imperfection   of  correlation  depends   upon
circumstances  such as: variations in speculative  market demand for futures and
for securities or currencies, including technical influences in Futures trading;
and  differences  between  the  financial  instruments  being  hedged  and   the
instruments  underlying the standard Futures  Contracts available for trading. A
decision of whether,  when, and how  to hedge involves  skill and judgment,  and
even  a  well-conceived hedge  may  be unsuccessful  to  some degree  because of
unexpected market behavior or interest or currency rate trends.
 
Because of  the  low  margin  deposits required,  Futures  trading  involves  an
extremely  high  degree  of leverage.  As  a  result, a  relatively  small price
movement in a Futures Contract may result in immediate and substantial loss,  as
well  as gain, to the investor. For example,  if at the time of purchase, 10% of
the value  of the  Futures Contract  is deposited  as margin,  a subsequent  10%
decrease  in the value of  the Futures Contract would result  in a total loss of
the margin  deposit, before  any deduction  for the  transaction costs,  if  the
account  were then closed  out. A 15% decrease  would result in  a loss equal to
150% of the original  margin deposit, if the  Futures Contract were closed  out.
Thus, a purchase or sale of a Futures Contract may result in losses in excess of
the amount invested in the Futures Contract.
 
Most U.S. Futures exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in Futures
Contract and options on Futures Contract prices during a single trading day. The
daily  limit establishes the maximum amount that the price of a Futures Contract
or option may vary either up or down from the previous day's settlement price at
the end  of a  trading session.  Once  the daily  limit has  been reached  in  a
particular type of Futures Contract or option, no trades may be made on that day
at a price beyond that limit. The daily limit governs only price movement during
a  particular trading day and therefore does not limit potential losses, because
the limit may prevent the liquidation of unfavorable positions. Futures Contract
and option  prices  occasionally have  moved  to  the daily  limit  for  several
consecutive  trading days with  little or no  trading, thereby preventing prompt
liquidation of positions and subjecting some traders to substantial losses.
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 12
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                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
If the Fund were unable to liquidate a Futures or option on Futures position due
to the absence of a liquid secondary  market or the imposition of price  limits,
it  could incur  substantial losses.  The Fund would  continue to  be subject to
market risk with respect  to the position.  In addition, except  in the case  of
purchased  options,  the  Fund  would  continue to  be  required  to  make daily
variation margin payments and might be  required to maintain the position  being
hedged by the Future or option or to maintain cash or securities in a segregated
account.
 
Certain  characteristics  of the  Futures market  might  increase the  risk that
movements in the  prices of Futures  Contracts or options  on Futures might  not
correlate  perfectly  with  movements in  the  prices of  the  investments being
hedged. For example,  all participants  in the  Futures and  options on  Futures
markets  are subject to daily  variation margin calls and  might be compelled to
liquidate Futures  or  options on  Futures  positions whose  prices  are  moving
unfavorably  to avoid being  subject to further  calls. These liquidations could
increase price  volatility  of the  instruments  and distort  the  normal  price
relationship  between the Futures  or options and  the investments being hedged.
Also, because initial margin deposit requirements in the Futures market are less
onerous than  margin requirements  in  the securities  markets, there  might  be
increased   participation   by  speculators   in   the  Futures   markets.  This
participation  also  might  cause  temporary  price  distortions.  In  addition,
activities of large traders in both the Futures and securities markets involving
arbitrage,  "program trading"  and other  investment strategies  might result in
temporary price distortions.
 
OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS
Options on Futures Contracts are similar to options on securities or  currencies
except that options on Futures Contracts give the purchaser the right, in return
for  the  premium paid,  to  assume a  position in  a  Futures Contract  (a long
position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put) at
a specified exercise price  at any time  during the period  of the option.  Upon
exercise  of the option, the  delivery of the Futures  position by the writer of
the option to the holder  of the option will be  accompanied by delivery of  the
accumulated balance in the writer's Futures margin account, which represents the
amount  by which the market price of  the Futures Contract, at exercise, exceeds
(in the case of  a call) or  is less than (in  the case of  a put) the  exercise
price  of the option on  the Futures Contract. If an  option is exercised on the
last trading day prior to the expiration date of the option, the settlement will
be made entirely in cash equal to  the difference between the exercise price  of
the  option and the  closing level of  the securities, currencies  or index upon
which the  Futures Contract  is  based on  the  expiration date.  Purchasers  of
options  who fail to exercise their options  prior to the exercise date suffer a
loss of the premium paid.
 
The purchase of  call options  on Futures  can serve as  a long  hedge, and  the
purchase  of put  options on Futures  can serve  as a short  hedge. Writing call
options on Futures can serve as a  limited short hedge, and writing put  options
on  Futures can serve as a limited long  hedge, using a strategy similar to that
used for writing options on securities, foreign currencies or indices.
 
If the Fund  writes an  option on  a Futures Contract,  it will  be required  to
deposit  initial and variation margin pursuant  to requirements similar to those
applicable to Futures Contracts. Premiums received from the writing of an option
on a Futures Contract are included in the initial margin deposit.
 
The Fund may seek to close out an option position by selling an option  covering
the  same Futures  Contract and  having the  same exercise  price and expiration
date. The  ability to  establish and  close  out positions  on such  options  is
subject to the maintenance of a liquid secondary market.
 
LIMITATIONS  ON  USE  OF FUTURES,  OPTIONS  ON  FUTURES AND  CERTAIN  OPTIONS ON
CURRENCIES
To the extent that  the Fund enters into  Futures Contracts, options on  Futures
Contracts,  and  options  on  foreign  currencies  traded  on  a  CFTC-regulated
exchange, in each case other than for BONA FIDE hedging purposes (as defined  by
the CFTC), the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish those
positions  (excluding the amount  by which options  are "in-the-money") will not
exceed 5% of the  liquidation value of the  Fund's portfolio, after taking  into
account  unrealized profits and unrealized losses  on any contracts the Fund has
entered  into.  In   general,  a   call  option   on  a   Futures  Contract   is
"in-the-money"if  the  value  of  the underlying  Futures  Contract  exceeds the
strike, i.e., exercise, price of the call; a put option on a Futures Contract is
"in-the-money" if the value  of the underlying Futures  Contract is exceeded  by
the  strike price of  the put. This  guideline may be  modified by the Company's
Board of Directors without  a shareholder vote. This  limitation does not  limit
the percentage of the Fund's assets at risk to 5%.
 
FORWARD CURRENCY CONTRACTS
A  Forward Contract is an obligation, usually arranged with a commercial bank or
other currency dealer, to purchase or  sell a currency against another  currency
at  a future date and price  as agreed upon by the  parties. The Fund either may
accept or make delivery of the currency at the maturity of the Forward Contract.
The Fund may also, if its contra  party agrees, prior to maturity, enter into  a
closing transaction involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting contract.
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 13
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                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
The  Fund engages  in forward  currency transactions  in anticipation  of, or to
protect itself against, fluctuations  in exchange rates. The  Fund might sell  a
particular   foreign  currency  forward,  for   example,  when  it  holds  bonds
denominated in a  foreign currency but  anticipates, and seeks  to be  protected
against,  a decline in the currency against the U.S. dollar. Similarly, the Fund
might sell  the U.S.  dollar forward  when it  holds bonds  denominated in  U.S.
dollars  but anticipates, and  seeks to be  protected against, a  decline in the
U.S. dollar relative  to other currencies.  Further, the Fund  might purchase  a
currency  forward  to "lock  in"  the price  of  securities denominated  in that
currency that it anticipates purchasing.
 
Forward Contracts are traded in the interbank market conducted directly  between
currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. A Forward
Contract  generally has no deposit requirement and no commissions are charged at
any stage for trades. The Fund will enter into such Forward Contracts with major
U.S. or foreign banks and securities or currency dealers in accordance with  the
guidelines approved by the Company's Board of Directors.
 
The  Fund  may enter  into  Forward Contracts  either  with respect  to specific
transactions or  with respect  to the  Fund's portfolio  positions. The  precise
matching  of the Forward  Contract amounts and the  value of specific securities
generally will not be  possible because the future  value of such securities  in
foreign currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in the value
of  those securities between the  date the Forward Contract  is entered into and
the date it matures. Accordingly, it may  be necessary for the Fund to  purchase
additional  foreign  currency on  the  spot (I.E.,  cash)  market (and  bear the
expense of such purchase) if the market  value of the security is less than  the
amount of foreign currency the Fund is obligated to deliver and if a decision is
made to sell the security and make delivery of the foreign currency. Conversely,
it  may be necessary to sell on the spot market some of the foreign currency the
Fund is  obligated to  deliver.  The projection  of short-term  currency  market
movements  is extremely difficult, and the  successful execution of a short-term
hedging strategy is highly  uncertain. Forward Contracts  involve the risk  that
anticipated  currency movements  will not  be predicted  accurately, causing the
Fund to sustain losses on these contracts and transaction costs.
 
At or before the  maturity of a  Forward Contract requiring the  Fund to sell  a
currency,  the  Fund either  may  sell a  portfolio  security and  use  the sale
proceeds to make delivery of the currency or retain the security and offset  its
contractual  obligation to deliver the currency  by purchasing a second contract
pursuant to which  the Fund will  obtain, on  the same maturity  date, the  same
amount  of the currency that it is obligated to deliver. Similarly, the Fund may
close out a Forward Contract requiring  it to purchase a specified currency  by,
if its contra party agrees entering, into a second contract entitling it to sell
the same amount of the same currency on the maturity date of the first contract.
The  Fund would  realize a gain  or loss  as a result  of entering  into such an
offsetting Forward Contract under either circumstance to the extent the exchange
rate or rates between the currencies involved moved between the execution  dates
of the first contract and the offsetting contract.
 
The  cost to the Fund of engaging  in Forward Contracts varies with factors such
as the currencies  involved, the length  of the contract  period and the  market
conditions  then prevailing. Because Forward  Contracts usually are entered into
on a principal basis, no  fees or commissions are  involved. The use of  Forward
Contracts  does  not  eliminate fluctuations  in  the prices  of  the underlying
securities the Fund owns or intends to acquire, but it does establish a rate  of
exchange in advance. In addition, while Forward Contract sales limit the risk of
loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currencies, they also limit any
potential gain that might result should the value of the currencies increase.
 
FOREIGN CURRENCY STRATEGIES -- SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
The  Fund may use options on  foreign currencies, Futures on foreign currencies,
options on Futures on foreign currencies and Forward Contracts to hedge  against
movements in the values of the foreign currencies in which the Fund's securities
are  denominated. Such currency hedges can  protect against price movements in a
security that  the Fund  owns or  intends to  acquire that  are attributable  to
changes  in the value of the currency in which it is denominated. Such hedges do
not, however,  protect  against  price  movements in  the  securities  that  are
attributable to other causes.
 
The  Fund  might seek  to hedge  against changes  in the  value of  a particular
currency when no  Futures Contract,  Forward Contract or  option involving  that
currency  is available or one  of such contracts is  more expensive than certain
other contracts. In such  cases, the Fund may  hedge against price movements  in
that  currency by  entering into  a contract  on another  currency or  basket of
currencies, the  values of  which  the Manager  believes  will have  a  positive
correlation  to the value of the currency  being hedged. The risk that movements
in the price of the contract will not correlate perfectly with movements in  the
price of the currency being hedged is magnified when this strategy is used.
 
The value of Futures Contracts, options on Futures Contracts, Forward Contracts,
and  options  on  foreign currencies  depends  on  the value  of  the underlying
currency relative  to the  U.S. dollar.  Because foreign  currency  transactions
occurring  in the  interbank market  might involve  substantially larger amounts
than those involved in the use of Futures
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 14
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
Contracts, Forward  Contracts or  options, the  Fund could  be disadvantaged  by
dealing in the odd lot market (generally consisting of transactions of less than
$1  million)  for the  underlying  foreign currencies  at  prices that  are less
favorable than for round lots.
 
There is no systematic reporting of last sale information for foreign currencies
or any  regulatory requirements  that quotations  available through  dealers  or
other market sources be firm or revised on a timely basis. Quotation information
generally  is representative of very large  transactions in the interbank market
and thus  might not  reflect  odd-lot transactions  where  rates might  be  less
favorable.   The   interbank  market   in  foreign   currencies  is   a  global,
round-the-clock market. To the  extent the U.S. options  or Futures markets  are
closed  while the markets for the underlying currencies remain open, significant
price and rate movements might take place in the underlying markets that  cannot
be  reflected in  the markets  for the Futures  contracts or  options until they
reopen.
 
Settlement of Futures Contracts, Forward Contracts and options involving foreign
currencies might  be required  to  take place  within  the country  issuing  the
underlying currency. Thus, the Fund might be required to accept or make delivery
of  the  underlying foreign  currency  in accordance  with  any U.S.  or foreign
regulations regarding the  maintenance of foreign  banking arrangements by  U.S.
residents  and might be required  to pay any fees,  taxes and charges associated
with such delivery assessed in the issuing country.
 
COVER
Transactions using Forward Contracts, Futures Contracts and options (other  than
options that the Fund has purchased) expose the Fund to an obligation to another
party.  The Fund will not enter into any such transactions unless it owns either
(1) an  offsetting  ("covered") position  in  securities, currencies,  or  other
options,  Forward Contracts or  Futures Contracts, or  (2) cash, receivables and
short-term debt securities  with a value  sufficient at all  times to cover  its
potential obligations not covered as provided in (1) above. The Fund will comply
with SEC guidelines regarding cover for these instruments and, if the guidelines
so require, set aside cash or liquid securities.
 
Assets  used as cover or  held in a segregated account  cannot be sold while the
position in the corresponding  Forward Contract, Futures  Contract or option  is
open, unless they are replaced with other appropriate assets. If a large portion
of  the Fund's assets are used for cover or otherwise set aside, it could affect
portfolio management or the Fund's ability to meet redemption requests or  other
current obligations.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
ILLIQUID SECURITIES
   
The  Fund  may  invest up  to  15% of  its  net assets  in  illiquid securities.
Securities may  be considered  illiquid  if the  Fund cannot  reasonably  expect
within seven days to sell the security for approximately the amount at which the
Fund  values such securities.  The sale of  illiquid securities, if  they can be
sold at all,  generally will require  more time and  result in higher  brokerage
charges  or dealer discounts and other selling  expenses than the sale of liquid
securities, such as securities eligible for trading on U.S. securities exchanges
or in the over-the-counter markets. Moreover, restricted securities which may be
illiquid for purposes  of this limitation,  often sell,  if at all,  at a  price
lower than similar securities that are not subject to restrictions on resale.
    
 
Illiquid  securities include those that are subject to restrictions contained in
the securities  laws of  other countries.  However, securities  that are  freely
marketable  in the country where  they are principally traded,  but would not be
freely marketable in the United States,  will not be considered illiquid.  Where
registration  is required, the Fund  may be obligated to pay  all or part of the
registration expenses and a considerable period  may elapse between the time  of
the  decision to sell and the time the  Fund may be permitted to sell a security
under an effective  registration statement.  If, during such  a period,  adverse
market  conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price
than prevailed when it decided to sell.
 
Not  all  restricted  securities   are  illiquid.  In   recent  years  a   large
institutional   market  has  developed  for  certain  securities  that  are  not
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("1933 Act"),  including
private  placements, repurchase agreements, commercial paper, foreign securities
and  corporate  bonds  and  notes.   These  instruments  are  often   restricted
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 15
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
securities  because  the  securities  are  sold  in  transactions  not requiring
registration. Institutional  investors generally  will not  seek to  sell  these
instruments  to the general public,  but instead will often  depend either on an
efficient institutional  market in  which such  unregistered securities  can  be
readily  resold  or on  an issuer's  ability  to honor  a demand  for repayment.
Therefore, the fact that there are  contractual or legal restrictions on  resale
to  the  general  public  or  certain institutions  is  not  dispositive  of the
liquidity of such investments.
 
Rule 144A under the 1933 Act  establishes a "safe harbor" from the  registration
requirements  of the  1933 Act  for resales  of certain  securities to qualified
institutional buyers.  Institutional  markets  for  restricted  securities  have
developed  as a result of Rule 144A, providing both readily ascertainable values
for restricted securities and the ability to liquidate an investment to  satisfy
share redemption orders. Such markets include automated systems for the trading,
clearance  and  settlement of  unregistered securities  of domestic  and foreign
issuers, such as  the PORTAL  System sponsored  by the  National Association  of
Securities  Dealers,  Inc.  An insufficient  number  of  qualified institutional
buyers interested in purchasing Rule 144A-eligible restricted securities held by
the Fund, however, could  affect adversely the  marketability of such  portfolio
securities  and the Fund might be unable  to dispose of such securities promptly
or at favorable prices.
 
With respect  to  liquidity determinations  generally,  the Company's  Board  of
Directors  has  the  ultimate responsibility  for  determining  whether specific
securities, including restricted securities pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933
Act, are liquid  or illiquid.  The Board has  delegated the  function of  making
day-to-day  determinations  of  liquidity  to  the  Manager  in  accordance with
procedures approved by  the Board. The  Manager takes into  account a number  of
factors  in reaching liquidity decisions, including (i) the frequency of trading
in the security, (ii) the  number of dealers who  make quotes for the  security,
(iii)  the  number  of dealers  who  have undertaken  to  make a  market  in the
security, (iv) the number  of other potential purchasers  and (v) the nature  of
the  security and  how trading is  effected (e.g.,  the time needed  to sell the
security, how offers are solicited and  the mechanics of transfer). The  Manager
monitors  the liquidity of  securities in the  Fund's portfolio and periodically
reports on such decisions to the Board.
 
FOREIGN SECURITIES
    POLITICAL, SOCIAL AND  ECONOMIC RISKS. Investing  in securities of  non-U.S.
companies may entail additional risks due to the potential political, social and
economic  instability  of  certain  countries and  the  risks  of expropriation,
nationalization, confiscation  or  the  imposition of  restrictions  on  foreign
investment,  convertibility of currencies into  U.S. dollars and on repatriation
of capital  invested. In  the event  of such  expropriation, nationalization  or
other  confiscation by any country, the Fund could lose its entire investment in
any such country.
 
In addition,  even though  opportunities for  investment may  exist in  emerging
markets,  any change in the  leadership or policies of  the governments of those
countries or  in  the leadership  or  policies  of any  other  government  which
exercises  a significant influence over those  countries, may halt the expansion
of or reverse the  liberalization of foreign  investment policies now  occurring
and thereby eliminate any investment opportunities which may currently exist.
 
Investors should note that upon the accession to power of authoritarian regimes,
the  governments of a number of Latin American countries previously expropriated
large quantities of  real and personal  property similar to  the property  which
will  be represented  by the  securities purchased  by the  Fund. The  claims of
property owners against those governments were never finally settled. There  can
be  no assurance  that any property  represented by securities  purchased by the
Fund will not also be  expropriated, nationalized, or otherwise confiscated.  If
such  confiscation were to occur,  the Fund could lose  its entire investment in
such countries. The Fund's investments would similarly be adversely affected  by
exchange control regulation in any of those countries.
 
   
    RELIGIOUS  AND ETHNIC  STABILITY. Certain  countries in  which the  Fund may
invest  may  have  groups  that  advocate  radical  religious  or  revolutionary
philosophies or support ethnic independence. Any disturbance on the part of such
individuals could carry the potential for widespread destruction or confiscation
of  property owned by individuals and entities foreign to such country and could
cause the loss of the Fund's investment in those countries. Instability may also
result from,  among  other things,  (i)  authoritarian governments  or  military
involvement  in  political and  economic  decision-making, including  changes in
government through extra-constitutional  means, (ii)  popular unrest  associated
with  demands for improved  political, economic and  social conditions and (iii)
hostile relations with  neighboring or other  countries. Such political,  social
and  economic instability could disrupt the principal financial markets in which
the Fund invests and adversely affect the value of the Fund's assets.
    
 
   
    FOREIGN  INVESTMENT  RESTRICTIONS.  Certain  countries  prohibit  or  impose
substantial  restrictions on investments in  their capital markets, particularly
their equity markets, by foreign entities  such as the Fund. These  restrictions
or  controls may at times limit or preclude investment in certain securities and
may increase the cost and expenses  of the Fund. For example, certain  countries
require prior governmental approval before investments by foreign persons may be
made or may limit
    
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 16
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
the  amount of investment by  foreign persons in a  particular company, or limit
the investment by foreign persons  to only a specific  class of securities of  a
company  that may  have less advantageous  terms than securities  of the company
available for purchase by nationals. Moreover, the national policies of  certain
countries  may restrict investment opportunities in issuers or industries deemed
sensitive  to   national  interests.   In  addition,   some  countries   require
governmental  approval for the repatriation of investment income, capital or the
proceeds of securities sales by foreign  investors. If there is a  deterioration
in  a country's balance of  payments or for other  reasons, a country may impose
restrictions on foreign capital remittances abroad. The Fund could be  adversely
affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required governmental approval
for  repatriation, as well as by the  application to it of other restrictions on
investments.
 
    NON-UNIFORM CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STANDARDS AND GOVERNMENTAL
REGULATION. Foreign companies are subject to accounting, auditing and  financial
standards  and requirements that  differ in some  cases significantly from those
applicable to U.S. companies. In particular, the assets, liabilities and profits
appearing on the  financial statements  of such a  company may  not reflect  its
financial  position or results of operations in  the way they would be reflected
had such financial statements  been prepared in  accordance with U.S.  generally
accepted accounting principles. Most of the securities held by the Fund will not
be  registered with the SEC  or regulators of any  foreign country, nor will the
issuers thereof be subject to the SEC's reporting requirements. Thus, there will
be less available information concerning most foreign issuers of securities held
by the Fund than  is available concerning U.S.  issuers. In instances where  the
financial  statements  of an  issuer are  not deemed  to reflect  accurately the
financial situation of the  issuer, the Manager will  take appropriate steps  to
evaluate  the proposed investment,  which may include  on-site inspection of the
issuer, interviews  with  its  management and  consultations  with  accountants,
bankers  and other specialists.  There is substantially  less publicly available
information about foreign companies than there are reports and ratings published
about U.S.  companies  and  the  U.S.  government.  In  addition,  where  public
information  is  available,  it  may  be  less  reliable  than  such information
regarding U.S.  issuers.  Issuers of  securities  on foreign  jurisdictions  are
generally  not subject to the same degree of regulation as are U.S. issuers with
respect to such matters as restrictions on market manipulation, insider  trading
rules, shareholder proxy requirements and timely disclosure of information.
 
    CURRENCY  FLUCTUATIONS. Because  the Fund, under  normal circumstances, will
invest a substantial portion  of its total assets  in the securities of  foreign
issuers which are denominated in foreign currencies, the strength or weakness of
the  U.S. dollar against  such foreign currencies  will account for  part of the
Fund's investment performance. A decline in the value of any particular currency
against the U.S. dollar  will cause a  decline in the U.S.  dollar value of  the
Fund's  holdings  of  securities  and cash  denominated  in  such  currency and,
therefore, will cause an overall decline in  the Fund's net asset value and  any
net  investment  income and  capital gains  derived from  such securities  to be
distributed in U.S. dollars to shareholders of the Fund. Moreover, if the  value
of  the foreign currencies in which the  Fund receives its income falls relative
to the  U.S.  dollar between  receipt  of the  income  and the  making  of  Fund
distributions, the Fund may be required to liquidate securities in order to make
distributions  if  the  Fund  has  insufficient cash  in  U.S.  dollars  to meet
distribution requirements.
 
The rate of exchange between the U.S. dollar and other currencies is  determined
by  several factors including  the supply and  demand for particular currencies,
central bank efforts to support particular currencies, the movement of  interest
rates,  the pace of business activity in  certain other countries and the United
States, and other economic and financial conditions affecting the world economy.
 
Although the Fund values its assets daily in terms of U.S. dollars, it does  not
intend  to convert  its holdings  of foreign currencies  into U.S.  dollars on a
daily basis. The  Fund will do  so from time  to time, and  investors should  be
aware  of the costs of currency conversion. Although foreign exchange dealers do
not charge  a  fee  for conversion,  they  do  realize a  profit  based  on  the
difference  ("spread") between the  prices at which they  are buying and selling
various currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer  to sell a foreign currency to  the
Fund  at one  rate, while  offering a  lesser rate  of exchange  should the Fund
desire to sell that currency to the dealer.
 
    ADVERSE MARKET CHARACTERISTICS.  Securities of many  foreign issuers may  be
less  liquid and their  prices more volatile than  securities of comparable U.S.
issuers. In  addition,  foreign securities  markets  and brokers  generally  are
subject  to  less governmental  supervision and  regulation  than in  the United
States  and  foreign  securities  transactions  usually  are  subject  to  fixed
commissions,  which  generally are  higher than  negotiated commissions  on U.S.
transactions. In addition,  foreign securities  transactions may  be subject  to
difficulties  associated  with the  settlement of  such transactions.  Delays in
settlement could  result  in temporary  periods  when  assets of  the  Fund  are
uninvested  and no return is  earned thereon. The inability  of the Fund to make
intended security purchases due to settlement  problems could cause the Fund  to
miss  attractive opportunities. Inability to dispose of a portfolio security due
to settlement  problems  either  could result  in  losses  to the  Fund  due  to
subsequent  declines in  value of  the portfolio  security or,  if the  Fund has
entered into a contract to sell
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 17
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
the security, could result in possible  liability to the purchaser. The  Manager
will  consider such difficulties  when determining the  allocation of the Fund's
assets, although the Manager does not believe that such difficulties will have a
material adverse effect on the Fund's portfolio trading activities.
 
The Fund may  use foreign  custodians, which may  involve risks  in addition  to
those  related to the  use of U.S. custodians.  Such risks include uncertainties
relating to (i)  determining and monitoring  the financial strength,  reputation
and  standing of the foreign  custodian, (ii) maintaining appropriate safeguards
to protect the Fund's investments  and (iii) possible difficulties in  obtaining
and enforcing judgments against such custodians.
 
   
    WITHHOLDING  TAXES.  The Fund's  net  investment income  from  securities of
foreign issuers may  be subject  to withholding  taxes by  the foreign  issuer's
country,  thereby reducing that  income or delaying the  receipt of income where
those taxes may be recaptured. See "Taxes."
    
 
    CONCENTRATION. To the extent the Fund  invests a significant portion of  its
assets in securities of issuers located in a particular country or region of the
world,  it may be subject to greater risks and may experience greater volatility
than a fund that is more broadly diversified geographically.
 
   
    SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS  AFFECTING  EMERGING  MARKETS.  Investing  in  equity
securities  of  companies  in emerging  markets  may entail  greater  risks than
investing in equity securities in  developed countries. These risks include  (i)
less  social, political and  economic stability; (ii) the  small current size of
the markets for such securities and  the currently low or nonexistent volume  of
trading,  which result in a  lack of liquidity and  in greater price volatility;
(iii) certain  national  policies  which  may  restrict  the  Fund's  investment
opportunities,  including restrictions  on investment  in issuers  or industries
deemed sensitive  to national  interests;  (iv) foreign  taxation; and  (v)  the
absence  of  developed structures  governing  private or  foreign  investment or
allowing for judicial redress for injury to private property.
    
 
   
Investing in the securities of companies in emerging markets may entail  special
risks  relating to potential political and economic instability and the risks of
expropriation, nationalization, confiscation or  the imposition of  restrictions
on  foreign investment, convertibility into U.S.  dollars and on repatriation of
capital invested. In the event  of such expropriation, nationalization or  other
confiscation  by any country, the  Fund could lose its  entire investment in any
such country.
    
 
   
Emerging securities  markets are  substantially  smaller, less  developed,  less
liquid  and more volatile than the major securities markets. The limited size of
emerging securities markets and limited trading value in issuers compared to the
volume of  trading in  U.S. securities  could  cause prices  to be  erratic  for
reasons  apart  from factors  that  affect the  quality  of the  securities. For
example, limited market size may cause prices to be unduly influenced by traders
who control  large  positions.  Adverse publicity  and  investors'  perceptions,
whether  or  not  based on  fundamental  analysis,  may decrease  the  value and
liquidity of portfolio  securities, especially  in these  markets. In  addition,
securities traded in certain emerging markets may be subject to risks due to the
inexperience  of financial intermediaries, a lack of modern technology, the lack
of a sufficient capital base to expand business operations, and the  possibility
of permanent or temporary termination of trading.
    
 
   
Settlement  mechanisms in emerging securities markets  may be less efficient and
reliable than in more developed markets.  In such emerging securities there  may
be share registration and delivery delays or failures.
    
 
   
Many emerging market countries have experienced substantial, and in some periods
extremely  high,  rates  of  inflation  for  many  years.  Inflation  and  rapid
fluctuations in inflation rates and corresponding currency devaluations have had
and may  continue to  have  negative effects  on  the economies  and  securities
markets of certain emerging market countries.
    
 
    SPECIAL  CONSIDERATIONS AFFECTING WESTERN  EUROPEAN COUNTRIES. The countries
that are members of the European Economic Community ("Common Market")  (Belgium,
Denmark,  France,  Germany,  Greece,  Ireland,  Italy,  Luxembourg, Netherlands,
Portugal, Spain, and the United  Kingdom) eliminated certain import tariffs  and
quotas  and  other trade  barriers with  respect  to one  another over  the past
several years. The Manager  believes that this  deregulation should improve  the
prospects  for economic growth  in many Western  European countries. Among other
things, the  deregulation could  enable companies  domiciled in  one country  to
avail  themselves of lower labor costs existing in other countries. In addition,
this deregulation could benefit  companies domiciled in  one country by  opening
additional  markets  for their  goods and  services  in other  countries. Since,
however, it is not clear  what the exact form or  effect of these Common  Market
reforms  will be on business in Western  Europe, it is impossible to predict the
long-term impact of the implementation of these programs on the securities owned
by the Fund.
 
   
    SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS  AFFECTING  RUSSIA AND  EASTERN  EUROPEAN  COUNTRIES.
Investing  in Russia  and Eastern European  countries involves a  high degree of
risk and special considerations not  typically associated with investing in  the
U.S.  securities markets and should be considered highly speculative. Such risks
include the following: (1) delays in settling
    
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 18
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
portfolio transactions  and risk  of loss  arising out  of the  system of  share
registration  and  custody; (2)  the  risk that  it  may be  impossible  or more
difficult than in  other countries  to obtain  and/or enforce  a judgement;  (3)
pervasiveness  of  corruption and  crime in  the  economic system;  (4) currency
exchange rate volatility and the lack of available currency hedging instruments;
(5) higher rates of  inflation (including the risk  of social unrest  associated
with  periods of hyper-inflation) and high unemployment; (6) controls on foreign
investment and local practices disfavoring foreign investors and limitations  on
repatriation  of  invested capital,  profits and  dividends,  and on  the Fund's
ability to exchange local currencies for U.S. dollars; (7) political instability
and social unrest and violence; (8) the risk that the governments of Russia  and
Eastern  European countries may  decide not to continue  to support the economic
reform programs  implemented  recently  and  could  follow  radically  different
political  and/or  economic policies  to the  detriment of  investors, including
non-market-oriented policies such as  the support of  certain industries at  the
expense  of other  sectors or  investors, or a  return to  the centrally planned
economy that existed when such countries had a communist form of government; (9)
the financial condition of companies in these countries, including large amounts
of inter-company debt which  may create a payments  crisis on a national  scale;
(10)  dependency on  exports and  the corresponding  importance of international
trade; (11) the risk that the tax system in these countries will not be reformed
to prevent inconsistent,  retroactive and/or exorbitant  taxation; and (12)  the
underdeveloped nature of the securities markets.
 
    SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS AFFECTING JAPAN. Japan's economic growth has declined
significantly  since 1990. The general government position has deteriorated as a
result of weakening economic  growth and stimulative  measures taken to  support
economic  activity and to  restore financial stability.  Although the decline in
interest  rates  and  fiscal  stimulation   packages  have  helped  to   contain
recessionary  forces, uncertainties remain. Japan is also heavily dependent upon
international trade, so its  economy is especially  sensitive to trade  barriers
and  disputes.  Japan has  had difficult  relations  with its  trading partners,
particularly the United States, where the trade imbalance is the greatest. It is
possible that  trade sanctions  and other  protectionist measures  could  impact
Japan adversely in both the short and the long term.
 
The  common  stocks  of many  Japanese  companies trade  at  high price-earnings
ratios. Differences  in accounting  methods  make it  difficult to  compare  the
earnings  of  Japanese companies  with those  of  companies in  other countries,
especially in the  United States. In  general, however, reported  net income  in
Japan  is  understated relative  to U.S.  accounting standards  and this  is one
reason why price-earnings ratios of the stocks of Japanese companies have tended
historically to be  higher than  those for  U.S. stocks.  In addition,  Japanese
companies  have  tended to  have  higher growth  rates  than U.S.  companies and
Japanese interest rates  have generally been  lower than in  the United  States,
both  of  which  factors tend  to  result  in lower  discount  rates  and higher
price-earnings ratios in Japan than in the United States.
 
The Japanese securities  markets are  less regulated  than those  in the  United
States. Evidence has emerged from time to time of distortion of market prices to
serve  political or other purposes. Shareholders'  rights are not always equally
enforced. In addition, Japan's banking  industry is undergoing problems  related
to bad loans and declining values in real estate.
 
    SPECIAL  CONSIDERATIONS AFFECTING  PACIFIC REGION COUNTRIES.  Certain of the
risks associated with international  investments are heightened for  investments
in  Pacific region  countries. For  example, some  of the  currencies of Pacific
region countries  have  experienced steady  devaluations  relative to  the  U.S.
dollar,  and major  adjustments have been  made periodically in  certain of such
currencies. Certain countries, such as India, face serious exchange constraints.
 
   
Many of the Asia Pacific region countries may be subject to a greater degree  of
social,  political  and economic  instability  than is  the  case in  the United
States. Such instability may result from, among other things, the following: (i)
authoritarian governments  or military  involvement  in political  and  economic
decision  making, and changes in  government through extra-constitutional means;
(ii) popular unrest associated with demands for improved political, economic and
social conditions;  (iii) internal  insurgencies;  (iv) hostile  relations  with
neighboring  countries; and (v) ethnic,  religious and racial disaffection. Such
social, political  and  economic  instability could  significantly  disrupt  the
principal  financial markets in which the  Fund invests and adversely affect the
value of  the  Fund's  assets.  In  addition,  asset  expropriations  or  future
confiscatory levels of taxation possibly may affect the Fund.
    
 
   
Several  of the  Asia Pacific region  countries have,  or in the  past have had,
hostile relationships  with neighboring  nations  or have  experienced  internal
insurgency.  Thailand has experienced  border conflicts with  Laos and Cambodia,
and India is engaged in border disputes with several of its neighbors, including
China and Pakistan. An uneasy truce exists between North Korea and South  Korea,
and the recurrence of hostilities remains possible. Reunification of North Korea
and  South Korea could have a detrimental  effect on the economy of South Korea.
Also, China  continues  to  claim  sovereignty  over  Taiwan  and  recently  has
conducted military maneuvers near Taiwan.
    
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 19
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
The economies of most of the Asia Pacific region countries are heavily dependent
upon  international  trade  and  are accordingly  affected  by  protective trade
barriers and the economic conditions of their trading partners, principally  the
United  States, Japan,  China and the  European Community. The  enactment by the
United States  or  other  principal  trading  partners  of  protectionist  trade
legislation,  reduction of foreign investment in the local economies and general
declines in  the  international  securities markets  could  have  a  significant
adverse effect upon the securities markets of the Asia Pacific region countries.
In  addition,  the  economies of  some  of  the Asia  Pacific  region countries,
Australia and Indonesia, for example, are vulnerable to weakness in world prices
for their commodity exports, including crude oil.
 
   
China recently assumed sovereignty over Hong  Kong in July 1997. Although  China
has  committed by treaty to preserve the economic and social freedoms enjoyed in
Hong Kong for fifty years, the continuation of the current form of the  economic
system  in Hong Kong will  depend on the actions of  the government of China. In
addition, such assumption of sovereignty has increased sensitivity in Hong  Kong
to  political developments and  statements by public  figures in China. Business
confidence in  Hong  Kong, therefore,  can  be significantly  affected  by  such
developments  and  statements, which  in turn  can  affect markets  and business
performance.
    
 
   
In addition, the Chinese  sovereignty over Hong Kong  also presents a risk  that
the  Hong Kong dollar will  be devalued and a risk  of possible loss of investor
confidence in the Hong Kong markets and dollar. However, factors exist that  are
likely to mitigate this risk. First, China has stated its intention to implement
a  "one country, two systems" policy,  which would preserve monetary sovereignty
and leave control in the hands of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority ("HKMA").
    
 
   
Second, fixed  rate  parity  with  the  U.S.  dollar  is  seen  as  critical  to
maintaining  investors'  confidence  in  the transition  to  Chinese  rule, and,
therefore, it is anticipated that, if international investors lose confidence in
Hong Kong  dollar assets,  the HKMA  would intervene  to support  the  currency,
though  such  intervention cannot  be assured.  Third,  Hong Kong's  and China's
sizable combined foreign exchange  reserve may be used  to support the value  of
the Hong Kong dollar, provided that China does not appropriate such reserves for
other uses, which is not anticipated but cannot be assured. Finally, China would
be  likely to experience significant adverse political and economic consequences
if confidence  in the  Hong Kong  dollar and  the territory  assets were  to  be
endangered.
    
 
   
    SPECIAL  CONSIDERATIONS  AFFECTING  LATIN  AMERICAN  COUNTRIES.  Most  Latin
American countries have experienced substantial,  and in some periods  extremely
high,  rates of  inflation for many  years. Inflation and  rapid fluctuations in
inflation rates have had and may continue  to have very negative effects on  the
economies  and securities markets  of certain Latin  American countries. Certain
Latin American countries are also among the largest debtors to commercial  banks
and foreign governments. At times certain Latin American countries have declared
moratoria  on  the payment  of principal  and/or interest  on external  debt. In
addition, certain  Latin  American  securities  markets  have  experienced  high
volatility in recent years.
    
 
   
Latin  American countries may  also close certain sectors  of their economies to
equity investments  by foreigners.  Further  due to  the absence  of  securities
markets  and  publicly  owned corporations  and  due to  restrictions  on direct
investment by foreign entities,  investments may only be  made in certain  Latin
American   countries  solely   or  primarily   through  governmentally  approved
investment vehicles or companies.
    
 
   
Certain Latin American countries may have managed currencies that are maintained
at artificial levels to the U.S. dollar rather than at levels determined by  the
market.  This type  of system can  lead to  sudden and large  adjustments in the
currency which, in turn,  can have a disruptive  and negative effect on  foreign
investors.  For example, in late  1994, the value of  the Mexican peso lost more
than one-third of its value relative to the U.S. dollar.
    
 
    SOVEREIGN DEBT. Sovereign Debt generally offers high yields, reflecting  not
only  perceived  credit risk,  but also  the  need to  compete with  other local
investments in domestic financial markets. Certain Latin American countries  are
among  the  largest  debtors  to commercial  banks  and  foreign  governments. A
sovereign debtor's willingness or ability to repay principal and interest due in
a timely  manner  may  be  affected  by, among  other  factors,  its  cash  flow
situation,  the extent of  its foreign reserves,  the availability of sufficient
foreign exchange on the  date a payment  is due, the relative  size of the  debt
service  burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor's policy towards
the International  Monetary  Fund  and  the political  constraints  to  which  a
sovereign  debtor  may  be  subject.  Sovereign  debtors  may  default  on their
Sovereign  Debt.  Sovereign   debtors  may   also  be   dependent  on   expected
disbursements  from foreign governments, multilateral agencies and others abroad
to reduce principal and interest arrearages on their debt. The commitment on the
part of these governments, agencies and others to make such disbursements may be
conditioned on a  sovereign debtor's implementation  of economic reforms  and/or
economic  performance  and  the  timely service  of  such  debtor's obligations.
Failure to implement such reforms,  achieve such levels of economic  performance
or repay principal or interest when due, may result
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 20
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
in  the cancellation  of such  third parties' commitments  to lend  funds to the
sovereign debtor, which may further impair such debtor's ability or  willingness
to timely service its debts.
 
In  recent years, some of the Latin American countries in which the Fund expects
to invest have encountered difficulties in servicing their Sovereign Debt.  Some
of  these  countries  have withheld  payments  of interest  and/or  principal of
Sovereign Debt. These difficulties  have also led  to agreements to  restructure
external  debt obligations -- in particular, commercial bank loans, typically by
rescheduling principal  payments,  reducing  interest rates  and  extending  new
credits to finance interest payments on existing debt. In the future, holders of
Sovereign  Debt may be requested to participate in similar reschedulings of such
debt.
 
The ability  of Latin  American governments  to make  timely payments  on  their
Sovereign  Debt is likely  to be influenced  strongly by a  country's balance of
trade and its access to trade  and other international credits. A country  whose
exports  are concentrated in a few commodities  could be vulnerable to a decline
in the  international prices  of  one or  more  of such  commodities.  Increased
protectionism  on the part of a  country's trading partners could also adversely
affect its exports.
 
    NON-UNIFORM CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STANDARDS AND GOVERNMENTAL
REGULATION. Foreign companies are subject to accounting, auditing and  financial
standards  and requirements that differ, in some cases significantly, from those
applicable to U.S. companies. In particular, the assets, liabilities and profits
appearing on the  financial statements  of such a  company may  not reflect  its
financial  position or results of operations in  the way they would be reflected
had such financial statements  been prepared in  accordance with U.S.  generally
accepted accounting principles. Most of the securities held by the Fund will not
be  registered with the SEC  or regulators of any  foreign country, nor will the
issuers thereof be subject to the SEC's reporting requirements. Thus, there will
be less available information concerning most foreign issuers of securities held
by the Fund than  is available concerning U.S.  issuers. In instances where  the
financial  statements  of an  issuer are  not deemed  to reflect  accurately the
financial situation of the  issuer, the Manager will  take appropriate steps  to
evaluate  the proposed investment,  which may include  on-site inspection of the
issuer, interviews  with  its  management and  consultations  with  accountants,
bankers  and other specialists.  There is substantially  less publicly available
information about foreign companies than there are reports and ratings published
about U.S.  companies  and  the  U.S.  government.  In  addition,  where  public
information  is  available,  it  may  be  less  reliable  than  such information
regarding U.S. issuers. In addition, for companies that keep accounting  records
in  local currency, inflation accounting rules  in some Latin American countries
require,  for  both  tax  and  accounting  purposes,  that  certain  assets  and
liabilities be restated on the company's balance sheet in order to express items
in  terms of  currency of  constant purchasing  power. Inflation  accounting may
indirectly generate  losses or  profits. There  is substantially  less  publicly
available   information  about  foreign   companies,  including  Latin  American
companies, and  the  governments of  Latin  American countries  than  there  are
reports  and ratings  published about  U.S. companies  and the  U.S. government.
Issuers of securities in foreign jurisdictions are generally not subject to  the
same  degree of regulation as  are U.S. issuers with  respect to such matters as
restrictions on market  manipulation, insider trading  rules, shareholder  proxy
requirements and timely disclosure of information.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                             INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The  Fund's investment objectives may  not be changed without  the approval of a
majority of its outstanding voting securities. As defined in the 1940 Act and as
used in  this Statement  of Additional  Information a  "majority of  the  Fund's
outstanding  voting  securities"  means the  lesser  of  (i) 67%  of  the shares
represented at a meeting at  which more than 50%  of the outstanding shares  are
represented  and (ii) more than 50% of  the outstanding shares. In addition, the
Fund has adopted the following  fundamental investment limitations that may  not
be changed without approval of a majority of its outstanding voting securities.
 
The Fund may not:
 
        (1)  issue senior  securities or  borrow money  in amounts  in excess of
    those permitted under the 1940 Act;
 
        (2) make an investment in any one industry if the investment would cause
    the aggregate value of all investments in such industry to equal 25% or more
    of the Fund's total assets; provided that this limitation does not apply  to
    investments  in securities issued or guaranteed  by the U.S. government, its
    agencies or instrumentalities;
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 21
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
        (3)  purchase  securities  on  margin,  except  for  short-term  credits
    necessary  for clearance of portfolio transactions  and except that the Fund
    may make margin  deposits in  connection with  its use  of options,  futures
    contracts,  options  on futures  contracts,  forward currency  contracts and
    other financial instruments;
 
        (4) engage in the business of underwriting securities of other  issuers,
    except  to the extent that, in  connection with the disposition of portfolio
    securities, the Fund may be  deemed an underwriter under federal  securities
    laws and except that the Fund may write options;
 
        (5)  make short sales of securities or maintain a short position, except
    that the Fund  may maintain short  positions in connection  with its use  of
    options,  futures  contracts,  options  on  futures  contracts  and  forward
    currency contracts and may sell short "against the box;"
 
        (6)  purchase  or  sell  real  estate  (including  real  estate  limited
    partnership  interest),  provided that  the  Fund may  invest  in securities
    secured by, or issued by companies  that invest in real estate or  interests
    therein;
 
        (7) purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, except that the
    Fund  may  sell  commodities received  upon  the exercise  of  warrants, may
    purchase or  sell  financial  and currency  futures  contracts  and  options
    thereon, may purchase and sell forward contracts, may engage in transactions
    in   foreign  currencies  and  may  purchase  or  sell  options  on  foreign
    currencies; or
 
        (8) make  loans,  except  through loans  or  portfolio  instruments  and
    repurchase  agreements, provided that  for purposes of  this restriction the
    acquisition of  bonds, debentures  or other  debt instruments  or  interests
    therein  and  investment  in government  obligations,  short-term commercial
    paper, certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances shall not be  deemed
    to be the making of a loan.
 
For purposes of the concentration policy of the Fund contained in limitation (2)
above,  the Fund intends to  comply with the SEC  staff position that securities
issued or guaranteed  as to  principal and interest  by any  one single  foreign
government,  or  by  all  supranational  organizations  in  the  aggregate,  are
considered to be securities of issuers in the same industry.
 
   
In addition, to  comply with  federal tax  requirements for  qualification as  a
"regulated  investment company" ("RIC"), the  Fund's investments will be limited
so that, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, (a) not more than 25%
of the value of its total assets  is invested in the securities (other than  U.S
government securities or the securities of other RICs) of any one issuer and (b)
at  least 50% of the value  of its total assets is  represented by cash and cash
items,  U.S.  government  securities,  securities   of  other  RICs  and   other
securities,  with these other securities limited,  in respect of any one issuer,
to an amount that does not exceed 5%  of the value of its total assets and  that
does  not represent more than 10%  of the issuer's outstanding voting securities
("Diversification Requirements"). These tax-related  limitations may be  changed
by  the Company's  Board of  Directors to  the extent  necessary to  comply with
changes to applicable tax requirements.
    
 
The Fund's other  investment policies  and limitations described  herein may  be
changed  by  the  Company's  Board of  Directors  without  shareholder approval,
provided that any such  policies and limitations as  so amended do not  conflict
with the Fund's fundamental investment limitations.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                             EXECUTION OF PORTFOLIO
                                  TRANSACTIONS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Subject to policies established by the Company's Board of Directors, the Manager
is  responsible for the  execution of the Fund's  portfolio transactions and the
selection of broker/dealers who execute such transactions on behalf of the Fund.
In executing portfolio transactions, the Manager seeks the best net results  for
the  Fund,  taking  into  account  such  factors  as  the  price  (including the
applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of the order, difficulty
of execution  and operational  facilities  of the  firm involved.  Although  the
Manager  generally seeks  reasonably competitive  commission rates  and spreads,
payment of the lowest  commission or spread is  not necessarily consistent  with
the  best net results. While the Fund may engage in soft dollar arrangements for
research services, as described below, the  Fund has no obligation to deal  with
any  broker/dealer  or group  of broker/dealers  in  the execution  of portfolio
transactions.
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 22
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
Debt securities generally are traded  on a "net" basis  with a dealer acting  as
principal for its own account without a stated commission, although the price of
the  security  usually  includes  a  profit  to  the  dealer.  U.S.  and foreign
government securities and money market  instruments generally are traded in  the
OTC  markets. In underwritten  offerings, securities usually  are purchased at a
fixed price which  includes an  amount of  compensation to  the underwriter.  On
occasion,  securities may be purchased directly from an issuer, in which case no
commissions or discounts  are paid.  Broker/dealers may  receive commissions  on
futures, currency and options transactions.
 
Consistent  with the interests  of the Fund,  the Manager may  select brokers to
execute the Fund's  portfolio transactions,  on the  basis of  the research  and
brokerage  services they provide to the Manager for its use in managing the Fund
and its other advisory accounts. Such services may include furnishing  analyses,
reports  and information concerning  issuers, industries, securities, geographic
regions, economic factors  and trends,  portfolio strategy,  and performance  of
accounts;   and  effecting  securities  transactions  and  performing  functions
incidental thereto (such  as clearance and  settlement). Research and  brokerage
services  received from such brokers are in addition to, and not in lieu of, the
services required to be performed by  the Manager under the Management  Contract
(defined below). A commission paid to such brokers may be higher than that which
another  qualified broker would have charged for effecting the same transaction,
provided that  the Manager  determines in  good faith  that such  commission  is
reasonable  in  terms  either  of that  particular  transaction  or  the overall
responsibility of the Manager  to the Fund  and its other  clients and that  the
total  commissions  paid by  the  Fund will  be  reasonable in  relation  to the
benefits received by the Fund over the long term. Research services may also  be
received from dealers who execute Fund transactions in OTC markets.
 
The  Manager  may allocate  brokerage  transactions to  broker/dealers  who have
entered into arrangements under which  the broker/dealer allocates a portion  of
the  commissions paid by the Fund toward payment of the Fund's expenses, such as
transfer agent and custodian fees.
 
Investment decisions for the Fund and  for other investment accounts managed  by
the  Manager  are  made  independently  of  each  other  in  light  of differing
conditions. However, the same investment  decision occasionally may be made  for
two  or more of  such accounts including  the Fund. In  such cases, simultaneous
transactions may occur.  Purchases or sales  are then allocated  as to price  or
amount  in a manner deemed fair and equitable to all accounts involved. While in
some cases this practice could have a detrimental effect upon the price or value
of the security as  far as the  Fund is concerned, in  other cases, the  Manager
believes that coordination and the ability to participate in volume transactions
will be beneficial to the Fund.
 
Under  a policy adopted by the Company's  Board of Directors, and subject to the
policy  of  obtaining  the  best  net  results,  the  Manager  may  consider   a
broker/dealer's sale of the shares of the Fund and the other funds for which the
Manager  serves as investment  manager in selecting brokers  and dealers for the
execution of portfolio transactions. This policy does not imply a commitment  to
execute  portfolio transactions through  all broker/dealers that  sell shares of
the Fund and such other funds.
 
The  Fund   contemplates   purchasing   most  foreign   equity   securities   in
over-the-counter  markets or stock  exchanges located in  the countries in which
the respective principal offices  of the issuers of  the various securities  are
located,  if that is  the best available  market. The fixed  commissions paid in
connection with most such foreign  stock transactions generally are higher  than
negotiated  commissions on U.S. transactions. There generally is less government
supervision and regulation of  foreign stock exchanges and  brokers than in  the
United  States. Foreign security settlements may in some instances be subject to
delays and related administrative uncertainties.
 
Foreign equity securities may  be held by  the Fund in the  form of ADRs,  ADSs,
EDRs, CDRs or securities convertible into foreign equity securities. ADRs, ADSs,
EDRs  and CDRs may be listed on stock exchanges, or traded in the OTC markets in
the United States or  Europe, as the  case may be.  ADRs, like other  securities
traded in the United States, will be subject to negotiated commission rates. The
foreign  and domestic debt securities and  money market instruments in which the
Fund may invest generally are traded in the OTC markets.
 
The Fund contemplates that, consistent with the policy of obtaining the best net
results, brokerage transactions may be conducted through certain companies  that
are  members of the Liechtenstein Global Trust. The Company's Board of Directors
has adopted  procedures in  conformity with  Rule 17e-1  under the  1940 Act  to
ensure that all brokerage commissions paid to such affiliates are reasonable and
fair  in  the  context of  the  market in  which  they are  operating.  Any such
transactions will be effected and  related compensation paid only in  accordance
with applicable SEC regulations.
 
   
For  the fiscal years  ended December 31,  1996, 1995 and  1994, the Predecessor
Fund  paid  aggregate  brokerage  commissions  of  $1,580,879,  $1,311,090,  and
$2,832,000, respectively.
    
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 23
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
PORTFOLIO TRADING AND TURNOVER
   
The  Fund engages in portfolio  trading when the Manager  has concluded that the
sale of a security owned by the Fund and/ or the purchase of another security of
better value can  enhance principal and/or  increase income. A  security may  be
sold  to avoid  any prospective decline  in market  value, or a  security may be
purchased  in  anticipation  of  a  market  rise.  Consistent  with  the  Fund's
investment  objective, a  security also  may be  sold and  a comparable security
purchased coincidentally in order to take advantage of what is believed to be  a
disparity in the normal yield and price relationship between the two securities.
Although the Fund does not intend generally to trade for short-term profits, the
securities  in the Fund's portfolio will be sold whenever management believes it
is appropriate to  do so,  without regard  to the  length of  time a  particular
security  may have been held. Portfolio  turnover rate is calculated by dividing
the lesser of sales or purchases  of portfolio securities by the Fund's  average
month-end  portfolio  values,  excluding short-term  investments.  The portfolio
turnover rate will  not be a  limiting factor when  the Manager deems  portfolio
changes  appropriate. Higher portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater
brokerage commissions  and  other transaction  costs  that the  Fund  will  bear
directly and may result in the realization of net capital gains that are taxable
when distributed to the Fund's shareholders. For the fiscal years ended December
31, 1996 and 1995, the Predecessor Fund's portfolio turnover rates were 138% and
75%, respectively.
    
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 24
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                            DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE
                                    OFFICERS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The Company's Directors and Executive Officers are listed below.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME, POSITION(S) WITH THE               PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS AND BUSINESS
COMPANY AND ADDRESS                      EXPERIENCE FOR PAST 5 YEARS
- ---------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>
William J. Guilfoyle*, 39                President, GT Global since 1995; Director, GT Global since 1991; Senior Vice President and
Trustee, Chairman of the Board and       Director of Sales and Marketing, GT Global from May 1992 to April 1995; Vice President and
President                                Director of Marketing, GT Global from 1987 to 1992; Director, Liechtenstein Global Trust
50 California Street                     AG (holding company of the various international LGT companies) Advisory Board since
San Francisco, CA 94111                  January 1996; Director, G.T. Global Insurance Agency ("G.T. Insurance") since 1996;
                                         President and Chief Executive Officer, G.T. Insurance since 1995; Senior Vice President
                                         and Director, Sales and Marketing, G.T. Insurance from April 1995 to November 1995; Senior
                                         Vice President, Retail Marketing, G.T. Insurance from 1992 to 1993. Mr. Guilfoyle is also
                                         a director or trustee of each of the other investment companies registered under the 1940
                                         Act that is managed or administered by the Manager.
 
C. Derek Anderson, 56                    President, Plantagenet Capital Management, LLC (an investment partnership); Chief
Trustee                                  Executive Officer, Plantagenet Holdings, Ltd. (an investment banking firm); Director,
220 Sansome Street                       Anderson Capital Management, Inc., since 1988; Chief Executive Officer, Anderson Capital
Suite 400                                Management, Inc., from 1991 to July 1997; Director, PremiumWear, Inc. (formerly
San Francisco, CA 94104                  Munsingwear, Inc.) (a casual apparel company), and Director, "R" Homes, Inc. and various
                                         other companies. Mr. Anderson is also a director or trustee of each of the other
                                         investment companies registered under the 1940 Act that is managed or administered by the
                                         Manager.
 
Frank S. Bayley, 58                      Partner with Baker & McKenzie (a law firm); Director and Chairman, C.D. Stimson Company (a
Trustee                                  private investment company). Mr. Bayley also is a director or trustee of each of the other
Two Embarcadero Center                   investment companies registered under the 1940 Act that is managed or administered by the
Suite 2400                               Manager.
San Francisco, CA 94111
 
Arthur C. Patterson, 54                  Managing Partner, Accel Partners (a venture capital firm). He also serves as a director of
Trustee                                  various computing and software companies. Mr. Patterson also is a director or trustee of
One Embarcadero Center                   each of the other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act that is managed or
Suite 3820                               administered by the Manager.
San Francisco, CA 94111
 
Ruth H. Quigley, 62                      Private investor, and President, Quigley Friedlander & Co., Inc. (a financial advisory
Trustee                                  services firm) from 1984 to 1986. Miss Quigley also is a director or trustee of each of
1055 California Street                   the other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act that is managed or
San Francisco, CA 94108                  administered by the Manager.
 
Robert G. Wade, Jr.,* 70                 Consultant to the Manager; Chairman of the Board of Chancellor Capital Management, Inc.
Trustee                                  from January 1995 to October 1996; President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the
1166 Avenue of the Americas              Board of Chancellor Capital Management, Inc. from 1988 to January 1995. Mr. Wade also is a
New York, NY 10036                       director or trustee of each of the other investment companies registered under the 1940
                                         Act that is managed or administered by the Manager.
</TABLE>
    
 
- --------------
   
*   Mr. Guilfoyle and Mr. Wade are  "interested persons" of the Trust as defined
by the 1940 Act due to their affiliation with the LGT companies.
    
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 25
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                               <C>
Helge K. Lee, 51                  Executive Vice President, Asset Management Division, Liechtenstein
Vice President and Secretary      Global Trust since October 1996; Senior Vice President, General Counsel
1166 Avenue of the Americas       and Secretary, LGT Asset Management, the Manager, GT Global, GT Services
New York, NY 10036                and G.T. Insurance from February 1996 to October 1996; Vice President,
                                  General Counsel and Secretary, LGT Asset Management, Inc., Chancellor
                                  LGT Asset Management, Inc., GT Global, GT Services and G.T. Insurance
                                  from May 1994 to February 1996; Senior Vice President, General Counsel
                                  and Secretary, Strong/Corneliuson Management, Inc.; and Secretary, each
                                  of the Strong Funds from October 1991 to May 1994.
 
Kenneth W. Chancey, 52            Vice President -- Mutual Fund Accounting, the Manager since 1992; and
Vice President and                Vice President, Putnam Fiduciary Trust Company from 1989 to 1992.
Principal Accounting Officer
50 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94111
</TABLE>
    
 
                         ------------------------------
 
   
The Board of Directors has a  Nominating and Audit Committee, comprised of  Miss
Quigley  and Messrs.  Anderson, Bayley and  Patterson, which  is responsible for
nominating persons to serve  as Directors, reviewing audits  of the Company  and
its  funds  and recommending  firms  to serve  as  independent auditors  for the
Company. Each of the Directors  and officers of the  Company is also a  Director
and  officer of  G.T. Investment  Portfolios, Inc.  and GT  Global Floating Rate
Fund, Inc., a Trustee and officer of G.T. Global Growth Series and a Trustee  of
G.T.  Global Eastern  Europe Fund, G.T.  Global Variable  Investment Trust, G.T.
Global Variable  Investment  Series, Global  High  Income Portfolio  and  Global
Investment  Portfolio, which are also registered investment companies managed by
the Manager. Each Director and officer serves in total as a Director or  Trustee
and  Officer, respectively, of 11 registered investment companies with 41 series
managed or administered by the Manager.  The Company pays each Director, who  is
not  a director, officer or  employee of the Manager  or any affiliated company,
$5,000 per annum, plus $300 per Fund for each meeting of the Board attended, and
reimburses travel and other expenses  incurred in connection with attendance  at
such  meetings. Other Directors and Officers  receive no compensation or expense
reimbursement from the Company. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996,  Mr.
Anderson,  Mr. Bayley,  Mr. Patterson and  Miss Quigley, who  are not directors,
officers or employees of the Manager  or any affiliated company, received  total
compensation  of $30,200, $30,200,  $26,600 and $30,200,  respectively, from the
Company for which  he or she  serves as a  Director. For the  fiscal year  ended
October  31,  1996, Mr.  Anderson, Mr.  Bayley, Mr.  Patterson and  Miss Quigley
received  total  compensation   of  $80,100,  $80,100,   $72,600  and   $80,100,
respectively,  from  the investment  companies  managed or  administered  by the
Manager for which he or she serves  as a Director or Trustee. Fees and  expenses
disbursed to the Directors contained no accrued or payable pension or retirement
benefits.  As of October 1, 1997, the  Officers and Directors and their families
as a group owned in the aggregate beneficially or of record less than 1% of  the
outstanding shares of the Fund or of all the Company's funds in the aggregate.
    
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 26
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION SERVICES
The  Manager serves as the Fund's  investment manager and administrator under an
Investment  Management  and  Administration  Contract  ("Management   Contract")
between  the Company and  the Manager. As  investment manager and administrator,
the Manager makes  all investment  decisions for  the Fund  and administers  the
Fund's  affairs. Among other things, the Manager furnishes the services and pays
the compensation  and travel  expenses  of persons  who perform  the  executive,
administrative,  clerical and bookkeeping functions of the Company and the Fund,
and provides  suitable  office  space,  necessary  small  office  equipment  and
utilities.  For these services, the Fund  pays the Manager investment management
and administration fees, based on the Fund's average daily net assets,  computed
daily  and  paid monthly,  at the  annualized rate  of .975%  on the  first $500
million, .95% on the next $500 million, .925% on the next $500 million, and .90%
on amounts thereafter.
 
The Management Contract  may be renewed  for one-year terms,  provided that  any
such  renewal  has  been specifically  approved  at  least annually  by  (i) the
Company's Board  of Directors,  or  by the  vote of  a  majority of  the  Fund's
outstanding  voting securities (as defined in the  1940 Act) and (ii) a majority
of Directors  who are  not parties  to the  Management Contract  or  "interested
persons"  of any such  party (as defined in  the 1940 Act), cast  in person at a
meeting called  for  the  specific  purpose of  voting  on  such  approval.  The
Management  Contract provides that with respect to  the Fund, the Company or the
Manager may  terminate the  Contract without  penalty upon  sixty days'  written
notice.  The Management  Contract terminates automatically  in the  event of its
assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
 
   
The  following  table  discloses  the   amount  of  investment  management   and
administration  fees  paid by  the Predecessor  Fund to  the Manager  during the
Predecessor Fund's last three fiscal years:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                                                                                       AMOUNT PAID
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------------
<S>                                                                                                          <C>
1996.......................................................................................................   $ 7,864,840
1995.......................................................................................................   $ 6,878,640
1994.......................................................................................................   $ 7,377,360
</TABLE>
    
 
DISTRIBUTION SERVICES
   
The Fund's  Class A  and Class  B shares  are offered  continuously through  the
Fund's  principal underwriter  and distributor, GT  Global, on  a "best efforts"
basis pursuant to a Distribution Contract between the Company and GT Global.
    
 
   
As described in the Prospectus, the Company has adopted a separate  Distribution
Plan  with respect to each class of the Fund in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under
the 1940  Act  (the  "Class  A  Plan" and  "Class  B  Plan,"  respectively,  and
collectively,  "Plans"). The rate  of payments by  the Fund under  the Plans, as
described in the Prospectus,  may not be increased  without the approval of  the
majority  of the  outstanding voting  securities of  the Fund.  All expenses for
which GT Global is  reimbursed under the  Class A Plan  will have been  incurred
within  one year of such reimbursement. The  Fund makes no payments to any party
other than GT Global,  which is the distributor  (principal underwriter) of  the
Fund's shares.
    
 
In  approving the Plans, the Directors determined that the adoption of each Plan
was in the best interests of the shareholders of the Fund. Agreements related to
the Plans must  also be  approved by  such vote  of the  Directors, including  a
majority  of  Directors who  are  not "interested  persons"  of the  Company (as
defined in the 1940 Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial  interests
in the operation of the Plans, or in any agreement related thereto.
 
Each  Plan requires that,  at least quarterly, the  Directors review the amounts
expended thereunder and the purposes for which such expenditures were made. Each
Plan requires that so long  as it is in effect  the selection and nomination  of
Directors  who are not "interested persons" of  the Company will be committed to
the discretion of the Directors who are not "interested persons" of the Company,
as defined in the 1940 Act.
 
As discussed in  the Prospectus, GT  Global collects sales  charges on sales  of
Class A shares of the Fund, retains certain amounts of such charges and reallows
other amounts of such charges to broker/dealers who sell shares.
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 27
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
GT Global receives any contingent deferred sales charges payable with respect to
redemptions of Class B shares and certain Class A shares.
 
TRANSFER AGENCY AND ACCOUNTING AGENCY SERVICES
The  Transfer  Agent  has  been  retained by  the  Fund  to  perform shareholder
servicing, reporting  and general  transfer agent  functions for  the Fund.  For
these  services, the Transfer Agent receives an annual maintenance fee of $17.50
per account, a new account  fee of $4.00 per account,  a per transaction fee  of
$1.75 for all transactions other than exchanges and a per exchange fee of $2.25.
The Transfer Agent also is reimbursed by the Fund for its out-of-pocket expenses
for  such  items as  postage, forms,  telephone  charges, stationery  and office
supplies. The Manager serves as the Fund's pricing and accounting agent.
 
EXPENSES OF THE FUND
The Fund pays  all expenses  not assumed  by the  Manager, GT  Global and  other
agents.  These  expenses include,  in  addition to  the  advisory, distribution,
transfer agency,  pricing and  accounting agency  and brokerage  fees  discussed
above, legal and audit expenses, custodian fees, directors' fees, organizational
fees,  fidelity bond and other insurance premiums, taxes, extraordinary expenses
and the expenses  of reports and  prospectuses sent to  existing investors.  The
allocation  of general Company  expenses and expenses shared  among the Fund and
other funds organized as series of the  Company are allocated on a basis  deemed
fair and equitable, which may be based on the relative net assets of the Fund or
the  nature of  the services performed  and relative applicability  to the Fund.
Expenditures, including costs incurred in  connection with the purchase or  sale
of  portfolio  securities, which  are capitalized  in accordance  with generally
accepted accounting principles applicable to investment companies, are accounted
for as capital items and  not as expenses. The ratio  of the Fund's expenses  to
its  relative net assets can be expected to be higher than the expense ratios of
funds investing solely in domestic securities, since the cost of maintaining the
custody of foreign securities and the rate of investment management fees paid by
the Fund generally are higher than the comparable expenses of such other funds.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                            VALUATION OF FUND SHARES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
As described in the Prospectus,  the Fund's net asset  value per share for  each
class  of shares is determined  at the close of regular  trading on the New York
Stock Exchange  ("NYSE")  (currently 4:00  p.m.  Eastern time,  unless  weather,
equipment  failure or  other factors contribute  to an earlier  closing time) on
each business day the NYSE is open  for business. Currently, the NYSE is  closed
on  weekends and on certain days relating  to the following holidays: New Year's
Day,  Presidents'  Day,  Good  Friday,  Memorial  Day,  July  4th,  Labor   Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
 
The Fund's portfolio securities and other assets are valued as follows:
 
   
Equity  securities that are  traded on stock  exchanges, are valued  at the last
sale price on the exchange or in the principal over-the-counter market in  which
such  securities  are  traded,  as of  the  close  of business  on  the  day the
securities are being  valued or, lacking  any sales, at  the last available  bid
price.  In cases  where securities  are traded  on more  than one  exchange, the
securities are  valued on  the exchange  determined  by the  Manager to  be  the
primary market.
    
 
Long-term  debt obligations are valued at  the mean of representative quoted bid
and asked prices for such  securities or, if such  prices are not available,  at
prices  for securities of  comparable maturity, quality  and type; however, when
the Manager deems it appropriate, prices obtained for the day of valuation  from
a  bond pricing  service will be  used. Short-term investments  are amortized to
maturity based  on  their  cost,  adjusted  for  foreign  exchange  translation,
provided such valuations represent fair value.
 
Options  on indices, securities and currencies  purchased by the Fund are valued
at their last bid  price in the case  of listed options or,  in the case of  OTC
options,  at the average of  the last bid prices  obtained from dealers unless a
quotation from only one  dealer is available, in  which case only that  dealer's
price  will be used. The value of  each security denominated in a currency other
than U.S. dollars will be translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing  market
rate  as  determined by  the Manager  on  that day.  When market  quotations for
futures and options  on futures held  by the Fund  are readily available,  those
positions will be valued based upon such quotations.
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 28
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
Securities  and  other  assets  for  which  market  quotations  are  not readily
available (including restricted securities which  are subject to limitations  as
to  their sale) are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under
the direction  of the  Company's Board  of Directors.  The valuation  procedures
applied  in any specific instance are likely to vary from case to case. However,
consideration generally is  given to the  financial position of  the issuer  and
other  fundamental analytical data relating to  the investment and to the nature
of the restrictions on disposition of the securities (including any registration
expenses that might be borne by  the Fund in connection with such  disposition).
In addition, specific factors also generally are considered, such as the cost of
the  investment, the  market value  of any  unrestricted securities  of the same
class (both at the time of purchase and  at the time of valuation), the size  of
the  holding, the prices  of any recent  transactions or offers  with respect to
such securities and any available analysts' reports regarding the issuer.
 
The fair value  of any  other assets  is added to  the value  of all  securities
positions  to  arrive  at the  value  of  the Fund's  total  assets.  The Fund's
liabilities, including  accruals  for  expenses, are  deducted  from  its  total
assets.  Once the total  value of the  Fund's net assets  is so determined, that
value is  then divided  by the  total number  of shares  outstanding  (excluding
treasury  shares), and the result, rounded to  the nearer cent, is the net asset
value per share.
 
Any assets or liabilities initially expressed in terms of foreign currencies are
translated into U.S. dollars at the official exchange rate or at the mean of the
current bid and  asked prices of  such currencies against  the U.S. dollar  last
quoted  by a major  bank that is  a regular participant  in the foreign exchange
market or on the basis of a  pricing service that takes into account the  quotes
provided  by a  number of such  major banks.  If none of  these alternatives are
available, or none are deemed to provide a suitable methodology for converting a
foreign currency into U.S. dollars, the Board of Directors, in good faith,  will
establish a conversion rate for such currency.
 
European,  Far Eastern, or Latin American  securities trading may not take place
on all days on which the NYSE is open. Further, trading takes place in  Japanese
markets on certain Saturdays and in various foreign markets on days on which the
NYSE is not open. In addition, trading in securities on European and Far Eastern
securities  exchanges and  OTC markets  generally is  completed well  before the
close of the  business day  in New York.  Consequently, the  calculation of  the
Fund's   net  asset  value  may  not   take  place  contemporaneously  with  the
determination of the prices of securities held by the Fund. Events affecting the
values of portfolio  securities that  occur between  the time  their prices  are
determined and the close of regular trading on the NYSE will not be reflected in
the  Fund's net  asset value  unless the Manager,  under the  supervision of the
Company's Board  of  Directors,  determines  that  the  particular  event  would
materially  affect net asset value. As a  result, the Fund's net asset value may
be significantly affected  by such  trading on  days when  a shareholder  cannot
purchase or redeem shares of the Fund.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                         INFORMATION RELATING TO SALES
                                AND REDEMPTIONS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
PAYMENT AND TERMS OF OFFERING
Payment  for Class A or  Class B shares purchased  should accompany the purchase
order, or  funds should  be wired  to the  Transfer Agent  as described  in  the
Prospectus.  Payment for Fund shares, other than  by wire transfer, must be made
by check or money  order drawn on a  U.S. bank. Checks or  money orders must  be
payable in U.S. dollars.
 
As  a condition of this offering, if an order to purchase either class of shares
is cancelled due to nonpayment (for example, on account of a check returned  for
"not  sufficient funds"), the person who made  the order will be responsible for
any loss  incurred by  the Fund  by reason  of such  cancellation, and  if  such
purchaser  is a shareholder, the  Fund shall have the  authority as agent of the
shareholder to redeem  shares in his  or her account  at their then-current  net
asset  value per share  to reimburse the  Fund for the  loss incurred. Investors
whose purchase orders have  been cancelled due to  nonpayment may be  prohibited
from placing future orders.
 
The  Fund  reserves the  right  at any  time to  waive  or increase  the minimum
requirements applicable to initial or subsequent investments with respect to any
person or class of persons.  An order to purchase shares  is not binding on  the
Fund  until it  has been confirmed  in writing  by the Transfer  Agent (or other
arrangements made with the Fund, in  the case of orders utilizing wire  transfer
of funds, as described above) and payment has been received. To protect existing
shareholders,  the Fund reserves the right to reject any offer for a purchase of
shares by any individual.
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 29
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
SALES OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES
Sales of Fund shares made through brokers  outside the United States will be  at
net  asset value plus a sales commission,  if any, established by that broker or
by local law.  Such a commission,  if any, may  be more or  less than the  sales
charges listed in the sales charge table included in the Prospectus.
 
LETTER OF INTENT -- CLASS A SHARES
A Letter of Intent ("LOI") is not a binding obligation to purchase the indicated
amount.  During such time as Class  A shares are held in  escrow under an LOI to
assure payment of applicable sales charges  if the indicated amount is not  met,
all  dividends  and  capital  gain  distributions  on  escrowed  shares  will be
reinvested in additional Class  A shares or  paid in cash,  as specified by  the
shareholder.  If the intended  investment is not  completed within the specified
13-month period, the purchaser  must remit to GT  Global the difference  between
the  sales  charge actually  paid and  the  sales charge  which would  have been
applicable if the total  Class A purchases  had been made at  a single time.  If
this  amount is  not paid  to GT  Global within  20 business  days after written
request, the appropriate  number of  escrowed shares  will be  redeemed and  the
proceeds paid to GT Global.
 
A  registered investment adviser,  trust company or  trust department seeking to
execute an LOI  as a single  purchaser with  respect to accounts  over which  it
exercises  investment discretion is required to  provide the Transfer Agent with
information establishing that it has discretionary authority with respect to the
money invested (e.g., by providing a  copy of the pertinent investment  advisory
agreement).  Class  A  shares purchased  in  this manner  must  be restrictively
registered with the Transfer  Agent so that only  the investment adviser,  trust
company or trust department, and not the beneficial owner, will be able to place
purchase, redemption and exchange orders.
 
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN -- CLASS A SHARES AND CLASS B SHARES
To  establish participation in the GT  Global Automatic Investment Plan ("AIP"),
investors or their brokers should specify whether investment will be in Class  A
shares or Class B shares and send the following documents to the Transfer Agent:
(1) an AIP Application; (2) a Bank Authorization Form; and (3) a voided personal
check  from the pertinent bank account. The  necessary forms are included at the
back of the  Fund's prospectus. Providing  that an investor's  bank accepts  the
Bank  Authorization Form,  investment amounts  will be  drawn on  the designated
dates (monthly on the  25th day or  beginning quarterly on the  25th day of  the
month  the  investor first  selects) in  order to  purchase full  and fractional
shares of the Fund at the public  offering price determined on that day. In  the
event  that the 25th day falls on a  Saturday, Sunday or holiday, shares will be
purchased on the next business day.  If an investor's check is returned  because
of  insufficient funds, a stop  payment order or the  account is closed, the AIP
may be discontinued, and any share purchase made upon deposit of such check  may
be  cancelled. Furthermore, the shareholder will be liable for any loss incurred
by the Fund by reason of such cancellation. Investors should allow one month for
the establishment of an AIP. An AIP  may be terminated by the Transfer Agent  or
the  Fund  upon 30  days' written  notice or  by the  participant, at  any time,
without penalty, upon written notice to the Fund or the Transfer Agent.
 
   
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS ("IRAs") AND OTHER TAX-DEFERRED PLANS
    
   
Class A or Class B shares may  be purchased as the underlying investment for  an
IRA  meeting the requirements  of sections 408(a),  408A or 530  of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended  ("Code"), as well as for qualified  retirement
plans  described in Code Section 401  and custodial accounts complying with Code
Section 403(b)(7).
    
 
   
IRAs: If you have earned income from employment (including self-employment), you
can contribute each year to an IRA up  to the lesser of (1) $2,000 for  yourself
or  $4,000  for  you and  your  spouse,  regardless of  whether  your  spouse is
employed, or (2) 100% of compensation. Some  individuals may be able to take  an
income tax deduction for the contribution. Regular contributions may not be made
for  the  year you  become 70  1/2  or thereafter.  Effective for  taxable years
beginning after 1997,  unless you and  your spouse's earnings  exceed a  certain
level,  you may also establish an "education  IRA" and/or a "Roth IRA." Although
contributions to these  new types  of IRAs are  nondeductible, withdrawals  from
them  will  be tax-free  under certain  circumstances.  Please consult  your tax
advisor for more information. IRA applications are available from brokers or  GT
Global.
    
 
   
ROLLOVER  IRAs: Individuals who receive  distributions from qualified retirement
plans (other than  required distributions) and  who wish to  keep their  savings
growing  tax-deferred  can  roll  over  (or make  a  direct  transfer  of) their
distribution to a  Rollover IRA. These  accounts can also  receive rollovers  or
transfers  from an existing  IRA. If an "eligible  rollover distribution" from a
qualified employer-sponsored retirement plan is  not directly rolled over to  an
IRA  (or  certain qualified  plans),  withholding at  the  rate of  20%  will be
required for federal income tax purposes.  A distribution from a qualified  plan
that  is not an "eligible rollover  distribution," including a distribution that
is one  of a  series  of substantially  equal  periodic payments,  generally  is
subject to regular wage withholding or withholding at the rate of 10% (depending
    
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 30
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
   
on  the type and  amount of the distribution),  unless you elect  to to have any
withholding apply. Please consult your tax advisor for more information.
    
 
   
SEP-IRAs: Simplified  employee  pension  plans ("SEPs"  or  "SEP-IRAs")  provide
self-employed  individuals (and any eligible employees) with benefits similar to
Keogh plans (i.e.,  self-employed individual retirement  plans) or Code  Section
401(k)  plans but with fewer administrative requirements and therefore potential
lower annual administration expenses.
    
 
   
CODE SECTION 403(b)(7) CUSTODIAL ACCOUNTS: Employees of public schools and  most
other  tax-exempt organizations can make  pre-tax salary reduction contributions
to these accounts.
    
 
   
PROFIT-SHARING  (INCLUDING   SECTION   401(k))  AND   MONEY   PURCHASE   PENSION
PLANS:  Corporations  and other  employers can  sponsor these  qualified defined
contribution plans  for  their employees.  A  section  401(k) plan,  a  type  of
profit-sharing  plan, additionally permits the eligible, participating employees
to make  pre-tax salary  reduction  contributions to  the  plan (up  to  certain
limits).
    
 
   
SIMPLE  RETIREMENT PLANS: Employers with no more  than 100 employees that do not
maintain another retirement plan  may establish a  Savings Incentive Match  Plan
for  Employees ("SIMPLE") either as  separate IRAs or as  part of a Code Section
401(k) plan. SIMPLEs are not subject to the complicated nondiscrimination  rules
that generally apply to qualified retirement plans.
    
 
   
EXCHANGES
    
Shares  of the Fund may be exchanged for shares of other GT Global Mutual Funds,
based on  their respective  net asset  values without  imposition of  any  sales
charges  provided that the registration remains identical. Class A shares may be
exchanged only for  Class A  shares of  other GT  Global Mutual  Funds. Class  B
shares may be exchanged only for Class B shares of other GT Global Mutual Funds.
The  exchange privilege  is not  an option  or right  to purchase  shares but is
permitted under the current policies of  the respective GT Global Mutual  Funds.
The  privilege may be  discontinued or changed at  any time by  any of the funds
upon 60 days prior notice to the shareholders of such fund and is available only
in states  where the  exchange may  be legally  made. Before  purchasing  shares
through  the exercise of the exchange privilege, a shareholder should obtain and
read a copy of the  prospectus of the fund to  be purchased and should  consider
the investment objective(s) of the fund.
 
TELEPHONE REDEMPTIONS
A  corporation or partnership  wishing to utilize  telephone redemption services
must submit a "Corporate Resolution" or "Certificate of Partnership"  indicating
the names, titles and the required number of signatures of persons authorized to
act  on  its  behalf.  The  certificate must  be  signed  by  a  duly authorized
officer(s) and,  in  the case  of  a corporation,  the  corporate seal  must  be
affixed. All shareholders may request that redemption proceeds be transmitted by
bank  wire upon request directly to the shareholder's predesignated account at a
domestic bank or savings institution, if the proceeds are at least $1,000. Costs
in connection with the administration  of this service, including wire  charges,
currently  are borne by the Fund. Proceeds of less than $1,000 will be mailed to
the shareholder's registered address of record. The Fund and the Transfer  Agent
reserve  the right to refuse any  telephone instructions and may discontinue the
aforementioned redemption options upon 30 days' written notice.
 
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN
Shareholders owning  Class A  or Class  B shares  of the  Fund with  a value  of
$10,000 or more may establish a Systematic Withdrawal Plan ("SWP"). Under a SWP,
a shareholder will receive monthly or quarterly payments, in amounts of not less
than  $100 per payment, through the automatic redemption of the necessary number
of shares  on  the  designated dates  (monthly  on  the 25th  day  or  beginning
quarterly on the 25th day of the month the investor first selects). In the event
that  the 25th day falls  on a Saturday, Sunday  or holiday, the redemption will
take place on the prior business day. Certificates, if any, for the shares being
redeemed must be held by the Transfer Agent. Checks will be made payable to  the
designated  recipient and  mailed within seven  days. If the  recipient is other
than the  registered shareholder,  the  signature of  each shareholder  must  be
guaranteed   on  the  SWP  application  (see  "How  to  Redeem  Shares"  in  the
Prospectus). A  corporation (or  partnership) also  must submit  a  "Corporation
Resolution"  or "Certification of Partnership" indicating the names, titles, and
signatures of  the individuals  authorized to  act on  its behalf,  and the  SWP
application  must be  signed by a  duly authorized officer(s)  and the corporate
seal affixed.
 
With respect to a SWP, the maximum  annual SWP withdrawal is 12% of the  initial
account  value.  Withdrawals  in excess  of  12%  of the  initial  account value
annually may result  in assessment of  a contingent deferred  sales charge.  See
"How to Invest" in the Prospectus.
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 31
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
Shareholders should be aware that such systematic withdrawals may deplete or use
up  entirely  the  initial  investment  and  result  in  realized  long-term  or
short-term capital gains or losses. The SWP may be terminated at any time by the
Transfer Agent or the Fund upon 30 days' written notice or by a shareholder upon
written notice  to the  Fund or  its Transfer  Agent. Applications  and  further
details  regarding establishment of a SWP are provided at the back of the Fund's
Prospectus.
 
SUSPENSION OF REDEMPTION PRIVILEGES
The Fund may suspend redemption privileges  or postpone the date of payment  for
more  than seven days after a redemption order is received during any period (1)
when the NYSE is  closed other than customary  weekend and holiday closings,  or
trading  on  the  NYSE is  restricted  as determined  by  the SEC,  (2)  when an
emergency exists, as  defined by  the SEC, which  would prohibit  the Fund  from
disposing  of its portfolio securities or in fairly determining the value of its
assets, or (3) as the SEC may otherwise permit.
 
REDEMPTIONS IN KIND
   
It is possible  that conditions  may arise  in the  future which  would, in  the
opinion of the Company's Board of Directors, make it undesirable for the Fund to
pay  for all redemptions in cash. In such cases, the Board may authorize payment
to be made  in portfolio securities  or other  property of the  Fund, so  called
"redemptions  in kind." Payment of  redemptions in kind will  be made in readily
marketable securities.  Such  securities  would  be valued  at  the  same  value
assigned  to  them in  computing  the net  asset  value per  share. Shareholders
receiving such  securities  would incur  brokerage  costs in  selling  any  such
securities  so received. However,  despite the foregoing,  the Company has filed
with the SEC an election pursuant to  Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act. This  means
that  the  Fund  will  pay in  cash  all  requests for  redemption  made  by any
shareholder of record, limited in amount with respect to each shareholder during
any ninety-day period to the  lesser of $250,000 or 1%  of the value of the  net
assets of the Fund at the beginning of such period. This election is irrevocable
so  long  as  Rule  18f-1  remains  in effect,  unless  the  SEC  by  order upon
application permits the withdrawal of such election.
    
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 32
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                                     TAXES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
GENERAL
   
To continue to  qualify for treatment  as a RIC  under the Code,  the Fund  must
distribute  to  its shareholders  for  each taxable  year  at least  90%  of its
investment company  taxable  income  (consisting  generally  of  net  investment
income,  net short-term capital gain and net gains from certain foreign currency
transactions) ("Distribution  Requirement")  and must  meet  several  additional
requirements.   These  requirements  include  the  Diversification  Requirements
described under  "Investment  Limitations" and  the  requirement that  the  Fund
derive  at  least 90%  of its  gross  income each  taxable year  from dividends,
interest, payments with respect to securities  loans and gains from the sale  or
other   disposition  of  securities  or  foreign  currencies,  or  other  income
(including gains  from  options,  Futures or  Forward  Contracts)  derived  with
respect  to its business of investing in securities or those currencies ("Income
Requirement").
    
 
Dividends and  other distributions  declared  by the  Fund  in, and  payable  to
shareholders  of record as  of a date  in, October, November  or December of any
year will  be  deemed  to have  been  paid  by  the Fund  and  received  by  the
shareholders  on December 31 of  that year if the  distributions are paid by the
Fund during  the following  January. Accordingly,  those distributions  will  be
taxed to shareholders for the year in which that December 31 falls.
 
A  portion of  the dividends from  the Fund's investment  company taxable income
(whether paid in cash  or reinvested in additional  shares) may be eligible  for
the  dividends-received deduction allowed to  corporations. The eligible portion
may  not  exceed  the  aggregate  dividends  received  by  the  Fund  from  U.S.
corporations.  However,  dividends  received  by  a  corporate  shareholder  and
deducted  by  it  pursuant  to  the  dividends-received  deduction  are  subject
indirectly to the alternative minimum tax.
 
If  Fund shares are sold at a loss after  being held for six months or less, the
loss will be treated  as long-term, instead of  short-term, capital loss to  the
extent  of any  capital gain distributions  received on  those shares. Investors
also should be aware that if shares are purchased shortly before the record date
for any dividend or other distribution, the shareholder will pay full price  for
the shares and receive some portion of the price back as a taxable distribution.
 
The  Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax ("Excise Tax") to the
extent it fails to distribute by the end of any calendar year substantially  all
of  its  ordinary income  for  that year  and capital  gain  net income  for the
one-year period ending on October 31 of that year, plus certain other amounts.
 
FOREIGN TAXES
   
Dividends and interest received by the Fund, and gains realized thereby, may  be
subject  to income, withholding or other  taxes imposed by foreign countries and
U.S. possessions  ("foreign taxes")  that would  reduce the  yield and/or  total
return  on its  securities. Tax  conventions between  certain countries  and the
United States may reduce or eliminate  foreign taxes, however, and many  foreign
countries  do not  impose taxes  on capital gains  in respect  of investments by
foreign investors. If more than 50% of  the value of the Fund's total assets  at
the  close of its  taxable year consists of  securities of foreign corporations,
the Fund  will be  eligible to,  and may,  file an  election with  the  Internal
Revenue  Service that  will enable its  shareholders, in effect,  to receive the
benefit of the foreign tax credit with respect to any foreign taxes paid by  it.
Pursuant  to the election, the Fund would treat those taxes as dividends paid to
its shareholders and each shareholder would be required to (1) include in  gross
income,  and treat as paid by him, his share of those taxes, (2) treat his share
of those taxes and of any dividend paid by the Fund that represents income  from
foreign  and U.S. possessions sources  as his own income  from those sources and
(3) either deduct the taxes deemed paid  by him in computing his taxable  income
or,  alternatively, use the foregoing information in calculating the foreign tax
credit against his federal income tax. The Fund will report to its  shareholders
shortly  after each  taxable year their  respective shares of  the Fund's income
from sources within, and taxes paid  to, foreign countries and U.S.  possessions
if  it makes this  election. Pursuant to  the Taxpayer Relief  Act of 1997 ("Tax
Act"), after  1997 individuals  who have  no more  than $300  ($600 for  married
persons  filing jointly) of creditable foreign  taxes included on Forms 1099 and
have no foreign source non-passive  income will be able  to claim a foreign  tax
credit without having to file the detailed Form 1116.
    
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 33
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
PASSIVE FOREIGN INVESTMENT COMPANIES
   
The  Fund  may invest  in the  stock of  "passive foreign  investment companies"
("PFICs"). A PFIC is a foreign  corporation -- other than a "controlled  foreign
corporation"  (I.E.,  a foreign  corporation  in which,  on  any day  during its
taxable year,  more than  50% of  the total  voting power  of all  voting  stock
therein  or the total value of all  stock therein is owned, directly, indirectly
or constructively, by  "U.S. shareholders," defined  in the singular  as a  U.S.
person  that owns, directly, indirectly or  constructively, at least 10% of that
voting power)  as to  which the  Fund  is a  U.S. shareholder  (effective  after
October  31, 1998) -- that, in general, meets either of the following tests: (1)
at least 75% of its gross income is passive or (2) an average of at least 50% of
its assets produce,  or are held  for the production  of, passive income.  Under
certain  circumstances, the  Fund will  be subject  to federal  income tax  on a
portion of  any "excess  distribution" received  on,  or of  any gain  from  the
disposition  of, stock  of a  PFIC (collectively  "PFIC income"),  plus interest
thereon, even if the Fund distributes the  PFIC income as a taxable dividend  to
its  shareholders. The balance of the PFIC income will be included in the Fund's
investment company taxable income and, accordingly, will not be taxable to it to
the extent that income is distributed to its shareholders.
    
 
If the Fund  invests in  a PFIC and  elects to  treat the PFIC  as a  "qualified
electing  fund"  ("QEF"),  then  in  lieu  of  the  foregoing  tax  and interest
obligation, the Fund would  be required to include  in income each taxable  year
its  pro rata  share of the  QEF's ordinary  earnings and net  capital gain (the
excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) --  which
most likely would have to be distributed by the Fund to satisfy the Distribution
Requirement and avoid imposition of the Excise Tax -- even if those earnings and
gain  were not received by the  Fund from the QEF. In  most instances it will be
very difficult, if  not impossible,  to make  this election  because of  certain
requirements thereof.
 
   
Effective for its taxable year beginning November 1, 1998, the Fund may elect to
"mark  to market" its  stock in any PFIC.  "Marking-to-market," in this context,
means including in ordinary income each taxable year the excess, if any, of  the
fair  market value of the PFIC's stock over the Fund's adjusted basis therein as
of the  end of  that year.  Pursuant to  the election,  the Fund  also would  be
allowed to deduct (as an ordinary, not capital, loss) the excess, if any, of its
adjusted  basis  in PFIC  stock over  the fair  market value  thereof as  of the
taxable year-end, but only  to the extent of  any net mark-to-market gains  with
respect  to that stock included by the  Fund for prior taxable years. The Fund's
adjusted basis in each PFIC's stock with respect to which it makes this election
will be adjusted to reflect the amounts of income included and deductions  taken
under  the  election.  Regulations  proposed in  1992  would  provide  a similar
election with respect to the stock of certain PFICs.
    
 
NON-U.S. SHAREHOLDERS
   
Dividends paid by the Fund to a shareholder  who, as to the United States, is  a
nonresident  alien individual, nonresident alien fiduciary of a trust or estate,
foreign corporation  or foreign  partnership ("foreign  shareholder")  generally
will be subject to U.S. withholding tax (at a rate of 30% or lower treaty rate).
Withholding  will  not  apply  if a  dividend  paid  by the  Fund  to  a foreign
shareholder is  "effectively connected  with  the conduct  of  a U.S.  trade  or
business,"  in which case the  reporting and withholding requirements applicable
to domestic shareholders will apply. A  distribution of net capital gain by  the
Fund  to a foreign shareholder generally will  be subject to U.S. federal income
tax (at the rates  applicable to domestic persons)  only if the distribution  is
"effectively  connected" or the foreign shareholder  is treated as a nonresident
alien individual for federal income tax purposes.
    
 
OPTIONS, FUTURES AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
   
The use  of  hedging transactions,  such  as selling  (writing)  and  purchasing
options  and  Futures Contracts  and entering  into Forward  Contracts, involves
complex rules that will determine, for federal income tax purposes, the  amount,
character and timing of recognition of the gains and losses the Fund realizes in
connection  therewith. Gains from the  disposition of foreign currencies (except
certain gains  that may  be  excluded by  future  regulations), and  gains  from
options,  Futures and Forward Contracts derived by  the Fund with respect to its
business of  investing in  securities  or foreign  currencies, will  qualify  as
permissible income under the Income Requirement.
    
 
   
Futures  and Forward  Contracts that  are subject  to section  1256 of  the Code
(other  than  those  that  are  part  of  a  "mixed  straddle")  ("Section  1256
Contracts")  and  that are  held by  the Fund  at  the end  of its  taxable year
generally will be deemed to  have been sold at  market value for federal  income
tax  purposes. Sixty percent of any net  gain or loss recognized on these deemed
sales, and 60% of any net gain or loss realized from any actual sales of Section
1256 Contracts,  will be  treated as  long-term capital  gain or  loss, and  the
balance  will be treated as short-term capital  gain or loss. It is not entirely
clear, as of the date of  this Statement of Additional Information, whether  the
60%  portion of that capital gain that is treated as long-term capital gain will
qualify for the reduced maximum tax rates on net capital gain enacted by the Tax
Act -- 20% (10% for taxpayers in the 15% marginal tax bracket) on capital assets
held for more than  18 months --  instead of the maximum  rate in effect  before
that legislation, 28%, which now applies to gain on capital assets held for more
than  one year but not  more than 18 months. Section  1256 contracts also may be
marked-to-market for purposes of the Excise Tax.
    
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 34
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
Section 988 of the Code also may apply to gains and losses from transactions  in
foreign  currencies, foreign-currency-denominated  debt securities  and options,
Futures and Forward  Contracts on  foreign currencies ("Section  988" gains  and
losses).  Each Section  988 gain  or loss  generally is  computed separately and
treated as ordinary income or loss. In the case of overlap between sections 1256
and 988, special provisions  determine the character and  timing of any  income,
gain  or loss. The Fund attempts to monitor section 988 transactions to minimize
any adverse tax impact.
 
   
If the Fund has  an "appreciated financial position"  -- generally, an  interest
(including  an interest through an option,  Futures or Forward Contract or short
sale) with respect to any stock, debt instrument (other than "straight debt") or
partnership interest the fair market value  of which exceeds its adjusted  basis
- --  and enters into a  "constructive sale" of the  same or substantially similar
property, the Fund will be treated as  having made an actual sale thereof,  with
the  result  that gain  will be  recognized  at that  time. A  constructive sale
generally consists of a short sale, an offsetting notional principal contract or
Futures or Forward Contract entered  into by the Fund  or a related person  with
respect  to  the same  or substantially  similar property.  In addition,  if the
appreciated financial  position is  itself  a short  sale  or such  a  contract,
acquisition of the underlying property or substantially similar property will be
deemed a constructive sale.
    
 
The  foregoing  is a  general  and abbreviated  summary  of certain  federal tax
considerations affecting the Fund and  its shareholders. Investors are urged  to
consult their own tax advisers for more detailed information and for information
regarding  any  foreign,  state  and  local  taxes  applicable  to distributions
received from the Fund.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
LIECHTENSTEIN GLOBAL TRUST
   
Liechtenstein Global Trust,  AG, is composed  of the Manager  and its  worldwide
affiliates. Other worldwide affiliates of Liechtenstein Global Trust include LGT
Bank  in Liechtenstein, an international  financial services institution founded
in  1920.  LGT   Bank  in   Liechtenstein  has  principal   offices  in   Vaduz,
Liechtenstein.  Its  subsidiaries currently  include  LGT Bank  in Liechtenstein
(Deutschland) GmbH, and LGT Asset Management AG, in Zurich, Switzerland.
    
 
   
Worldwide  asset  management  affiliates   also  currently  include  LGT   Asset
Management PLC, in London, England; LGT Asset Management Ltd., in Hong Kong; LGT
Asset  Management Ltd., in Tokyo; LGT  Asset Management Pte. Ltd., in Singapore;
LGT Asset  Management  Ltd.,  in  Sydney; and  LGT  Asset  Management  GmbH,  in
Frankfurt, Germany.
    
 
CUSTODIAN
State  Street  Bank and  Trust Company  ("State  Street"), 225  Franklin Street,
Boston, Massachusetts  02110, acts  as  custodian of  the Fund's  assets.  State
Street  is  authorized to  establish and  has  established separate  accounts in
foreign currencies and to cause  securities of the Fund  to be held in  separate
accounts outside the United States in the custody of non-U.S. banks.
 
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
The Fund's independent accountants are Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., One Post Office
Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. conducts an annual
audit  of the Fund, assists  in the preparation of  the Fund's federal and state
income tax returns and consults with the  Company and the Fund as to matters  of
accounting, regulatory filings, and federal and state income taxation.
 
The  audited financial statements  of the Company included  in this Statement of
Additional Information have been examined by Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., as stated
in their opinion appearing herein and are included in reliance upon such opinion
given upon the authority of that firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
USE OF NAME
The Manager has granted the  Company the right to use  the "GT" and "GT  Global"
names  and has  reserved the right  to withdraw its  consent to the  use of such
names by the Company and/or the  Fund at any time, or  to grant the use of  such
names to any other company.
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 35
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                               INVESTMENT RESULTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
STANDARDIZED RETURNS
The  Fund's "Standardized Returns," as referred to in the Prospectus (see "Other
Information --  Performance  Information"  in the  Prospectus),  are  calculated
separately for Class A, and Class B shares of the Fund, as follows: Standardized
Return  (average  annual total  return ("T"))  is computed  by using  the ending
redeeming value ("ERV")  of a  hypothetical initial investment  of $1,000  ("P")
over  a period of years ("n") according  to the following formula as required by
the SEC: P(1+T)  to the (n)th  power =  ERV. The following  assumptions will  be
reflected  in computations made in accordance with this formula: (1) for Class A
shares, deduction of the maximum sales  charge of 4.75% from the $1,000  initial
investment;  (2)  for Class  B shares,  deduction  of the  applicable contingent
deferred sales charge imposed  on a redemption  of Class B  shares held for  the
period; (3) reinvestment of dividends and other distributions at net asset value
on the reinvestment date determined by the Company's Board of Directors; and (4)
a complete redemption at the end of any period illustrated.
 
   
The  Standardized Returns  of the Predecessor  Fund (recomputed for  Class A and
Class B shares to reflect the deduction of the maximum sales charge of 4.75% for
Class A shares  and the deduction  of the applicable  contingent deferred  sales
charge  for Class B shares), stated as  average annualized total returns for the
periods shown, were:
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                         DEVELOPING
                                                                                                        MARKETS FUND
PERIOD                                                                                                    (CLASS A)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------------
<S>                                                                                                    <C>
Fiscal period ended June 30, 1997....................................................................         14.78%
January 11, 1994 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 1997..................................          3.17%
 
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                         DEVELOPING
 
                                                                                                        MARKETS FUND
 
PERIOD                                                                                                    (CLASS B)
 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------------
 
<S>                                                                                                    <C>
Fiscal period ended June 30, 1997....................................................................         15.50%
 
January 11, 1994 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 1997..................................          3.85%
 
</TABLE>
    
 
NON-STANDARDIZED RETURNS
In  addition   to  Standardized   Returns,  the   Fund  may   also  include   in
advertisements,  sales  literature and  shareholder  reports other  total return
performance  data  ("Non-Standardized   Return").  Non-Standardized  Return   is
calculated  separately for  Class A and  Class B shares  of the Fund  and may be
calculated according to several different formulas. Non-Standardized Returns may
be quoted for the same or different time periods for which Standardized  Returns
are  quoted. Non-Standardized  Returns may  or may  not take  sales charges into
account; performance data calculated without taking the effect of sales  charges
into account will be higher than data including the effect of such charges.
 
Average  annual Non-Standardized  Return ("T") is  computed by  using the ending
redeeming value ("ERV")  of a  hypothetical initial investment  of $1,000  ("P")
over  a period of years ("n") according  to the following formula as required by
the SEC: P(1+T)  to the (n)th  power =  ERV. The following  assumptions will  be
reflected in computations made in accordance with this formula: (1) no deduction
of  sales charges; (2) reinvestment of  dividends and other distributions at net
asset value on the reinvestment date determined by the Board; and (3) a complete
redemption at the end of any period illustrated.
 
   
The average annual Non-Standardized Returns  of the Predecessor Fund, stated  as
average annualized total returns for the periods shown, were:
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERIOD
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                                                    <C>
Fiscal period ended June 30, 1997....................................................................................
January 11, 1994 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 1997..................................................
 
<CAPTION>
PERIOD
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                                                    <C>
 
Fiscal period ended June 30, 1997....................................................................................         20.50%
 
January 11, 1994 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 1997..................................................          4.63%
 
</TABLE>
    
 
Aggregate Non-Standardized Return ("T") is computed by using the ending value of
the  account  ("VOA")  of  a hypothetical  initial  investment  of  $1,000 ("P")
according to the  following formula: T  = (VOA/P)-1. Aggregate  Non-Standardized
Return  assumes reinvestment  of dividends and  other distributions  and, as set
forth below, may or may not take sales charge into account.
 
   
The aggregate Non-Standardized Return of the Predecessor Fund (not recomputed to
take sales charges into account) for  the period January 11, 1994  (commencement
of operations) through June 30, 1997 was 16.98%.
    
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 36
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
   
The  aggregate Non-Standardized Returns  of the Predecessor  Fund (recomputed to
take sales  charges into  account) stated  as aggregate  total returns  for  the
periods shown, were:
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                         DEVELOPING
                                                                                                        MARKETS FUND
PERIOD                                                                                                    (CLASS A)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------------
<S>                                                                                                    <C>
January 11, 1994 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 1997..................................         11.42%
 
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                         DEVELOPING
 
                                                                                                        MARKETS FUND
 
PERIOD                                                                                                    (CLASS B)
 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------------
 
<S>                                                                                                    <C>
January 11, 1994 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 1997..................................         13.98%
 
</TABLE>
    
 
   
OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING STANDARDIZED AND NON-STANDARDIZED RETURNS
    
   
The  Standardized and Non-Standardized Return Data  are based on the performance
of the Predecessor  Fund as  a closed-end investment  company. The  Standardized
Return  Data,  however, have  been recomputed  to reflect  the deduction  of the
current maximum sales charge of  4.75% for Class A  shares and the deduction  of
the  applicable deferred sales charge of 5.00% for Class B shares, both of which
went into effect on  November 1, 1997.  Future performance of  the Fund will  be
effected  by expenses that it  will incur as a  series of an open-end investment
company. An  investor's actual  return may  also be  affected by  the Fund's  2%
redemption fee, which will be imposed on certain redemptions and exchanges until
May 1, 1998.
    
 
IMPORTANT POINTS TO NOTE ABOUT DATA RELATING TO WORLD EQUITY AND BOND MARKETS
   
Information   relating  to   foreign  market   performance,  capitalization  and
diversification is based on  sources believed to be  reliable, but which may  be
subject to revision and which has not been independently verified by the Company
or  GT  Global.  The authors  and  publishers of  such  material are  not  to be
considered as "experts"  under the  Securities Act of  1933, on  account of  the
inclusion  of such information  herein. Stocks chosen  by Morgan Stanley Capital
International or  the IFC  for  inclusion in  its various  international  market
indices  may not  necessarily constitute  a representative  cross-section of the
particular markets.
    
 
GT Global believes that this information may be useful to investors  considering
whether  and to what extent to  diversify their investments through the purchase
of mutual funds investing in securities on a global basis. However, this data is
not a representation of the past performance of the Fund, nor is it a prediction
of such performance. The performance of the Fund will differ from the historical
performance of  relevant  indices. The  performance  of indices  does  not  take
expenses  into account, while the Fund  incurs expenses in its operations, which
will reduce performance. The Fund is actively managed, I.E., the Manager, as the
Fund's investment manager,  actively purchases and  sells securities in  seeking
the  Fund's investment objective. Moreover, the Fund may invest a portion of its
assets in  corporate bonds,  while  certain indices  relate only  to  government
bonds.  Each of these factors  will cause the performance  of the Fund to differ
from relevant indices.
 
In addition,  GT Global  may in  its radio,  television and  other  advertising,
employ  the use of sound effects such as, for example, sounds of electronic data
being communicated.
 
   
The Fund  and GT  Global may  from time  to time  compare the  Fund with,  among
others, the following:
    
 
        (1) Various Salomon Brothers World Bond Indices, which measure the total
    return performance of high quality non-U.S. dollar denominated securities in
    major sectors of the worldwide bond markets.
 
        (2)  The  Lehman Brothers  Government/Corporate Bond  Index, which  is a
    comprehensive measure  of  all  public  obligations  of  the  U.S.  Treasury
    (excluding  flower bonds and  foreign targeted issues),  all publicly issued
    debt  of  agencies  of   the  U.S.  government  (excluding   mortgage-backed
    securities),  and all  public, fixed rate,  non-convertible investment grade
    domestic corporate debt rated at least Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P, or,  in
    the  case of nonrated bonds, BBB  by Fitch Investors Service, Inc. ("Fitch")
    (excluding Collateralized Mortgage Obligations).
 
        (3) Average of  Savings Accounts,  which is a  measure of  all kinds  of
    savings deposits, including longer-term certificates. Savings accounts offer
    a  guaranteed rate  of return on  principal, but no  opportunity for capital
    growth. During  a portion  of the  period, the  maximum rates  paid on  some
    savings deposits were fixed by law.
 
        (4)  The Consumer Price Index, which is  a measure of the average change
    in prices over time in  a fixed market basket  of goods and services  (e.g.,
    food,  clothing, shelter, fuels, transportation  fares, charges for doctors'
    and dentists' services, prescription medicines, and other goods and services
    that people buy for day-to-day living).
 
   
        (5) Data and mutual fund rankings and comparisons published or  prepared
    by  Lipper  Analytical  Data  Services,  Inc.  ("Lipper"),  CDA/Wiesenberger
    Investment Company Services ("CDA/Wiesenberger") and/or other companies that
    rank or compare mutual funds by overall performance, investment  objectives,
    assets,  expense levels, periods of existence  and/or other factors. In this
    regard, the Fund may be compared to  its "peer group" as defined by  Lipper,
    CDA/Wiesenberger  and/or other firms, as applicable, or to specific funds or
    groups of funds within or without  such peer group. Morningstar is a  mutual
    fund   rating  service  that  also  rates  mutual  funds  on  the  basis  of
    risk-adjusted
    
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 37
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
    performance. Morningstar ratings  are calculated from  a fund's three,  five
    and  ten year average annual returns  with appropriate fee adjustments and a
    risk factor that reflects fund performance relative to the three-month  U.S.
    Treasury  bill monthly  returns. Ten percent  of the funds  in an investment
    category receive five stars  and 22.5% receive four  stars. The ratings  are
    subject to change each month.
 
   
        (6)  Bear  Stearns Foreign  Bond  Index, which  provides  simple average
    returns for individual countries and gross national product ("GNP") weighted
    index, beginning in 1975.  The returns are broken  down by local market  and
    currency.
    
 
   
        (7)  Ibbotson  Associates  International Bond  Index,  which  provides a
    detailed breakdown of local market and currency returns since 1960.
    
 
   
        (8) Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index, which is a widely
    recognized index  composed of  the  capitalization-weighted average  of  the
    price of 500 of the largest publicly traded stocks in the United States.
    
 
   
        (9)  Salomon Brothers  Broad Investment Grade  Index, which  is a widely
    used  index   composed   of   U.S.  domestic   government,   corporate   and
    mortgage-backed fixed income securities.
    
 
       (10) Dow Jones Industrial Average.
 
       (11) CNBC/Financial News Composite Index.
 
       (12) Morgan Stanley Capital International World Indices, including, among
    others, the Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australia, Far East
    Index  ("EAFE Index").  The EAFE  index is an  unmanaged index  of more than
    1,000 companies in Europe, Australia and the Far East.
 
   
       (13) Salomon Brothers  World Government Bond  Index and Salomon  Brothers
    World  Government Bond Index-Non-U.S., each of  which is a widely used index
    composed of world government bonds.
    
 
   
       (14) The World Bank Publication of Trends in Developing Countries (TIDE),
    which provides brief reports on most of the World Bank's borrowing  members.
    The  World Development Report is published  annually and looks at global and
    regional  economic  trends  and   their  implications  for  the   developing
    economies.
    
 
   
       (15)  Salomon Brothers Global Telecommunications Index, which is composed
    of telecommunications companies in the developing and emerging countries.
    
 
   
       (16) Datastream  and Worldscope,  each of  which is  an on-line  database
    retrieval  service  for  information including  international  financial and
    economic data.
    
 
       (17)  International  Financial  Statistics,  which  is  produced  by  the
    International Monetary Fund.
 
   
       (18)  Various publications and reports produced by the World Bank and its
    affiliates.
    
 
       (19) Various publications from the International Bank for  Reconstruction
    and Development/The World Bank.
 
   
       (20)  Various publications of  ratings agencies such  as Moody's, S&P and
    Fitch.
    
 
   
       (21) Wilshire Associates, which is an on-line database for  international
    financial  and economic data including performance  measure for a wide range
    of securities.
    
 
       (22) Bank Rate National Monitor Index, which is an average of the  quoted
    rates for 100 leading banks and thrifts in ten U.S. cities.
 
   
       (23)  International  Finance  Corporation ("IFC")  Emerging  Markets Data
    Base, which  provides  detailed statistics  on  stock and  bond  markets  in
    developing countries.
    
 
       (24)  Various publications from the Organization for Economic Cooperation
    and Development (OECD).
 
   
       (25) Micropal Inc.
    
 
   
Indices, economic and  financial data  prepared by the  research departments  of
various  financial organizations such as Salomon Brothers Inc., Lehman Brothers,
Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc., J. P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley,
Dean Witter, Discover & Co., Smith  Barney, S.G. Warburg, Jardine Flemming,  The
Bank  for International Settlements, Asian Development Bank, Bloomberg, L.P. and
Ibbotson Associates may be used, as well as information reported by the  Federal
Reserve  and the  respective central banks  of various nations.  In addition, GT
Global  may   use  performance   rankings,  ratings   and  commentary   reported
periodically  in  national  financial  publications,  including  Money Magazine,
    
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 38
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
   
Mutual Fund Magazine, Smart Money,  Global Finance, EuroMoney, Financial  World,
Forbes, Fortune, Business Week, Latin Finance, the Wall Street Journal, Emerging
Markets  Weekly, Kiplinger's Guide To  Personal Finance, Barron's, The Financial
Times, USA Today, The New York Times, Far Eastern Economic Review, The Economist
and Investors Business Digest. The Fund  may compare its performance to that  of
other  compilations or indices  of comparable quality to  those listed above and
other indices that may be developed and made available in the future.
    
 
From time  to  time,  the  Fund  and  GT Global  may  refer  to  the  number  of
shareholders  in the  Fund or  the aggregate  number of  shareholders in  all GT
Global Mutual Funds  or the  dollar amount of  Fund assets  under management  or
rankings by DALBAR Surveys, Inc. in advertising materials.
 
   
GT  Global  believes  the  Fund  is  an  appropriate  investment  for  long-term
investment  goals  including  funding   retirement,  paying  for  education   or
purchasing  a house. The Fund does  not represent a complete investment program,
and investors should  consider the Fund  as appropriate for  a portion of  their
overall investment portfolio with regard to their long-term investment goals.
    
 
   
GT  Global believes that  a growing number of  consumer products, including home
appliances, automobiles and  clothing, purchased by  Americans are  manufactured
abroad. GT Global believes that investing globally in the companies that produce
products for U.S. consumers can help U.S. investors seek protection of the value
of their assets against the potentially increasing costs of foreign manufactured
goods.  Of course, there can be no  assurance that there will be any correlation
between global investing and the costs of  such foreign goods unless there is  a
corresponding  change in  value of the  U.S. dollar to  foreign currencies. From
time to time, GT Global  may refer to or advertise  the names of such  companies
although  there can be no  assurance that any GT Global  Mutual Fund may own the
securities of these companies.
    
 
   
The Fund may be  compared in advertising to  certificates of deposit (CDs),  the
Bank Rate Monitor National Index (an average of the quoted rates for 100 leading
banks  and  thrifts in  ten  U.S. cities  chosen  to represent  the  ten largest
Consumer Metropolitan statistical areas) or  other investments issued by  banks.
The  Fund differs from bank investments in  several respects. The Fund may offer
greater liquidity or higher potential returns than CDs; but unlike CDs, the Fund
will have a fluctuating share price and return and is not FDIC insured.
    
 
   
The Fund's performance may be compared to the performance of other mutual  funds
in  general or  to the  performance of particular  types of  mutual funds. These
comparisons may be  expressed as  mutual fund  rankings prepared  by Lipper,  an
independent  service  that  monitors  the performance  of  mutual  funds. Lipper
generally ranks funds  on the basis  of total return,  assuming reinvestment  of
distributions,  but  does  not  take  sales  charges  or  redemption  fees  into
consideration, and its rankings are prepared without regard to tax consequences.
In addition to the mutual fund rankings, the Fund's performance may be  compared
to mutual fund performance indices prepared by Lipper.
    
 
GT  Global may provide information designed to help individuals understand their
investment goals  and  explore various  financial  strategies. For  example,  GT
Global  may describe general principles of  investing, such as asset allocation,
diversification and risk tolerance.
 
Ibbotson Associates of Chicago, Illinois (Ibbotson) provides historical  returns
of  the capital  markets in  the United  States, including  common stocks, small
capitalization stocks, long-term  corporate bonds, intermediate-term  government
bonds,  long-term government bonds,  Treasury bills, the  U.S. rate of inflation
(based on the CPI), and combinations of various capital markets. The performance
of these capital markets is based on the returns of different indices.
 
   
GT Global Mutual Funds may use the performance of these capital markets in order
to demonstrate  general  risk-versus-reward  investment  scenarios.  Performance
comparisons  may also include the  value of a hypothetical  investment in any of
these capital  markets. The  risks associated  with the  security types  in  any
capital market may or may not correspond directly to those of the Fund. Ibbotson
calculates total returns in the same method as the Fund.
    
 
   
In  advertising materials, GT  Global may reference or  discuss its products and
services, which may  include retirement  investing, the  effects of  dollar-cost
averaging  and saving for  college or a  home. In addition,  GT Global may quote
financial or business publications  and periodicals, including model  portfolios
or  allocations, as  they relate to  fund management,  investment philosophy and
investment techniques.
    
 
The Fund may discuss its Quotron number, CUSIP number, and its current portfolio
management team.
 
From time to time, the Fund's performance  also may be compared to other  mutual
funds  tracked  by  financial  or  business  publications  and  periodicals. For
example, the  Fund may  quote Morningstar,  Inc. in  its advertising  materials.
Morningstar, Inc. is a mutual fund rating service that rates mutual funds on the
basis of risk-adjusted performance. In addition, the Fund may quote financial or
business  publications  and  periodicals  as  they  relate  to  fund management,
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 39
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
   
investment philosophy  and  investment  techniques. Rankings  that  compare  the
performance  of GT Global Mutual Funds  to one another in appropriate categories
over specific periods of time may also be quoted in advertising.
    
 
The Fund may quote various measures of volatility and benchmark correlation such
as beta, standard deviation and R(2)  in advertising. In addition, the Fund  may
compare  these measures to those of other  funds. Measures of volatility seek to
compare the Fund's historical share price fluctuations or total returns compared
to those  of  a  benchmark.  All measures  of  volatility  and  correlation  are
calculated using averages of historical data.
 
   
The  Fund may  advertise examples of  the effects of  periodic investment plans,
including the principle of dollar cost averaging. In such a program, an investor
invests a  fixed  dollar amount  in  the  Fund at  periodic  intervals,  thereby
purchasing  fewer shares when  prices are high  and more shares  when prices are
low. While such a strategy does not assure  a profit or guard against loss in  a
declining  market, the investor's  average cost per  share can be  lower than if
fixed numbers of shares are purchased at the same intervals. In evaluating  such
a  plan, investors should  consider their ability  to continue purchasing shares
through periods of low price levels.
    
 
   
The Fund may describe in its  sales material and advertisements how an  investor
may  invest in the  GT Global Mutual  Funds through various  retirement plans or
other programs that offer deferral of income taxes on investment earnings and to
which  an  investor  may  make   deductible  contributions.  Because  of   their
advantages,  these retirement plans and programs may produce returns superior to
comparable non-retirement investments. For example, a $10,000 investment earning
a taxable return of 10% annually would have an after-tax value of $17,976  after
ten  years, assuming tax was deducted from the return each year at a 39.6% rate.
An equivalent tax-deferred investment would  have an after-tax value of  $19,626
after  ten years, assuming  tax was deducted  at a 39.6%  rate from the deferred
earnings  at  the   end  of  the   ten-year  period.  In   sales  material   and
advertisements,  the  Fund  may  also  discuss  these  plans  and  programs. See
"Information Relating to Sales and Redemptions -- Individual Retirement Accounts
("IRAs") and Other Tax-Deferred Plans."
    
 
GT Global may from time to time in its sales methods and advertising discuss the
risks inherent in investing. The major types of investment risk are market risk,
industry risk,  credit  risk,  interest  rate  risk  and  inflation  risk.  Risk
represents the possibility that you may lose some or all of your investment over
a  period  of time.  A basic  tenet of  investing is  the greater  the potential
reward, the greater the risk.
 
   
From time to time, the Fund and  GT Global will quote data regarding  individual
countries,   regions,  world  stock  exchanges   and  economic  and  demographic
statistics from sources  GT Global  deems reliable, including  the economic  and
financial data of financial organizations such as:
    
 
 1) Stock  market  capitalization:  Morgan Stanley  Capital  International World
    Indices, IFC and Datastream.
 
 2) Stock market trading volume:  Morgan Stanley Capital International  Industry
    Indices and IFC.
 
 3) The  number of  listed companies: IFC,  G.T. Guide to  World Equity Markets,
    Salomon Brothers, Inc., and S.G. Warburg.
 
 4) Wage rates: U.S. Department of  Labor Statistics and Morgan Stanley  Capital
    International World Indices.
 
 5) International  industry  performance: Morgan  Stanley  Capital International
    World Indices, Wilshire Associates and Salomon Brothers, Inc.
 
 6) Stock  market  performance:  Morgan  Stanley  Capital  International   World
    Indices, IFC and Datastream.
 
 7) The  Consumer Price Index and inflation rate: The World Bank, Datastream and
    IFC.
 
 8) Gross Domestic Product (GDP): Datastream and The World Bank.
 
 9) GDP growth rate: IFC, The World Bank and Datastream.
 
10) Population: The World Bank, Datastream and United Nations.
 
11) Average annual growth rate (%) of population: The World Bank, Datastream and
    United Nations.
 
12) Age distribution within populations:  Organization for Economic  Cooperation
    and Development and United Nations.
 
13) Total exports and imports by year: IFC, The World Bank and Datastream.
 
   
14) Top three companies by country, industry or market: IFC, G.T. Guide to World
    Equity Markets, Salomon Brothers, Inc., and S.G. Warburg.
    
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 40
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
15) Foreign  direct  investments to  developing  countries: The  World  Bank and
    Datastream.
 
16) Standard deviation and performance returns for U.S. and non-U.S. equity  and
    bond markets: Morgan Stanley Capital International.
 
17) Countries  restructuring their debt,  including those under  the Brady Plan:
    the Manager.
 
18) Political and economic structure of countries: Economist Intelligence Unit.
 
19) Government and  corporate bonds  -- credit  ratings, yield  to maturity  and
    performance returns: Salomon Brothers, Inc.
 
20) Dividend yields for U.S. and non-U.S. companies: Bloomberg.
 
21) Supply,  consumption,  demand  and  growth in  demand  of  certain products,
    services and industries, including, but not limited to, electricity,  water,
    transportation, construction materials, natural resources, technology, other
    basic infrastructure, financial services, health care services and supplies,
    consumer products and services and telecommunications equipment and services
    (sources  of such information may include, but  would not be limited to, The
    World Bank, OECD, IMF, Bloomberg and Datastream).
 
In advertising and sales materials, GT  Global may make reference to or  discuss
its products, services and accomplishments. Among these accomplishments are that
in  1983  the Manager  provided assistance  to  the government  of Hong  Kong in
linking its currency to the  U.S. dollar, and that  in 1987 Japan's Ministry  of
Finance  licensed  LGT  Asset  Management  Ltd.  as  one  of  the  first foreign
discretionary investment managers for Japanese investors. Such  accomplishments,
however, should not be viewed as an endorsement of the Manager by the government
of  Hong Kong, Japan's Ministry of Finance or any other government or government
agency. Nor do  any such accomplishments  of the Manager  provide any  assurance
that the GT Global Mutual Funds' investment objectives will be achieved.
 
GT GLOBAL ADVANTAGE
As  part of Liechtenstein Global Trust,  GT Global continues a 75-year tradition
of  service  to  individuals  and  institutions.  Today  we  bring  investors  a
combination of experience, worldwide resources, a global perspective, investment
talent and a time tested investment discipline. With investment professionals in
nine  offices  worldwide,  we  witness world  events  and  economic developments
firsthand.
 
The key to achieving  consistent results is  following a disciplined  investment
process.  Our  approach  to  asset allocation  takes  advantage  of  GT Global's
worldwide  presence  and  global  perspective.  Our  "macroeconomic"   worldview
determines our overall strategy of regional, country and sector allocations. Our
bottom  up  process of  security  selection combines  fundamental  research with
quantitative analysis through our proprietary models.
 
   
Built-in checks  and balances  strengthen  the process,  enhancing  professional
experience  and judgment with an objective  assessment of risk. Ultimately, each
security we select has  passed a ranking system  that helps our portfolio  teams
determine  when to buy and when to sell.  With respect to stocks, a global stock
research (GSR) database  developed by  GT Global  is utilized  in the  selection
process.  All stocks  within the GSR  database are systematically  ranked by our
analysts on a 1-5 basis with 1 representing the most favored. The rankings along
with our quantitative, fundamental research,  determine which stocks are  bought
and sold.
    
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 41
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF DEBT RATINGS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
DESCRIPTION OF BOND RATINGS
Moody's  rates the debt securities issued by various entities from "Aaa" to "C".
Investment grade ratings are the first four categories:
 
        Aaa --  Best quality.  These  securities carry  the smallest  degree  of
    investment  risk  and are  generally referred  to  as "gilt  edge." Interest
    payments are  protected  by a  large  or exceptionally  stable  margin,  and
    principal  is secure.  While the various  protective elements  are likely to
    change, such changes as  can be visualized are  most unlikely to impair  the
    fundamentally strong position of such issues.
 
        Aa  -- High quality by all standards. They are rated lower than the best
    bond because margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities,
    fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there  may
    be  other elements  present which  make the  long-term risk  appear somewhat
    greater.
 
        A  --  Upper  medium  grade  obligations.  Factors  giving  security  to
    principal  and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present
    which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
 
        Baa  --  Medium  grade  obligations.  Interest  payments  and  principal
    security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may
    be  lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of
    time. Such bonds  lack outstanding  investment characteristics  and in  fact
    have speculative characteristics as well.
 
        Ba -- Have speculative elements and their future cannot be considered to
    be well assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may
    be very moderate, and thereby not well safeguarded during other good and bad
    times  over the future. Uncertainty of  position characterizes bonds in this
    class.
 
        B  --  Generally  lack  characteristics  of  the  desirable  investment.
    Assurance  of interest  and principal  payments or  of maintenance  of other
    terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
 
        Caa -- Poor  standing. Such issues  may be  in default or  there may  be
    present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.
 
        Ca  -- Speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or
    have other marked shortcomings.
 
        C -- Lowest rated  class of bonds.  Issues so rated  can be regarded  as
    having  extremely  poor  prospects  of ever  attaining  any  real investment
    standing.
 
ABSENCE OF RATING: Where no rating has been assigned or where a rating has  been
suspended  or withdrawn, it may  be for reasons unrelated  to the quality of the
issue.
 
Should no rating be assigned, the reason may be one of the following:
 
    1. An application for rating was not received or accepted.
 
    2. The issue or issuer  belongs to a group  of securities or companies  that
are not rated as a matter of policy.
 
    3. There is a lack of essential data pertaining to the issue or issuer.
 
    4. The issue was privately placed, in which case the rating is not published
in Moody's publications.
 
Suspension  or withdrawal may occur if new and material circumstances arise, the
effects of which preclude satisfactory analysis; if there is no longer available
reasonable up-to-date data  to permit  a judgment  to be  formed; if  a bond  is
called for redemption; or for other reasons.
 
Note:  Moody's applies  numerical modifiers  1, 2 and  3 in  each generic rating
classification from Aa to B in its corporate bond rating system. The modifier  1
indicates  that  the Company  ranks  in the  higher  end of  its  generic rating
category; the  modifier 2  indicates a  mid-range ranking;  and the  modifier  3
indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating category.
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 42
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
S&P  rates the  securities debt of  various entities in  categories ranging from
"AAA" to "DD" according to quality. Investment grade ratings are the first  four
categories:
 
        AAA  -- Highest rating. Capacity to  pay interest and repay principal is
    extremely strong.
 
        AA --  High  grade. Very  strong  capacity  to pay  interest  and  repay
    principal.  Generally, these  bonds differ from  AAA issues only  in a small
    degree.
 
        A -- Have a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal although
    they are  somewhat more  susceptible to  the adverse  effects of  change  in
    circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.
 
        BBB  -- Regarded as  having adequate capacity to  pay interest and repay
    principal. These bonds normally exhibit adequate protection parameters,  but
    adverse  economic conditions  or changing  circumstances are  more likely to
    lead to a  weakened capacity to  pay interest and  repay principal than  for
    debt in higher rated categories.
 
        BB,  B, CCC,  CC, C --  Debt rated "BB,"  "B," "CCC," "CC,"  and "C" are
    regarded, on balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to  capacity
    to  pay interest and  repay principal in  accordance with the  terms of this
    obligation. "BB"  indicates the  lowest degree  of speculation  and "C"  the
    highest degree of speculation. While such debt will likely have some quality
    and  protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties
    or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.
 
        BB -- Has less near-term vulnerability to default than other speculative
    issues; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse
    business, financial or  economic conditions which  could lead to  inadequate
    capacity  to meet  timely interest and  principal payments.  The "BB" rating
    category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is  assigned
    an actual or implied "BBB-" rating.
 
        B  --  Has a  greater  vulnerability to  default  but currently  has the
    capacity  to  meet  interest  payments  and  principal  repayments.  Adverse
    business,  financial or economic  conditions will likely  impair capacity or
    willingness to pay interest and repay principal. The "B" rating category  is
    also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or
    implied "BB" or "BB-" rating.
 
        CCC  -- Has  a currently  indefinable vulnerability  to default,  and is
    dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions to meet
    timely payment  of interest  and repayment  of principal.  In the  event  of
    adverse business, financial or economic conditions, it is not likely to have
    the  capacity to pay interest and repay principal. The "CCC" rating category
    is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual
    or implied "B" or "B-" rating.
 
        CC -- Typically  applied to  debt subordinated  to senior  debt that  is
    assigned an actual or implied "CCC" rating.
 
        C  -- Typically  applied to  debt subordinated  to senior  debt which is
    assigned an actual or implied "CCC-" debt rating. The "C" rating may be used
    to cover a situation  where a bankruptcy petition  has been filed, but  debt
    service payments are continued.
 
        C -- Reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being paid.
 
        D  -- In payment default. The "D"  rating is used when interest payments
    are not made on  the date due  even if the applicable  grace period has  not
    expired,  unless S&P  believes that such  payments will be  made during such
    grace period.  The  "D" rating  also  will be  used  upon the  filing  of  a
    bankruptcy petition if debt service payments are jeopardized.
 
PLUS  (+) OR MINUS  (-): The ratings from  "AA" to "CCC" may  be modified by the
addition of a  plus or minus  sign to  show relative standing  within the  major
rating categories.
 
NR:  Indicates  that  no  public  rating  has  been  requested,  that  there  is
insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate  a
particular type of obligation as a matter of policy.
 
DESCRIPTION OF COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
Moody's  employs the designations "Prime-1" and "Prime-2" to indicate commercial
paper having the highest  capacity for timely  repayment. Issuers rated  Prime-1
have  a superior  capacity for  repayment of  short-term promissory obligations.
Prime-1  repayment  capacity  normally  will  be  evidenced  by  the   following
characteristics:  leading market positions  in well-established industries; high
rates of return on funds  employed; conservative capitalization structures  with
moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protections; broad margins in earnings
coverage  of  fixed financial  charges and  high  internal cash  generation; and
well-established access to a range of  financial markets and assured sources  of
alternate  liquidity. Issues rated Prime-2 have  a strong capacity for repayment
of short-term promissory obligations. This normally will be evidenced by many of
the characteristics cited  above, but to  a lesser degree.  Earnings trends  and
coverage ratios,
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 43
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
while  sound, will be more subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics,
while still  appropriate, may  be more  affected by  external conditions.  Ample
alternate liquidity is maintained.
 
S&P ratings of commercial paper are graded into four categories ranging from "A"
for  the highest quality obligations to "D" for the lowest. A -- Issues assigned
its highest  rating are  regarded as  having the  greatest capacity  for  timely
payment.  Issues in  this category are  delineated with  numbers 1, 2,  and 3 to
indicate the relative degree of safety.  A-1 -- This designation indicates  that
the  degree of  safety regarding timely  payment is either  overwhelming or very
strong. Those issues determined  to possess overwhelming safety  characteristics
will  be denoted with a  plus (++) sign designation.  A-2 -- Capacity for timely
payments on issues with this designation is strong; however, the relative degree
of safety is not as high as for issues designated "A-1."
 
COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
The Fund may invest only in high quality commercial paper, i.e. commercial paper
rated Prime-1 by Moody's, A-1 by S&P,  or, if unrated, judged by the Manager  to
be  of comparable  quality. Issuers  rated Prime-1  by Moody's  have, in Moody's
judgment, a  superior capacity  for repayment  of short-term  debt  obligations.
Prime-1   repayment  capacity  will  normally  be  evidenced  by  the  following
characteristics: leading market positions  in well-established industries;  high
rates  of return on funds  employed; conservative capitalization structures with
moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protections; broad margins in earnings
coverage of  fixed financial  charges  and high  internal cash  generation;  and
well-established  access to a range of  financial markets and assured sources of
alternate liquidity. Issues assigned the A-1  rating by S&P are regarded by  S&P
as  having the greatest capacity for  timely payment. This designation indicates
that the degree  of safety regarding  timely payment is  either overwhelming  or
very strong.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
The  audited financial statements of  the Fund as of  December 31, 1996, and for
its fiscal  year  then-ended, and  as  of June  30,  1997, and  for  the  period
then-ended, appear on the following pages.
    
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 44
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of G.T. Global Developing Markets
Fund, Inc. ("Fund"):
 
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of G.T.
Global Developing Markets Fund, Inc., including the portfolio of investments, as
of December 31, 1996, the related statement of operations for the year then
ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the
period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods
indicated herein. These financial statements and the financial highlights are
the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements and the financial highlights based on our
audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and the financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of
December 31, 1996, by correspondence with the custodians and brokers. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
 
In our opinion, the financial statements and the financial highlights referred
to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
G.T. Global Developing Markets Fund, Inc. as of December 31, 1996, the results
of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for
each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for
each of the periods indicated herein, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
 
                                                        COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
 
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
FEBRUARY 14, 1997
 
                                       F1
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                            PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
 
                               December 31, 1996
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           VALUE         % OF NET
EQUITY INVESTMENTS                                             COUNTRY      SHARES        (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -----------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                            <C>        <C>           <C>            <C>
Finance (23.8%)
  Banco LatinoAmericano de Exportaciones S.A. (Bladex)
   "E"{\/} ..................................................   PAN           277,800   $ 14,098,350         2.8
    OTHER FINANCIAL
  Peregrine Investment Holdings Ltd. ........................   HK          7,955,000     13,628,620         2.7
    INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
  Uniao Bancos Brasileiras "A" Preferred ....................   BRZL      334,200,000     10,905,169         2.2
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  Banco Totta & Acores "B" - Registered .....................   PORT          570,814     10,768,130         2.1
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  Tai Cheung Holdings Ltd. ..................................   HK         10,000,000      9,438,841         1.9
    REAL ESTATE
  Banco Itau S.A. Preferred .................................   BRZL       20,890,000      9,048,513         1.8
    BANKS-REGIONAL
  Banco Ganadero S.A. - ADR{\/} .............................   COL           402,500      8,653,750         1.7
    BANKS-REGIONAL
  Suramericana de Seguros S.A. ..............................   COL           464,609      8,496,974         1.7
    INSURANCE - MULTI-LINE
  Ayala Land, Inc. "B" ......................................   PHIL        6,895,200      7,877,228         1.6
    REAL ESTATE
  State Bank of India Ltd. - GDR-/- {\/} ....................   IND           361,000      6,270,570         1.2
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  Administradora de Fondos de Pensiones Provida S.A. -
   ADR{\/} ..................................................   CHLE          248,400      4,657,500         0.9
    INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
  Malaysian Assurance Alliance Bhd. .........................   MAL           892,000      4,345,188         0.9
    INSURANCE - MULTI-LINE
  Bank Gdanski S.A. - GDR{\/} ...............................   POL           337,100      4,239,033         0.8
    BANKS-REGIONAL
  PSIL Bangkok Bank Co., Ltd. (Entitlement
   Certificates){\/} ........................................   THAI          500,000      3,685,000         0.7
    OTHER FINANCIAL
  Banco de Colombia: ........................................   COL                --             --         0.7
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
    144A GDR{.} {\/} ........................................   --            357,200      2,634,350          --
    Common ..................................................   --          2,365,000        952,018          --
  Banco Commercial S.A. - Reg. S GDR{c} {\/} ................   URGY           29,300        476,125         0.1
    BANKS-REGIONAL
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                         120,175,359
                                                                                        ------------
Energy (10.8%)
  LUKoil Holding - ADR{\/} ..................................   RUS           269,400     12,392,400         2.5
    GAS PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION
  C.A. La Electricidad de Caracas ...........................   VENZ       10,188,891     10,343,943         2.1
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
  Companhia Energetica de Minas Gerais (Cemig) - ADR{\/} ....   BRZL          275,350      9,086,550         1.8
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
  Triton Energy Ltd.-/- .....................................   US            165,100      8,007,350         1.6
    OIL
  Benton Oil & Gas Co.-/- ...................................   US            321,600      7,276,200         1.4
    OIL
  Czeske Energeticke Zavody (CEZ AS)-/- .....................   CZCH          134,030      4,827,289         1.0
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                       F2
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                               December 31, 1996
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           VALUE         % OF NET
EQUITY INVESTMENTS                                             COUNTRY      SHARES        (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -----------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                            <C>        <C>           <C>            <C>
Energy (Continued)
  Empresa Nacional de Electricidad S.A. - ADR{\/} ...........   CHLE          135,800   $  2,104,900         0.4
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                          54,038,632
                                                                                        ------------
Materials/Basic Industry (7.7%)
  General Mining Union Corp. (Gencor) .......................   SAFR        2,750,000      9,997,861         2.0
    METALS - NON-FERROUS
  Kimberly-Clark de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. "A" ................   MEX           504,000      9,962,120         2.0
    PAPER/PACKAGING
  Gujarat Ambuja Cements - GDR{\/} ..........................   IND         1,053,040      8,687,580         1.7
    CEMENT
  Anglo American Corporation of South Africa Ltd. ...........   SAFR           74,900      4,124,626         0.8
    GOLD
  Oryx Gold Holdings Ltd.-/- ................................   SAFR        2,235,600      3,231,962         0.6
    GOLD
  Industrias Penoles S.A. "CP" ..............................   MEX           871,000      3,088,967         0.6
    METALS - NON-FERROUS
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                          39,093,116
                                                                                        ------------
Services (6.5%)
  Dickson Concepts International Ltd. .......................   HK          3,122,800     11,709,491         2.3
    WHOLESALE & INTERNATIONAL TRADE
  SPT Telecom-/- ............................................   CZCH           62,453      7,779,628         1.5
    TELEPHONE NETWORKS
  Amway Asia Pacific Ltd.{\/} ...............................   HK            160,000      6,780,000         1.4
    WHOLESALE & INTERNATIONAL TRADE
  South China Morning Post (Holdings) Ltd. ..................   HK          7,940,000      6,570,468         1.3
    BROADCASTING & PUBLISHING
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                          32,839,587
                                                                                        ------------
Consumer Non-Durables (4.0%)
  Companhia Cervejaria Brahma Preferred .....................   BRZL       17,020,000      9,305,381         1.9
    BEVERAGES - ALCOHOLIC
  Panamerican Beverages, Inc. "A"{\/} .......................   MEX           115,400      5,409,375         1.1
    BEVERAGES - NON-ALCOHOLIC
  Bavaria ...................................................   COL         1,249,459      5,091,722         1.0
    BEVERAGES - ALCOHOLIC
  Noble China-/- {/\} .......................................   CHNA          103,700        206,764          --
    BEVERAGES - ALCOHOLIC
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                          20,013,242
                                                                                        ------------
Consumer Durables (2.0%)
  Johnson Electric Holdings Ltd. ............................   HK          3,500,000      9,684,510         1.9
    AUTO PARTS
  Tata Engineering and Locomotive Co., Ltd. - GDR{\/} .......   IND            48,000        510,000         0.1
    AUTOMOBILES
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                          10,194,510
                                                                                        ------------
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                       F3
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                               December 31, 1996
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           VALUE         % OF NET
EQUITY INVESTMENTS                                             COUNTRY      SHARES        (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -----------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                            <C>        <C>           <C>            <C>
Multi-Industry/Miscellaneous (1.8%)
  Banco Comercial Portugues "A", Convertible Preferred, 8%
   till 6/30/03{\/ } ........................................   PORT          120,000   $  6,195,000         1.2
    MISCELLANEOUS
  Grasim Industries Ltd. - GDR{\/} ..........................   IND           157,000      2,355,000         0.5
    MISCELLANEOUS
  Mosenergo - 144A ADR{.} -/- {\/} ..........................   RUS            10,000        302,500         0.1
    MISCELLANEOUS
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                           8,852,500
                                                                                        ------------
Capital Goods (0.3%)
  Hindalco Industries Ltd. - 144A GDR{.} {\/} ...............   IND            52,500      1,286,250         0.3
    INDUSTRIAL COMPONENTS
  ECI Telecommunications Ltd.{\/} ...........................   ISRL            7,000        148,750          --
    TELECOM EQUIPMENT
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                           1,435,000
                                                                                        ------------       -----
 
TOTAL EQUITY INVESTMENTS (cost $252,541,405) ................                            286,641,946        56.9
                                                                                        ------------       -----
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                           PRINCIPAL       VALUE         % OF NET
FIXED INCOME INVESTMENTS                                       CURRENCY     AMOUNT        (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -----------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                            <C>        <C>           <C>            <C>
Government & Government Agency Obligations (26.1%)
  Argentina (4.4%)
    Republic of Argentina:
      Discount Bond, 6.375% due 3/31/23+ ....................   USD        11,237,000      8,673,559         1.7
      Par Bond, 5.25% due 3/31/23++ .........................   USD         8,470,000      5,399,625         1.1
      BOCON Pre 4, 5.375% due 9/1/02[.] + ...................   USD         4,443,000      4,777,336         0.9
      Floating Rate Bond, 6.625% due 3/31/05+ ...............   USD         4,194,400      3,656,993         0.7
  Brazil (4.0%)
    Federal Republic of Brazil:
      C Bond, 4.5% due 4/15/14 (Effective rate at year end is
       7.08125%, including "payment-in-kind" bonds.)[.]
       ++ ...................................................   USD        24,899,773     18,363,746         3.6
      MYDFA Floating Rate Note, 6.6875% due 9/15/07 - 144A+
       {.} ..................................................   USD         2,346,000      2,011,695         0.4
  Bulgaria (1.3%)
    Bulgaria, Discount Bond Series A, 6.6875% due 7/28/24 -
     EURO+ ..................................................   USD        11,344,000      6,444,810         1.3
  Costa Rica (0.1%)
    Banco Central de Costa Rica, Principal Bond Series A,
     6.25% due 5/21/10 ......................................   USD           900,000        735,750         0.1
  Ecuador (2.9%)
    Ecuador:
      Past Due Interest Bond, 3% due 2/27/15 - Bearer
       (Effective rate at year end is 5.1525%, including
       "payment-in-kind" bonds).[.] + .......................   USD        17,527,297     10,779,287         2.1
      Discount Bond, 6.5% due 2/28/25 - EURO+ ...............   USD         4,650,000      3,208,500         0.6
      Past Due Interest Bond, 3% due 2/27/15 - Registered
       (Effective rate at year end is 5.1525%, including
       "payment-in-kind" bonds.)[.] + .......................   USD         1,321,738        812,869         0.2
  Kazakhstan (0.2%)
    Republic of Kazakhstan, 9.25% due 12/20/99 - 144A{.} ....   USD           820,000        826,663         0.2
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                       F4
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                               December 31, 1996
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           PRINCIPAL       VALUE         % OF NET
FIXED INCOME INVESTMENTS                                       CURRENCY     AMOUNT        (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -----------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                            <C>        <C>           <C>            <C>
Government & Government Agency Obligations (Continued)
  Mexico (3.0%)
    United Mexican States:
      Global Bond, 11.5% due 5/15/26 ........................   USD         2,926,000   $  3,094,245         0.6
      11.375% due 9/15/16 - 144A{.} .........................   USD         2,380,000      2,487,100         0.5
      7.5625% due 8/6/01 - 144A+ {.} ........................   USD         2,109,000      2,113,956         0.4
      Discount Bond Series C, 6.375% due 12/31/19+ +/+ ......   USD         2,331,000      2,010,488         0.4
    Banco Nacional de Comercio Exterior, S.N.C. (BNCE) Trust
     Division, 11.25% due 5/30/06 - 144A{.} .................   USD         4,394,000      4,679,610         0.9
    Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), 6.5% due 3/8/99+ ...........   USD         1,000,000        986,250         0.2
  Nigeria (2.5%)
    Central Bank of Nigeria, Par Bond, 6.25% due
     11/15/20+/+ ............................................   USD        18,000,000     12,420,000         2.5
  Panama (1.6%)
    Panama, Interest Reduction Bond, 3.5% due 7/17/14 -
     144A++ {.} .............................................   USD        11,525,000      7,981,063         1.6
  Philippines (0.6%)
    Republic of Philippines, 8.75% due 10/7/16 - 144A{.} ....   USD         3,127,000      3,254,034         0.6
  Poland (1.3%)
    Poland, Past Due Interest Bond, 4% due 10/27/14 -
     EURO++ .................................................   USD         7,500,000      6,337,500         1.3
  Venezuela (4.2%)
    Republic of Venezuela:
      Debt Conversion Bond, 6.5% due 12/18/07+ ..............   USD         9,500,000      8,383,750         1.7
      Front Loaded Interest Reduction Bond Series A, 6.625%
       due 3/31/07+ .........................................   USD         6,750,000      6,024,375         1.2
      Par Bond Series A, 6.75% due 3/31/20+/+ ...............   USD         5,500,000      4,207,500         0.8
      Front Loaded Interest Reduction Bond Series B, 6.4375%
       due 3/31/07+ .........................................   USD         2,750,000      2,454,375         0.5
                                                                                        ------------
Total Government & Government Agency Obligations (cost
 $113,935,636) ..............................................                            132,125,079
                                                                                        ------------
Sovereign Debt (6.1%)
  Morocco (2.0%)
    Kingdom of Morocco, Tranche A Loan Agreement, 6.375% due
     1/1/09+ ................................................   USD        12,250,000     10,106,250         2.0
  Russia (4.1%)
    Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs (Vnesheconombank)
     Loan Agreement - Assignment ** -/- {j} .................   USD        22,635,000     18,023,119         3.6
    Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs (Vnesheconombank)
     Loan Agreement - Assignment ** -/- .....................   DEM         4,186,000      2,299,850         0.5
                                                                                        ------------
Total Sovereign Debt (cost $22,218,547) .....................                             30,429,219
                                                                                        ------------
Corporate Bonds (4.9%)
  Argentina (0.8%)
    Banco de Credito Argentina, 8.5% due 12/18/98 -
     144A{.} ................................................   USD         3,000,000      2,996,250         0.6
    Central Termica Guemes S.A., 12% due 11/26/01 -
     144A{.} ................................................   USD         1,020,000      1,037,850         0.2
  Brazil (0.4%)
    Tevecap S.A., 12.625% due 11/26/04 - 144A{.} ............   USD           840,000        858,900         0.2
    TV Filme, Inc., 12.875% due 12/15/04 - 144A{.} ..........   USD           844,000        848,748         0.2
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                       F5
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                               December 31, 1996
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           PRINCIPAL       VALUE         % OF NET
FIXED INCOME INVESTMENTS                                       CURRENCY     AMOUNT        (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -----------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                            <C>        <C>           <C>            <C>
Corporate Bonds (Continued)
  China (0.3%)
    AES China Generating Co., Ltd., 10.125% due 12/15/06 ....   USD         1,385,000   $  1,433,475         0.3
  Colombia (0.4%)
    Celcaribe S.A. Units, 13.5% due 3/15/04 - 144A++ {.} {F}
     -/- ....................................................   USD               200      2,120,000         0.4
  India (0.4%)
    Reliance Industries Ltd., Convertible Bond, 3.5% due
     11/03/99 ...............................................   USD         1,690,000      1,795,625         0.4
  Indonesia (1.4%)
    PT Tjiwi Kimia, 13.25% due 8/1/01 .......................   USD         2,000,000      2,270,000         0.4
    PT Polysindo International Finance, 13% due 6/15/01:
      EURO ..................................................   USD         1,380,000      1,549,050         0.3
      DTC ...................................................   USD           280,000        314,300         0.1
    Tri Polyta Finance BV, 11.375% due 12/1/03 ..............   USD         1,537,000      1,610,008         0.3
    FSW International Finance Co., 12.5% due 11/1/06 -
     144A{.} ................................................   USD         1,350,000      1,436,063         0.3
  Luxembourg (0.2%)
    Millicom International Cellular, effective yield 13.5%,
     due 6/1/06 - 144A{.} ...................................   USD         1,500,000        937,500         0.2
  Mexico (0.4%)
    Grupo Industrial Durango, S.A., 12.625% due 8/1/03 ......   USD         1,933,000      2,104,554         0.4
  Philippines (0.1%)
    CE Casecnan Water & Energy Series B, 11.95% due 11/15/10
     - Reg. S{c} ............................................   USD           365,000        420,663         0.1
    Filinvest Capital, Convertible Bond, 3.75% due 2/1/02 -
     144A{.} ................................................   USD           137,000        132,205          --
  Poland (0.2%)
    Poland Communications, Inc., 9.875% due 11/01/03 -
     144A{.} ................................................   USD           866,000        866,000         0.2
  Turkey (0.3%)
    Sultan Ltd., 8.33984% due 6/11/99+ ......................   USD         1,700,000      1,636,250         0.3
                                                                                        ------------
Total Corporate Bonds (cost $24,039,360) ....................                             24,367,441
                                                                                        ------------       -----
 
TOTAL FIXED INCOME INVESTMENTS (cost $160,193,543) ..........                            186,921,739        37.1
                                                                                        ------------       -----
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                          UNDERLYING
                                                                            NOMINAL        VALUE         % OF NET
OPTIONS                                                        CURRENCY     AMOUNT        (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -----------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                            <C>        <C>           <C>            <C>
  Brazil C Bond, due 4/15/14, Call Options, strike price
   $74.1875, expire 3/3/97-/- ...............................   USD        48,575,486        754,183         0.2
    GOVERNMENT & GOVERNMENT AGENCY OBLIGATIONS
  Venezuela Debt Conversion Bond, due 12/18/07, Call Options,
   strike price $87.188, expire 3/5/97-/- ...................   USD        11,250,000        222,255          --
    GOVERNMENT & GOVERNMENT AGENCY OBLIGATIONS
                                                                                        ------------       -----
 
TOTAL OPTIONS (cost $1,389,128) .............................                                976,438         0.2
                                                                                        ------------       -----
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                       F6
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                               December 31, 1996
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           PRINCIPAL       VALUE         % OF NET
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS                                         CURRENCY     AMOUNT        (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -----------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                            <C>        <C>           <C>            <C>
Treasury Bills (1.4%)
  Mexico (1.4%)
    Mexican Cetes: ..........................................   MXN                --             --         1.4
      Current yield 22.53%, due 1/16/97 .....................   --         27,865,770   $  3,509,167          --
      Current yield 23.64%, due 1/23/97 .....................   --         20,438,200      2,560,971          --
      Current yield 24.21%, due 1/30/97 .....................   --          5,558,850        693,086          --
      Current yield 24.96%, due 2/20/97 .....................   --          1,454,930        178,745          --
      Current yield 24.56%, due 2/6/97 ......................   --            606,220         75,212          --
                                                                                        ------------
Total Treasury Bills (cost $6,887,783) ......................                              7,017,181
                                                                                        ------------
Structured Notes (1.3%)
  Russia (1.3%)
    Russian Federation GKO (Treasury Bills) Linked Notes with
     cancellable currency forwards attached: ................   USD                --             --         1.3
      Due 7/2/97 ............................................   --          4,761,328      4,025,560          --
      Due 7/30/97 ...........................................   --          3,238,274      2,674,944          --
      (Notes issued by Credit Suisse First Boston (Cayman)
       Ltd. These notes are linked to the local price in
       Russian rubles of 26,330 and 17,896 Titles of Russian
       treasury bills maturing 7/2/97 and 7/30/97,
       respectively. These 7/2/97 and 7/30/97 notes include
       options to sell the Russian ruble proceeds at maturity
       for US dollars at the contracted forward rates of
       6,333.41 and 6,399.46, respectively.)
                                                                                        ------------
Total Structured Notes (cost $6,667,343) ....................                              6,700,504
                                                                                        ------------
Commercial Paper - Indexed (0.5%)
  Philippines (0.5%)
    National Westminster Bank PLC, Currency-Linked CD,
     12.3798% due 2/28/97 (cost $2,500,000) .................   USD         2,500,000      2,445,750         0.5
                                                                                        ------------
Commercial Paper - Discounted (0.2%)
  Thailand (0.2%)
    Phatra Thanakit Co., Ltd., current yield 10.41%, due
     5/9/97
     (cost $947,326) ........................................   THB        25,000,000        941,068         0.2
                                                                                        ------------       -----
 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (cost $17,002,452) .............                             17,104,503         3.4
                                                                                        ------------       -----
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                       F7
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                               December 31, 1996
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           VALUE         % OF NET
REPURCHASE AGREEMENT                                                                      (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -------------------------------------------------------------                           ------------   -------------
<S>                                                            <C>        <C>           <C>            <C>
  Dated December 31, 1996, with State Street Bank & Trust
   Co., due
   January 2, 1997, for an effective yield of 6.25%,
   collateralized by $2,210,000 U.S. Treasury Bonds, 8.125%
   due 8/15/19 (market value of collateral is $2,651,106,
   including accrued interest). (cost $2,598,452) ...........                           $  2,598,452         0.5
                                                                                        ------------       -----
 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (cost $433,724,980)  * ....................                            494,243,078        98.1
Other Assets and Liabilities ................................                              9,769,301         1.9
                                                                                        ------------       -----
 
NET ASSETS ..................................................                           $504,012,379       100.0
                                                                                        ------------       -----
                                                                                        ------------       -----
</TABLE>
 
- --------------
 
       {\/}  U.S. currency denominated.
        {.}  Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities
             Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt
             from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers.
       {/\}  Security is denominated in CAD.
        -/-  Non-income producing security.
        {c}  Security issued under Regulation S. Rule 144A and additional
             restrictions may apply in the resale of such securities.
          +  The coupon rate shown on floating rate note represents the rate at
             period end.
         **  Underlying loan agreement currently in default.
        {j}  All or part of the Fund's holdings in this security is segregated
             as collateral for when-issued securities. See Note 1 to the
             Financial Statements.
         ++  The coupon rate shown on step-up coupon bond represents the rate at
             period end.
        {F}  The principal amount should be read as units.
        [.]  Bond pays stated or additional interest with "payment-in-kind"
             (PIK) bonds.
        +/+  Issued with detachable warrants or value recovery rights. The
             current market value of each warrant or right is zero.
          *  For Federal income tax purposes, cost is $434,696,083 and
             appreciation (depreciation) is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
                 <S>                              <C>
                 Unrealized appreciation:         $  75,166,464
                 Unrealized depreciation:           (15,619,469)
                                                  -------------
                 Net unrealized appreciation:     $  59,546,995
                                                  -------------
                                                  -------------
</TABLE>
 
    Abbreviations:
    ADR--American Depository Receipt
    GDR--Global Depository Receipt
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                       F8
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                               December 31, 1996
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund's Portfolio of Investments at December 31, 1996, was concentrated in
the following countries:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               PERCENTAGE OF NET ASSETS {D}
                                        -------------------------------------------
                                                 FIXED INCOME,
                                                   RIGHTS &      SHORT-TERM
COUNTRY (COUNTRY CODE/CURRENCY CODE)    EQUITY     WARRANTS       & OTHER     TOTAL
- --------------------------------------  ------   -------------   ----------   -----
<S>                                     <C>      <C>             <C>          <C>
Argentina (ARG/ARS) ..................                5.2                       5.2
Brazil (BRZL/BRL) ....................    7.7         4.4            0.2       12.3
Bulgaria (BUL/LEV) ...................                1.3                       1.3
Chile (CHLE/CLP) .....................    1.3                                   1.3
China (CHNA/RMB) .....................                0.3                       0.3
Colombia (COL/COP) ...................    5.1         0.4                       5.5
Costa Rica (CR/CRI) ..................                0.1                       0.1
Czech Republic (CZCH/CSK) ............    2.5                                   2.5
Ecuador (ECDR/ECS) ...................                2.9                       2.9
Hong Kong (HK/HKD) ...................   11.5                                  11.5
India (IND/INR) ......................    3.8         0.4                       4.2
Indonesia (INDO/IDR) .................                1.4                       1.4
Kazakhstan (KAZ/KTS) .................                0.2                       0.2
Luxembourg (LUX/LUF) .................                0.2                       0.2
Malaysia (MAL/MYR) ...................    0.9                                   0.9
Mexico (MEX/MXN) .....................    3.7         3.4            1.4        8.5
Morocco (MOR/MAD) ....................                2.0                       2.0
Nigeria (NGE/NEN) ....................                2.5                       2.5
Panama (PAN/PND) .....................    2.8         1.6                       4.4
Philippines (PHIL/PHP) ...............    1.6         0.7            0.5        2.8
Poland (POL/PLZ) .....................    0.8         1.5                       2.3
Portugal (PORT/PTE) ..................    3.3                                   3.3
Russia (RUS/SUR) .....................    2.6         4.1            1.3        8.0
South Africa (SAFR/ZAR) ..............    3.4                                   3.4
Thailand (THAI/THB) ..................    0.7                        0.2        0.9
Turkey (TRKY/TRL) ....................                0.3                       0.3
United States & Other (US/USD) .......    3.0                        2.4        5.4
Uruguay (URGY/UYP) ...................    0.1                                   0.1
Venezuela (VENZ/VEB) .................    2.1         4.2                       6.3
                                        ------      -----          -----      -----
Total  ...............................   56.9        37.1            6.0      100.0
                                        ------      -----          -----      -----
                                        ------      -----          -----      -----
</TABLE>
 
- --------------
 
{d}  Percentages indicated are based on net assets of $504,012,379.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                 FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS OUTSTANDING
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           MARKET VALUE     CONTRACT    DELIVERY    UNREALIZED
CONTRACTS TO SELL:                        (U.S. DOLLARS)      PRICE       DATE     APPRECIATION
- ----------------------------------------  --------------   -----------  --------  --------------
<S>                                       <C>              <C>          <C>       <C>
Deutsche Marks..........................     3,038,782         1.48850  02/13/97   $    91,886
                                                                                  --------------
THE VALUE OF CONTRACTS TO SELL AS A
 PERCENTAGE OF NET ASSETS IS 0.60%.
  Total Open Forward Foreign Currency
   Contracts (Receivable amount
   $3,130,668)..........................                                           $    91,886
                                                                                  --------------
                                                                                  --------------
</TABLE>
 
- ----------------
See Note 1 to the financial statements.
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                       F9
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                              STATEMENT OF ASSETS
                                 AND LIABILITIES
                               December 31, 1996
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>       <C>
Assets:
  Investments in securities, at value (cost $433,724,980) (Note 1)....  $ 494,243,078
  U.S. currency.............................................  $134,479
  Foreign currencies (cost $4,165)..........................     4,060        138,539
                                                              --------
  Segregated cash (Note 1)............................................      4,000,000
  Receivable for securities sold......................................      8,220,070
  Interest receivable.................................................      2,831,350
  Dividends and dividend withholding tax reclaims receivable..........        269,354
  Unamortized organizational costs (Note 1)...........................        144,242
  Receivable for open forward foreign currency contracts, net (Note
   1).................................................................         91,886
  Miscellaneous receivable............................................          2,700
  Cash held as collateral for securities loaned (Note 1)..............     21,260,009
                                                                        -------------
    Total assets......................................................    531,201,228
                                                                        -------------
Liabilities:
  Payable for securities purchased....................................      4,954,775
  Payable for investment management and administration fees (Note
   2).................................................................        682,328
  Payable for professional fees.......................................         43,323
  Payable for custodian fees..........................................         39,778
  Payable for printing and postage expenses...........................         36,934
  Payable for Directors' fees and expenses (Note 2)...................         12,149
  Payable for fund accounting fees (Note 2)...........................          9,825
  Payable for registration and filing fees............................          2,127
  Payable for transfer agent fees (Note 2)............................          1,664
  Other accrued expenses..............................................        145,937
  Collateral for securities loaned (Note 1)...........................     21,260,009
                                                                        -------------
    Total liabilities.................................................     27,188,849
                                                                        -------------
Net assets............................................................  $ 504,012,379
                                                                        -------------
                                                                        -------------
Net asset value per share ($504,012,380 DIVIDED BY 36,416,667 shares
 outstanding).........................................................  $       13.84
                                                                        -------------
                                                                        -------------
Net assets consist of:
  Paid in capital (Note 4)............................................  $ 545,109,494
  Undistributed net investment income.................................        363,782
  Accumulated net realized loss on investments and foreign currency
   transactions.......................................................   (102,069,253)
  Net unrealized appreciation on translation of assets and liabilities
   in foreign currencies..............................................         90,258
  Net unrealized appreciation of investments..........................     60,518,098
                                                                        -------------
Total -- representing net assets applicable to capital shares
 outstanding..........................................................  $ 504,012,379
                                                                        -------------
                                                                        -------------
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                      F10
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                            STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
                          Year ended December 31, 1996
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
Investment income: (Note 1)
  Interest income........................................................  $20,641,051
  Dividend income (net of foreign withholding tax of $420,409)...........    7,351,830
  Other income...........................................................       74,487
                                                                           -----------
    Total investment income..............................................   28,067,368
                                                                           -----------
Expenses:
  Investment management fees (Note 2)....................................    6,673,159
  Administration fees (Note 2)...........................................    1,191,681
  Custodian fees (Note 1)................................................      332,166
  Transfer agent fees (Note 2)...........................................      190,834
  Fund accounting fees (Note 2)..........................................      119,321
  Professional fees......................................................      101,382
  Amortization of organization costs (Note 1)............................       70,949
  Printing and postage expenses..........................................       65,880
  Directors' fees and expenses (Note 2)..................................       38,064
  Registration and filing fees...........................................        3,000
  Other expenses.........................................................       37,139
                                                                           -----------
    Total expenses before reductions.....................................    8,823,575
                                                                           -----------
      Expense reductions (Notes 1 & 5)...................................     (162,760)
                                                                           -----------
    Total net expenses...................................................    8,660,815
                                                                           -----------
Net investment income....................................................   19,406,553
                                                                           -----------
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments and foreign
  currencies: (Note 1)
  Net realized gain on investments..........................  $ 1,845,666
  Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions........     (900,512)
                                                              -----------
    Net realized gain during the year....................................      945,154
  Net change in unrealized appreciation on translation of
   assets and liabilities in foreign currencies.............       91,835
  Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments......   78,628,364
                                                              -----------
    Net unrealized appreciation during the year..........................   78,720,199
                                                                           -----------
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments and foreign currencies...   79,665,353
                                                                           -----------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations.....................  $99,071,906
                                                                           -----------
                                                                           -----------
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                      F11
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 YEAR ENDED          YEAR ENDED
                                                              DECEMBER 31, 1996   DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                                              -----------------   -----------------
<S>                                                           <C>                 <C>
Increase (Decrease) in net assets
Operations:
  Net investment income.....................................    $ 19,406,553        $ 26,375,900
  Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign
   currency transactions....................................         945,154         (78,379,558)
  Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on
   translation of assets and liabilities in foreign
   currencies...............................................          91,835              (3,021)
  Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments......      78,628,364          47,401,359
                                                              -----------------   -----------------
    Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from
     operations.............................................      99,071,906          (4,605,320)
                                                              -----------------   -----------------
Distributions to shareholders: (Note 1)
  From net investment income................................     (17,407,047)        (26,292,834)
Capital share transactions: (Note 4)
  Adjustment to estimate of initial offering expenses.......              --             373,757
                                                              -----------------   -----------------
    Total increase (decrease) in net assets.................      81,664,859         (30,524,397)
Net assets:
  Beginning of year.........................................     422,347,520         452,871,917
                                                              -----------------   -----------------
  End of year*..............................................    $504,012,379        $422,347,520
                                                              -----------------   -----------------
                                                              -----------------   -----------------
  --------------
  *Includes undistributed/accumulated net investment
   income/(loss) of.........................................    $    363,782        $     (7,034)
                                                              -----------------   -----------------
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                      F12
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contained below is per share operating performance data for a share outstanding,
total investment return, ratios and supplemental data. This information has been
derived from information provided in the financial statements and market price
data for the shares.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  JANUARY 11, 1994
                                                                   (COMMENCEMENT
                                                YEAR ENDED         OF OPERATIONS)
                                               DECEMBER 31,              TO
                                          ----------------------    DECEMBER 31,
                                             1996        1995           1994
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------------
<S>                                       <C>         <C>         <C>
Per Share Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period....  $   11.60   $   12.44      $   15.00
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------------
Income from investment operations:
  Net investment income.................       0.53        0.72           0.35
  Net realized and unrealized gain
   (loss) on investments................       2.19       (0.84)         (2.46)
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------------
    Net increase (decrease) from
     investment operations..............       2.72       (0.12)         (2.11)
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------------
Distributions to shareholders:
  From net investment income............      (0.48)      (0.72)         (0.35)
  From net realized gain on
   investments..........................         --          --          (0.10)
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------------
    Total distributions.................      (0.48)      (0.72)         (0.45)
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------------
Net asset value, end of period..........  $   13.84   $   11.60      $   12.44
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------------
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------------
Market value, end of period.............  $   11.63   $    9.75      $    9.75
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------------
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------------
 
Total investment return (based on market
 value).................................      24.18%       6.60%        (32.16)%+
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period (in 000's)....  $ 504,012   $ 422,348      $ 452,872
Ratio of net investment income to
 average net assets.....................       4.07%       6.33%          2.75 %++
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
  With expense reductions (Notes 1 &
   5)...................................       1.82%       1.77%          2.01 %++
  Without expense reductions............       1.85%       1.80%          2.01 %++
Portfolio turnover rate.................        138%         75%            56 %
Average commission rate per share paid
 on portfolio transactions..............  $  0.0022         N/A            N/A
</TABLE>
 
- ----------------
 
  +  Not annualized
 ++  Annualized
N/A  Not Applicable
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                      F13
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                               December 31, 1996
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
G.T. Global Developing Markets Fund, Inc. ("Fund") is organized as a Maryland
corporation and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended ("1940 Act") as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment
company. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies
consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of the financial
statements. The policies are in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles, and the financial statements may include certain estimates made by
management.
 
(A) PORTFOLIO VALUATION
Equity securities are valued at the last sale price on the exchange on which
such securities are traded or on the principal over-the-counter market on which
such securities are traded, as of the close of business on the day the
securities are being valued, or, lacking any sales, at the last available bid
price. In cases where securities are traded on more than one exchange, the
securities are valued on the exchange determined by Chancellor LGT Asset
Management, Inc. (the "Manager") to be the primary market.
 
Fixed income investments are valued at the mean of representative quoted bid and
asked prices for securities or, if such prices are not available, at prices for
securities of comparative maturity, quality and type; however, when the Manager
deems it appropriate, prices obtained for the day of valuation from a bond
pricing service will be used. Short-term investments with a maturity of 60 days
or less are valued at amortized cost, adjusted for foreign exchange translation
and market fluctuation, if any.
 
Investments for which market quotations are not readily available (including
restricted securities which are subject to limitations on their sale) are valued
at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of the
Fund's Board of Directors.
 
Portfolio securities which are primarily traded on foreign exchanges are
generally valued at the preceding closing values of such securities on their
respective exchanges, and those values are then translated into U.S. dollars at
the current exchange rates, except that when an occurrence subsequent to the
time a value was so established is likely to have materially changed such value,
then the fair value of those securities will be determined by consideration of
other factors by or under the direction of the Fund's Board of Directors.
 
(B) FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION
The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. The market
values of foreign securities, currency holdings, other assets and liabilities
are recorded in the books and records of the Fund after translation to U.S.
dollars based on the exchange rates on that day. The cost of each security is
determined using historical exchange rates. Income and withholding taxes are
translated at prevailing exchange rates when earned or incurred.
 
The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting
from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations
existing from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are
included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments.
 
Reported net realized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from sales and
maturities of short-term investments, forward foreign currency contracts, sales
of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and
settlement dates on securities transactions, and the differences between the
amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the
Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or
paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the
value of assets and liabilities other than investments in securities at year
end, resulting from changes in exchange rates.
 
(C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
With respect to repurchase agreements entered into by the Fund, it is the Fund's
policy to always receive, as collateral, United States government securities or
other high quality debt securities of which the value, including accrued
interest, is at least equal to the amount to be repaid to the Fund under each
agreement at its maturity.
 
(D) FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS
A forward foreign currency contract ("Forward Contract") is an agreement between
two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set price on a future date. The
market value of the Forward Contract fluctuates with changes in currency
exchange rates. The Forward Contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in
market value is recorded by the Fund as an unrealized gain or loss. When the
Forward Contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to
the difference between the value at the time it was opened and the value at the
time it was closed. The Fund could be exposed to risk if a counterparty is
unable to meet the terms of a contract or if the value of the currency changes
unfavorably. The Fund may enter into Forward Contracts in connection with
planned purchases or sales of securities or to hedge against adverse
fluctuations in exchange rates between currencies.
 
(E) OPTION ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES
When the Fund writes a call or put option, an amount equal to the premium
received is included in the Fund's "Statement of Assets and Liabilities" as an
asset and an equivalent liability. The amount of the liability is subsequently
marked-to-market to reflect the current market value of the option. The current
market value of an option listed on a traded exchange is valued at its last bid
price, or, in the case of an over-the-counter option, is valued at the average
of the last bid prices obtained from brokers, unless a quotation from only one
broker is available, in which case only that broker's price will be used. If an
option expires on its stipulated expiration date or if the Fund enters into a
closing purchase transaction, a gain or loss is
 
                                      F14
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
realized without regard to any unrealized gain or loss on the underlying
security, and the liability related to such option is extinguished. If a written
call option is exercised, a gain or loss is realized from the sale of the
underlying security and the proceeds of the sale are increased by the premium
originally received. If a written put option is exercised, the cost of the
underlying security purchased would be decreased by the premium originally
received. The Fund can write options only on a covered basis, which, for a call,
requires that the Fund hold the underlying security, and, for a put, requires
the Fund to set aside cash, U.S. government securities or other liquid
securities in an amount not less than the exercise price or otherwise provide
adequate cover at all times while the put option is outstanding. The Fund may
use options to manage its exposure to the stock and bond markets and to
fluctuations in currency values or interest rates.
 
The premium paid by the Fund for the purchase of a call or put option is
included in the Fund's "Statement of Assets and Liabilities" as an investment
and subsequently "marked-to-market" to reflect the current market value of the
option. If an option which the Fund has purchased expires on the stipulated
expiration date, the Fund realizes a loss in the amount of the cost of the
option. If the Fund enters into a closing sale transaction, the Fund realizes a
gain or loss, depending on whether proceeds from the closing sale transaction
are greater or less than the cost of the option. If the Fund exercises a call
option, the cost of the securities acquired by exercising the call is increased
by the premium paid to buy the call. If the Fund exercises a put option, it
realizes a gain or loss from the sale of the underlying security, and the
proceeds from such sale are decreased by the premium originally paid.
 
The risk associated with purchasing options is limited to the premium originally
paid. The risk in writing a call option is that the Fund may forego the
opportunity of profit if the market value of the underlying security or index
increases and the option is exercised. The risk in writing a put option is that
the Fund may incur a loss if the market value of the underlying security or
index decreases and the option is exercised. In addition, there is the risk the
Fund may not be able to enter into a closing transaction because of an illiquid
secondary market.
 
(F) FUTURES CONTRACTS
A futures contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a
security at a set price on a future date. Upon entering into such a contract the
Fund is required to pledge to the broker an amount of cash or securities equal
to the minimum "initial margin" requirements of the exchange on which the
contract is traded. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or
pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in value of
the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as "variation margin" and are
recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses. When the contract is closed,
the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the
value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was
closed. The potential risk to the Fund is that the change in value of the
underlying securities may not correlate to the change in value of the contracts.
The Fund may use futures contracts to manage its exposure to the stock and bond
markets and to fluctuations in currency values or interest rates.
 
(G) SECURITY TRANSACTIONS AND RELATED INVESTMENT INCOME
Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy
or sell is executed). The cost of securities sold is determined on a first-in,
first-out basis, unless otherwise specified. Dividends are recorded on the
ex-dividend date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Where a high
level of uncertainty exists as to collection of income on securities, income is
recorded net of all withholding tax with any rebate recorded when received. The
Fund may trade securities on other than normal settlement terms. This may
increase the market risk if the other party to the transaction fails to deliver
and causes the Fund to subsequently invest at less advantageous prices.
 
(H) PORTFOLIO SECURITIES LOANED
At December 31, 1996, stocks with an aggregate value of approximately
$19,925,944 were on loan to brokers. The loans were secured by cash collateral
of $21,260,009 received by the Fund. For international securities, cash
collateral is received by the Fund against loaned securities in an amount at
least equal to 105% of the market value of the loaned securities at the
inception of each loan. This collateral must be maintained at not less than 103%
of the market value of the loaned securities during the period of the loan. For
domestic securities, cash collateral is received by the Fund against loaned
securities in an amount at least equal to 102% of the market value of the loaned
securities at the inception of each loan. This collateral must be maintained at
not less than 100% of the market value of the loaned securities during the
period of each loan. For the year ended December 31, 1996, the Fund received
securities lending income of $96,761 which was used to reduce the Fund's
custodian fees.
 
(I) TAXES
It is the policy of the Fund to meet the requirements for qualification as a
"regulated investment company" under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended ("Code"). It is also the intention of the Fund to make distributions
sufficient to avoid imposition of any excise tax under Section 4982 of the Code.
Therefore, no provision has been made for Federal taxes on income, capital
gains, and unrealized appreciation of securities held, or excise tax on income
and capital gains. The Fund currently has a capital loss carryforward of
$96,686,329 of which $18,650,929 expires in 2002 and $78,035,400 expires in
2003.
 
(J) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
Distributions to shareholders are recorded by the Fund on the ex-date. Income
and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with Federal income
tax regulations which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles.
These differences are primarily due to differing treatments of income and gains
on various investment securities held by the Fund and timing differences.
 
                                      F15
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
(K) DEFERRED ORGANIZATIONAL EXPENSES
Expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with its organization, its
registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission and with various states
aggregated $353,775. These expenses are being amortized on a straightline basis
over a five-period period.
 
(L) FOREIGN SECURITIES
There are certain additional considerations and risks associated with investing
in foreign securities and currency transactions that are not inherent in
investments of domestic origin. The Fund's investments in emerging market
countries may involve greater risks than investments in more developed markets
and the prices of such investments may be volatile. These risks of investing in
foreign and emerging markets may include foreign currency exchange rate
fluctuations, perceived credit risk, adverse political and economic developments
and possible adverse foreign government intervention.
 
(M) INDEXED SECURITIES
The Fund may invest in indexed securities whose value is linked either directly
or indirectly to changes in foreign currencies, interest rates, equities,
indices, or other reference instruments. Indexed securities may be more volatile
than the reference instrument itself, but any loss is limited to the amount of
the original investment.
 
(N) RESTRICTED SECURITIES
The Fund is permitted to invest in privately placed restricted securities. These
securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration or to the
public if the securities are registered. Disposal of these securities may
involve time-consuming negotiations and expense, and prompt sale at an
acceptable price may be difficult.
 
(O) SECURITIES PURCHASED ON A WHEN-ISSUED OR FORWARD COMMITMENT BASIS
The Fund may trade securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis, with
payment and delivery scheduled for a future date. These transactions are subject
to market fluctuations and are subject to the risk that the value at delivery
may be more or less than the trade date purchase price. Although the Fund will
generally purchase these securities with the intention of acquiring such
securities, they may sell such securities before the settlement date. These
securities are identified on the accompanying Portfolio of Investments. The Fund
has purchased and sold when-issued securities during the year and has set aside
sufficient cash and liquid securities as collateral for these commitments.
 
(P) LINE OF CREDIT
The Fund, along with certain other funds advised by the Manager, has a line of
credit with the Bank of Boston. The arrangement with the bank allows all
specified funds to borrow an aggregate maximum amount of $100,000,000.
 
2. RELATED PARTIES
Chancellor LGT Asset Management, Inc. is the Fund's investment manager and
administrator. On October 31, 1996, Chancellor Capital Management, Inc. merged
with LGT Asset Management, Inc., and the surviving entity was renamed Chancellor
LGT Asset Management, Inc. The Fund pays the Manager investment management fees,
which are computed weekly and paid monthly, at the annualized rate of 1.40% of
the Fund's average weekly net assets. The Manager also acts as administrator of
the Fund. The Fund pays the Manager administration fees, which are computed and
paid monthly, at an annualized rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average weekly net
assets.
 
The Manager is the pricing and accounting agent for the fund. The monthly fee
for these services to the Manager is a percentage, not to exceed 0.03% annually,
of the Fund's average daily net assets. The annual fee rate is derived by
applying 0.03% to the first $5 billion of assets of all registered mutual funds
advised by the Manager and 0.02% to the assets in excess of $5 billion and
allocating the result according to the Fund's average daily net assets.
 
The Fund pays each of its Directors who is not an employee, officer or director
of the Manager or any of its affiliated companies $5,000 per period plus $300
for each meeting of the board attended by the Director.
 
3. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES
For the year ended December 31, 1996, purchases and sales of investment
securities by the Fund, other than U.S. government obligations and short-term
investments, aggregated $618,009,486 and $638,476,610, respectively. There were
no purchases or sales of U.S. government obligations by the Fund for the year.
 
4. CAPITAL SHARES
At December 31, 1996, the Fund is authorized to issue 100 million shares of
capital stock, $0.001 par value, all of which is classified as Common Stock.
 
5. EXPENSE REDUCTIONS
The Manager has directed certain portfolio trades to brokers who paid a portion
of the Fund's expenses. For the year ended December 31, 1996, the Fund's
expenses were reduced by $65,999 under these arrangements.
 
6. WRITTEN OPTIONS
The Fund's written options contract activity for the year ended December 31,
1996, was as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            UNDERLYING NOMINAL
                                               AMOUNT IN USD         PREMIUMS
                                          -----------------------  -------------
<S>                                       <C>                      <C>
Options outstanding at December 31,
 1995...................................     $               0     $           0
Options written during the year ended
 December 31, 1996......................            10,390,000           235,750
Options cancelled in closing purchase
 transactions (loss of $309,650
 realized)..............................            (7,390,000)         (172,750)
Options expired prior to exercise (gain
 of $63,000 realized)...................            (3,000,000)          (63,000)
Options exercised.......................                     0                 0
                                          -----------------------  -------------
Options outstanding at December 31,
 1996...................................     $               0     $           0
                                          -----------------------  -------------
                                          -----------------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F16
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
PROXY RESULTS (UNAUDITED)
During the year ended December 31, 1996, G.T. Global Developing Markets Fund,
Inc. stockholders voted on the following proposals. The proposals were approved
at the second annual meeting of the stockholders on July 16, 1996. The
description of the proposals and number of shares voted are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                  SHARES VOTED
                                                                                                 SHARES VOTED       WITHHELD
                                                                                                      FOR           AUTHORITY
                                                                                                ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                    <C>                     <C>              <C>              <C>
1. To elect the Fund's Board of Directors:             C. Derek Anderson......................      32,386,034        2,536,607
                                                       Frank S. Bayley........................      32,417,943        2,504,698
                                                       David A. Minella.......................      32,461,231        2,461,409
                                                       Arthur C. Patterson....................      32,378,462        2,541,779
                                                       Ruth H. Quigley........................      32,421,181        2,501,459
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                                SHARES VOTED     SHARES VOTED     SHARES VOTED
                                                                                     FOR            AGAINST          ABSTAIN
                                                                               ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                    <C>                     <C>              <C>              <C>
2. To elect Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. as the Fund's independent accountants:        33,391,569        1,238,086          292,986
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                                SHARES VOTED     SHARES VOTED     SHARES VOTED
                                                                                     FOR            AGAINST          ABSTAIN
                                                                               ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                    <C>                     <C>              <C>              <C>
3. To take all necessary legal and other action to convert the Fund from            8,997,665       10,004,687        1,178,792
 closed-end to open-end status:
</TABLE>
 
                                      F17
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of G.T. Global Developing Markets
Fund, Inc. ("Fund"):
 
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of G.T.
Global Developing Markets Fund, Inc., including the portfolio of investments, as
of June 30, 1997, the related statement of operations for the six months then
ended, the statements of changes in net assets for the six months then ended and
for the year ended December 31, 1996, and the financial highlights for each of
the periods indicated herein. These financial statements and the financial
highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on these financial statements and the financial
highlights based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and the financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of June
30, 1997, by correspondence with the custodians and brokers. An audit also
includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made
by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
 
In our opinion, the financial statements and the financial highlights referred
to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
G.T. Global Developing Markets Fund, Inc. as of June 30, 1997, the results of
its operations for the six months then ended, the changes in its net assets for
the six months then ended and for the year ended December 31, 1996, and the
financial highlights for the periods indicated herein, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                                        COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
 
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
AUGUST 15, 1997
 
                                       F1
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                            PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
 
                                 June 30, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           VALUE         % OF NET
EQUITY INVESTMENTS                                           COUNTRY       SHARES         (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
Finance (16.4%)
  Malayan Banking Bhd. ....................................   MAL             736,600   $  7,735,249         1.4
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  Banco LatinoAmericano de Exportaciones S.A. (Bladex)
   "E"{\/} ................................................   PAN             176,831      7,647,941         1.4
    OTHER FINANCIAL
  Rashid Hussain Bhd. .....................................   MAL           1,021,000      6,473,549         1.2
    SECURITIES BROKER
  Uniao Bancos Brasileiras "A" Preferred ..................   BRZL        142,972,483      5,244,759         0.9
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  Amalgamated Banks of South Africa-/- ....................   SAFR            672,136      4,823,730         0.9
    BANKS-REGIONAL
  Malaysian Resources Corp., Bhd. .........................   MAL           1,565,000      4,310,184         0.8
    REAL ESTATE
  China Resources Enterprise Ltd. .........................   HK              828,000      4,061,548         0.7
    REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST
  Turkiye Is Bankasi (Isbank) "C" .........................   TRKY          7,423,000      2,901,173         0.5
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  State Bank of India Ltd.: ...............................   IND                  --             --         0.5
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
    Common ................................................   --              216,000      2,055,776          --
    GDR{\/} ...............................................   --               27,640        732,460          --
  Kookmin Bank - GDR-/- {\/} ..............................   KOR             128,480      2,730,200         0.5
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  Administradora de Fondos de Pensiones Provida S.A. -
   ADR{\/} ................................................   CHLE            123,166      2,694,256         0.5
    INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
  Metroplex Bhd. ..........................................   MAL           2,512,000      2,608,060         0.5
    REAL ESTATE
  Thai Farmers Bank Ltd. - Foreign ........................   THAI            588,200      2,500,077         0.4
    BANKS-REGIONAL
  PSIL Bangkok Bank Co., Ltd. (Entitlement
   Certificates){\/} ......................................   THAI            500,000      2,461,000         0.4
    OTHER FINANCIAL
  Yapi ve Kredi Bankasi AS ................................   TRKY        102,500,000      2,348,383         0.4
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  PT Lippo Bank - Foreign .................................   INDO          2,057,500      2,115,899         0.4
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  Banco de A. Edwards - ADR{\/} ...........................   CHLE            100,934      2,106,997         0.4
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  Siam Commercial Bank PLC - Foreign ......................   THAI            493,800      2,022,519         0.4
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  Akbank T.A.S. ...........................................   TRKY         23,390,000      2,009,586         0.4
    BANKS-REGIONAL
  Malaysian Assurance Alliance Bhd. .......................   MAL             341,200      1,987,573         0.4
    INSURANCE - MULTI-LINE
  Bank Negara Indonesia - Foreign .........................   INDO          2,820,000      1,798,026         0.3
    BANKS-REGIONAL
  Global Menkul Degerler AS-/- ............................   TRKY         69,103,256      1,722,925         0.3
    SECURITIES BROKER
  Commercial International Bank: ..........................   EGPT                 --             --         0.3
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
    144A GDR{.} {\/} ......................................   --               58,000      1,209,300          --
    Common ................................................   --               23,940        500,996          --
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                       F2
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                                 June 30, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           VALUE         % OF NET
EQUITY INVESTMENTS                                           COUNTRY       SHARES         (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
Finance (Continued)
  Ayala Land, Inc. "B" ....................................   PHIL          1,723,800   $  1,586,419         0.3
    REAL ESTATE
  Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS ..............................   TRKY         41,290,000      1,558,113         0.3
    BANKS-REGIONAL
  Bank Hapoalim Ltd.-/- ...................................   ISRL            703,576      1,468,776         0.3
    BANKS-REGIONAL
  Korea Exchange Bank .....................................   KOR             219,900      1,451,936         0.3
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  Commercial Bank of Korea ................................   KOR             211,300      1,135,201         0.2
    BANKS-REGIONAL
  Aksigorta ...............................................   TRKY         15,080,000        955,202         0.2
    INSURANCE - MULTI-LINE
  Ergo Bank S.A. ..........................................   GREC             13,218        793,917         0.1
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  BPI-SGPS S.A. ...........................................   PORT             40,637        790,805         0.1
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  Banco Frances del Rio de la Plata S.A. - ADR{\/} ........   ARG              24,268        788,710         0.1
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  Alpha Credit Bank .......................................   GREC             11,465        780,026         0.1
    BANKS-REGIONAL
  Bank Leumi Le - Israel-/- ...............................   ISRL            406,668        618,340         0.1
    BANKS-REGIONAL
  Bank Slaski S.A. ........................................   POL               7,316        523,367         0.1
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  Banco de Colombia - 144A GDR{.} {\/} ....................   COL              77,200        453,550         0.1
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  PT Jaya Real Property - Foreign .........................   INDO            336,000        452,653         0.1
    REAL ESTATE
  Banco Ganadero S.A. - ADR{\/} ...........................   COL              16,800        436,800         0.1
    BANKS-REGIONAL
  Egyptian American Bank SAE-/- ...........................   EGPT              2,663        105,031          --
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  Phatra Thanakit Co., Ltd. - Foreign .....................   THAI             77,000         95,209          --
    INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                          90,796,221
                                                                                        ------------
Energy (12.1%)
  Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras) Preferred-/- .......   BRZL         23,852,040      6,625,173         1.2
    OIL
  LUKoil Holding - ADR{\/} ................................   RUS              78,379      6,113,562         1.1
    GAS PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION
  Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A.-Eletrobras "B" -
   ADR{\/} ................................................   BRZL            220,958      6,102,860         1.1
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
  Sasol Ltd. ..............................................   SAFR            429,556      5,635,229         1.0
    ENERGY SOURCES
  Surgutneftegaz - ADR{\/} ................................   RUS              90,368      4,789,504         0.9
    OIL
  Empresa Nacional de Electricidad S.A. - ADR{\/} .........   CHLE            202,653      4,572,358         0.8
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                       F3
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                                 June 30, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           VALUE         % OF NET
EQUITY INVESTMENTS                                           COUNTRY       SHARES         (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
Energy (Continued)
  Chilgener S.A. - ADR-/- {\/} ............................   CHLE            152,401   $  4,267,228         0.8
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
  Companhia Energetica de Minas Gerais (Cemig) -
   ADR{\/} ................................................   BRZL             82,874      4,216,629         0.8
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
  C.A. La Electricidad de Caracas .........................   VENZ          2,486,529      3,987,926         0.7
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
  Korea Electric Power Corp. - ADR{\/} ....................   KOR             190,870      3,566,883         0.6
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
  Light - Participacoes S.A.-/- ...........................   BRZL          7,485,850      2,983,214         0.5
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
  Light - Servicos de Electricidade S.A. ..................   BRZL          5,322,290      2,648,735         0.5
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
  Enersis S.A. ADR{\/} ....................................   CHLE             62,748      2,231,476         0.4
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
  Manila Electric Co. "B" .................................   PHIL            361,110      1,781,567         0.3
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
  PTT Exploration and Production Public Co., Ltd. -
   Foreign ................................................   THAI            112,200      1,630,108         0.3
    OIL
  Belle Corp.-/- ..........................................   PHIL          4,710,000      1,376,357         0.2
    OIL
  Bombay Suburban Electric Supply (BSES) Ltd.-/- ..........   IND             200,000      1,332,867         0.2
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
  Yukong Ltd. .............................................   KOR              53,680      1,302,619         0.2
    OIL
  YPF S.A. - ADR{\/} ......................................   ARG              37,760      1,161,120         0.2
    OIL
  Perez Companc S.A. "B"-/- ...............................   ARG             100,460        806,855         0.1
    OIL
  Guangdong Electric Power Development Co., Ltd. "B" ......   CHNA            833,160        682,936         0.1
    ENERGY SOURCES
  Electricity Generating Public Co., Ltd. - Foreign .......   THAI            136,200        334,185         0.1
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
  EDP-Electricidade de Portugal S.A. ......................   PORT              9,030        165,721          --
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                          68,315,112
                                                                                        ------------
Services (11.7%)
  Telecomunicacoes Brasileiras S.A. (Telebras): ...........   BRZL                 --             --         4.1
    TELEPHONE NETWORKS
    ADR{\/} ...............................................   --              115,091     17,465,059          --
    Common ................................................   --           40,244,258      5,458,116          --
  Telefonos de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. "L" - ADR{\/} .........   MEX             142,738      6,815,740         1.2
    TELEPHONE NETWORKS
  Pick'n Pay Stores Ltd. ..................................   SAFR          3,640,456      5,458,075         1.0
    RETAILERS-OTHER
  Compania de Telefonos de Chile S.A. - ADR{\/} ...........   CHLE            128,402      4,237,266         0.8
    TELEPHONE NETWORKS
  Cifra S.A. de C.V.: .....................................   MEX                  --             --         0.5
    RETAILERS-OTHER
    "B" ADR{\/} ...........................................   --            1,000,000      1,580,000          --
    "B" ...................................................   --              592,636      1,104,522          --
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                       F4
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                                 June 30, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           VALUE         % OF NET
EQUITY INVESTMENTS                                           COUNTRY       SHARES         (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
Services (Continued)
  Telecomunicacoes de Sao Paulo S.A. (TELESP) Preferred ...   BRZL          7,715,118   $  2,519,149         0.4
    TELEPHONE NETWORKS
  Konsortium Perkapalan Berhad ............................   MAL             370,000      2,184,664         0.4
    TRANSPORTATION - SHIPPING
  Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd. ..........................   IND             233,600      1,984,783         0.4
    TELECOM - OTHER
  Advanced Info. Service "L" ..............................   THAI            221,100      1,930,781         0.3
    WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS
  PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia - Foreign ...................   INDO          1,173,500      1,918,825         0.3
    TELECOM - OTHER
  Telecomasia (Local)-/- ..................................   THAI          1,361,600      1,644,127         0.3
    TELEPHONE NETWORKS
  Compania Anonima Nacional Telefonos de Venezuela (CANTV)
   - ADR{\/ } .............................................   VENZ             37,626      1,622,621         0.3
    TELEPHONE NETWORKS
  SM Prime Holdings, Inc. .................................   PHIL          4,441,000      1,314,603         0.2
    RETAILERS-APPAREL
  Telefonica de Argentina S.A. "B" - ADR{\/} ..............   ARG              32,028      1,108,970         0.2
    TELEPHONE NETWORKS
  PT Matahari Putra Prima - Foreign .......................   INDO            517,500      1,043,089         0.2
    RETAILERS-APPAREL
  Migros Turk T.A.S. ......................................   TRKY          1,305,000        923,349         0.2
    RETAILERS-FOOD
  Portugal Telecom S.A. - Registered ......................   PORT             20,551        829,046         0.1
    TELEPHONE NETWORKS
  Sonae Investimentos-Sociedade Gestora de Participacoes
   Sociais S.A. ...........................................   PORT             18,602        777,796         0.1
    RETAILERS-OTHER
  Hellenic Telecommunications Organization S.A. ...........   GREC             30,660        719,876         0.1
    TELEPHONE NETWORKS
  PT Steady Safe Transportation - Foreign .................   INDO            554,500        650,072         0.1
    TRANSPORTATION - ROAD & RAIL
  Danubius Hotel and Spa Rt.-/- ...........................   HGRY             21,940        648,360         0.1
    LEISURE & TOURISM
  Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. ..................   PHIL             15,610        506,510         0.1
    TELEPHONE - LONG DISTANCE
  Investec-Consultoria Internacional S.A.-/- ..............   PORT             14,612        498,053         0.1
    BROADCASTING & PUBLISHING
  Indian Hotels Co., Ltd. .................................   IND              25,850        471,446         0.1
    LEISURE & TOURISM
  Blue Square Chain Investments & Properties Ltd.-/- ......   ISRL             29,644        288,626         0.1
    RETAILERS-FOOD
  Estabelecimentos Jeronimo Martins & Filho, Sociedade
   Gestora de Participacoes Sociais S.A. ..................   PORT              3,854        269,233          --
    RETAILERS - OTHER
  PT Indosat - Foreign ....................................   INDO             58,000        173,571          --
    TELECOM - OTHER
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                          66,146,328
                                                                                        ------------
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                       F5
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                                 June 30, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           VALUE         % OF NET
EQUITY INVESTMENTS                                           COUNTRY       SHARES         (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
Materials/Basic Industry (11.0%)
  General Mining Union Corp. (Gencor) .....................   SAFR          1,662,487   $  7,660,893         1.4
    METALS - NON-FERROUS
  Kimberly-Clark de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. "A" ..............   MEX           1,389,779      5,600,419         1.0
    PAPER/PACKAGING
  SA Iron & Steel Industrial Corp., Ltd. (ISCOR) ..........   SAFR          7,933,404      5,247,539         0.9
    METALS - STEEL
  PT Gudang Garam - Foreign ...............................   INDO            949,500      3,983,916         0.7
    MISC. MATERIALS & COMMODITIES
  Sappi Ltd. ..............................................   SAFR            398,303      3,600,578         0.6
    FOREST PRODUCTS
  Suez Cement Co. - Reg S GDR-/- {c} {\/} .................   EGPT            158,195      3,195,539         0.6
    CEMENT
  Pohang Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. - ADR{\/} .................   KOR              88,870      2,843,840         0.5
    METALS - STEEL
  Apasco S.A. .............................................   MEX             369,933      2,655,356         0.5
    CEMENT
  Helwan Portland Cement Co.-/- ...........................   EGPT            124,280      2,630,822         0.5
    CEMENT
  Industrias Penoles S.A. "CP" ............................   MEX             548,803      2,619,271         0.5
    METALS - NON-FERROUS
  Cosco Pacific Ltd. ......................................   HK              994,000      2,303,183         0.4
    PAPER/PACKAGING
  Anglo American Corporation of South Africa Ltd. .........   SAFR             37,760      2,274,924         0.4
    GOLD
  Siam Cement Co., Ltd. - Foreign .........................   THAI            117,100      2,027,079         0.4
    CEMENT
  Ameriyah Cement Co.-/- ..................................   EGPT             67,800      1,652,344         0.3
    CEMENT
  Maanshan Iron and Steel Co. "H" .........................   CHNA          7,091,000      1,482,860         0.3
    METALS - STEEL
  Torah Portland Cement Co.-/- ............................   EGPT             50,650      1,282,090         0.2
    CEMENT
  Eregli Demir Ve Celik Fabrikalari T.A.S. ................   TRKY          6,806,621      1,135,201         0.2
    METALS - STEEL
  Titan Cement Co., S.A. ..................................   GREC             22,586      1,114,049         0.2
    BUILDING MATERIALS & COMPONENTS
  Paints & Chemical Industry-/- ...........................   EGPT             31,400      1,058,219         0.2
    CHEMICALS
  Pannonplast Rt. .........................................   HGRY             20,732      1,040,474         0.2
    MISC. MATERIALS & COMMODITIES
  Turk Sise ve Cam Fabrikalari AS-/- ......................   TRKY         16,264,000      1,030,199         0.2
    GLASS
  Helioplis Housing-/- ....................................   EGPT              8,000        946,814         0.2
    BUILDING MATERIALS & COMPONENTS
  Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd. .................................   MAL              97,000        791,837         0.1
    BUILDING MATERIALS & COMPONENTS
  North Cairo Flour Mills-/- ..............................   EGPT             15,170        790,313         0.1
    MISC. MATERIALS & COMMODITIES
  Israel Chemicals Ltd.-/- ................................   ISRL            654,789        772,596         0.1
    CHEMICALS
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                       F6
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                                 June 30, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           VALUE         % OF NET
EQUITY INVESTMENTS                                           COUNTRY       SHARES         (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
Materials/Basic Industry (Continued)
  Oryx Gold Holdings Ltd.-/- ..............................   SAFR            698,990   $    708,930         0.1
    GOLD
  Cimpor-Cimentos de Portugal, SGPS S.A. ..................   PORT             21,964        511,911         0.1
    CEMENT
  Agros Holding S.A.-/- ...................................   POL              16,123        429,456         0.1
    MISC. MATERIALS & COMMODITIES
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                          61,390,652
                                                                                        ------------
Multi-Industry/Miscellaneous (7.5%)
  Barlow Ltd. .............................................   SAFR            657,524      7,154,406         1.3
    CONGLOMERATE
  Sime Darby Bhd. .........................................   MAL           1,245,000      4,144,244         0.7
    MISCELLANEOUS
  Bimantara Citra - Foreign ...............................   INDO          2,369,500      4,142,483         0.7
    CONGLOMERATE
  Delta Corporation Ltd. (subdivision)-/- .................   ZBBW          2,472,400      3,797,016         0.7
    MULTI-INDUSTRY
  Renong Bhd. .............................................   MAL           2,519,000      3,294,115         0.6
    MULTI-INDUSTRY
  Shanghai Industrial Holdings Ltd. .......................   HK              520,000      3,235,400         0.6
    MULTI-INDUSTRY
  Haci Omer Sabanci Holding Reg S - ADR-/- {c} {\/} .......   TRKY            343,073      3,087,657         0.6
    MULTI-INDUSTRY
  Suramericana de Seguros S.A. ............................   COL             102,214      2,644,436         0.5
    CONGLOMERATE
  ITC Ltd.-/- .............................................   IND             136,000      2,140,811         0.4
    MULTI-INDUSTRY
  San Luis "CPO"-/- .......................................   MEX             248,277      1,841,521         0.3
    CONGLOMERATE
  Koc Holding AS ..........................................   TRKY          7,535,000      1,777,123         0.3
    CONGLOMERATE
  Koor Industries Ltd.: ...................................   ISRL                 --             --         0.2
    CONGLOMERATE
    Common ................................................   --                5,700        504,688          --
    ADR{\/} ...............................................   --               22,043        388,508          --
  Mosenergo: ..............................................   RUS                  --             --         0.2
    MISCELLANEOUS
    Reg S ADR{c} {\/} .....................................   --               10,964        455,006          --
    144A ADR{.} {\/} ......................................   --               10,000        415,000          --
  GT Taiwan Fund{\/}+X+ ...................................   TWN              49,751        762,687         0.1
    COUNTRY FUNDS
  Graboplast Rt. ..........................................   HGRY             13,452        632,021         0.1
    MISCELLANEOUS
  Banco Comercial Portugues "A", Convertible Preferred, 8%
   till 6/30/03{\/ } ......................................   PORT              6,615        453,128         0.1
    MISCELLANEOUS
  Discount Investment Corp. ...............................   ISRL              3,871        309,507         0.1
    MULTI-INDUSTRY
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                          41,179,757
                                                                                        ------------
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                       F7
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                                 June 30, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           VALUE         % OF NET
EQUITY INVESTMENTS                                           COUNTRY       SHARES         (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
Consumer Non-Durables (4.7%)
  South African Breweries Ltd. ............................   SAFR            197,892   $  6,075,727         1.1
    BEVERAGES - ALCOHOLIC
  Gruma S.A. "B"-/- .......................................   MEX           1,021,073      4,757,550         0.8
    FOOD
  Companhia Cervejaria Brahma Preferred ...................   BRZL          4,662,721      3,551,724         0.6
    BEVERAGES - ALCOHOLIC
  Fomento Economico Mexicano, S.A. de C.V. "B"-/- .........   MEX             387,105      2,305,763         0.4
    BEVERAGES - ALCOHOLIC
  San Miguel Corp. "B" ....................................   PHIL            851,600      2,246,156         0.4
    BEVERAGES - ALCOHOLIC
  Hindustan Lever Ltd.-/- .................................   IND              40,650      1,636,802         0.3
    PERSONAL CARE/COSMETICS
  Eastern Tobacco Co.-/- ..................................   EGPT             64,075      1,621,913         0.3
    TOBACCO
  Embotelladora Andina S.A.: ..............................   CHLE                 --             --         0.3
    BEVERAGES - NON-ALCOHOLIC
    "B" ADR{\/} ...........................................   --               41,497        866,250          --
    "A" ADR{\/} ...........................................   --               34,400        737,450          --
  Bavaria .................................................   COL             106,425        764,503         0.1
    BEVERAGES - ALCOHOLIC
  A-Ahram Beverages Co. S.A.E. - GDR-/- {\/} ..............   EGPT             36,514        746,711         0.1
    BEVERAGES - ALCOHOLIC
  Ng Fung Hong Ltd. .......................................   HK              462,000        691,795         0.1
    FOOD
  La Tondena Distillers, Inc. .............................   PHIL            137,900        332,321         0.1
    BEVERAGES - NON-ALCOHOLIC
  Zaklady Piwowarskie w Zywcu S.A. (Zywiec) ...............   POL               4,461        285,178         0.1
    BEVERAGES - ALCOHOLIC
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                          26,619,843
                                                                                        ------------
Consumer Durables (2.9%)
  Johnson Electric Holdings Ltd. ..........................   HK            1,375,500      4,101,571         0.7
    AUTO PARTS
  Samsung Electronics Co. - 144A GDR{.} -/- {\/} ..........   KOR              55,070      3,221,595         0.6
    CONSUMER ELECTRONICS
  Arcelik AS ..............................................   TRKY         16,609,500      2,238,477         0.4
    APPLIANCES & HOUSEHOLD
  PT Astra International - Foreign ........................   INDO            405,000      1,665,981         0.3
    AUTO PARTS
  Qingling Motors Co., Ltd.-/- ............................   CHNA          2,708,000      1,398,255         0.3
    AUTOMOBILES
  Bajaj Auto Ltd. .........................................   IND              52,800      1,360,246         0.2
    AUTOMOBILES
  Tata Engineering and Locomotive Co., Ltd.: ..............   IND                  --             --         0.2
    AUTOMOBILES
    GDR{\/} ...............................................   --               48,000        736,800          --
    Common ................................................   --               25,000        316,084          --
  BEC World Public Co., Ltd. ..............................   THAI             77,800        667,372         0.1
    CONSUMER ELECTRONICS
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                       F8
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                                 June 30, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           VALUE         % OF NET
EQUITY INVESTMENTS                                           COUNTRY       SHARES         (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
Consumer Durables (Continued)
  Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.-/- .............................   IND              43,300   $    524,445         0.1
    AUTOMOBILES
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                          16,230,826
                                                                                        ------------
Capital Goods (2.9%)
  United Engineers Ltd. ...................................   MAL             659,000      4,752,843         0.8
    CONSTRUCTION
  Hindalco Industries Ltd.: ...............................   IND                  --             --         0.8
    INDUSTRIAL COMPONENTS
    144A GDR{.} {\/} ......................................   --               73,400      2,594,690          --
    Common ................................................   --               63,600      1,739,883          --
  ECI Telecommunications Ltd.{\/} .........................   ISRL             73,000      2,171,750         0.4
    TELECOM EQUIPMENT
  Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings .....................   HK              471,000      1,364,944         0.2
    CONSTRUCTION
  New World Infrastructure Ltd.-/- ........................   HK              482,000      1,362,601         0.2
    INDUSTRIAL COMPONENTS
  IJM Corporation Bhd. ....................................   MAL             589,000      1,237,052         0.2
    CONSTRUCTION
  Irkutskenergo - ADR{\/} .................................   RUS              36,412        609,901         0.1
    ELECTRICAL PLANT/EQUIPMENT
  C & P Homes, Inc. .......................................   PHIL          1,382,000        519,233         0.1
    CONSTRUCTION
  Elektrim Spolka Akcyjna S.A. ............................   POL              58,947        513,207         0.1
    ELECTRICAL PLANT/EQUIPMENT
  Sungmi Telecom Electronics Co. ..........................   KOR               1,400        186,561          --
    ELECTRICAL PLANT/EQUIPMENT
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                          17,052,665
                                                                                        ------------
Technology (2.0%)
  Asustek Computer Inc. Reg. S - GDR-/- {c} {\/} ..........   TWN             956,400     10,831,230         1.9
    COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS
  Clal Electronics Industries Ltd. ........................   ISRL              2,754        356,681         0.1
    SEMICONDUCTORS
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                          11,187,911
                                                                                        ------------
Health Care (1.2%)
  Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. .....................   ISRL             28,162      1,826,178         0.3
    MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY & SUPPLIES
  Richter Gedeon Rt. - GDR{\/} ............................   HGRY             17,552      1,614,784         0.3
    PHARMACEUTICALS
  Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd. ...............................   IND              79,850      1,522,734         0.3
    MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY & SUPPLIES
  Egypt International Pharmaceuticals-/- ..................   EGPT             19,000      1,175,847         0.2
    PHARMACEUTICALS
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                       F9
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                                 June 30, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           VALUE         % OF NET
EQUITY INVESTMENTS                                           COUNTRY       SHARES         (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
Health Care (Continued)
  PT Kalbe Farma - Foreign ................................   INDO            479,000   $    640,374         0.1
    MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY & SUPPLIES
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                           6,779,917
                                                                                        ------------       -----
 
TOTAL EQUITY INVESTMENTS (cost $381,434,874) ..............                              405,699,232        72.4
                                                                                        ------------       -----
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                          PRINCIPAL        VALUE         % OF NET
FIXED INCOME INVESTMENTS                                     CURRENCY      AMOUNT         (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
Government & Government Agency Obligations (14.6%)
  Argentina (4.2%)
    Republic of Argentina:
      BOCON Pro 1, 3.2424% due 4/1/07+ ....................   ARS           9,345,700      9,845,220         1.7
      Global Bond, 11% due 10/9/06 ........................   USD           7,657,000      8,529,898         1.5
      Global Bond, 11.375% due 1/30/17 ....................   USD           3,849,000      4,292,597         0.8
      Discount Bond, 6.875% due 3/31/23+ ..................   USD             600,000        519,375         0.1
      BOCON Pre 1, 3.2424% due 4/1/01+ ....................   ARS             298,800        356,091         0.1
  Brazil (1.7%)
    Federal Republic of Brazil:
      Debt Conversion Bond Series L, 6.9375% due
       4/15/12+ ...........................................   USD           6,377,000      5,265,011         0.9
      Debt Conversion Bond Registered, 6.9375% due
       4/15/12+ ...........................................   USD           5,623,000      4,642,489         0.8
  Bulgaria (3.2%)
    Republic of Bulgaria:
      Interest Arrears Bond, 6.5625% due 7/28/11 -
       Euro+ ..............................................   USD          13,583,000      9,822,207         1.7
      Discount Bond Series A, 6.6875% due 7/28/24 -
       Euro+ ..............................................   USD          11,442,000      8,438,475         1.5
  Ecuador (1.0%)
    Republic of Ecuador, Discount Bond, 6.4375% due 2/28/25
     - Euro+ ..............................................   USD           7,542,000      5,416,099         1.0
  Mexico (1.2%)
    United Mexican States:
      Global Bond, 11.5% due 5/15/26 ......................   USD           3,336,000      3,818,886         0.7
      Par Bond Series A, 6.25% due 12/31/19+/+ ............   USD           3,534,000      2,736,641         0.5
  Poland (1.4%)
    Republic of Poland:
      12% due 6/12/01 .....................................   PLZ          15,923,000      3,950,455         0.7
      Past Due Interest Bond, 4% due 10/27/14 - Euro++
       {j} ................................................   USD           4,300,000      3,695,313         0.7
  Russia (0.0%)
    City of St. Petersburg, 9.5% due 6/18/02 - 144A{.} ....   USD             250,000        250,313          --
  South Africa (0.7%)
    Republic of South Africa, 13% due 8/31/10 .............   ZAR          20,173,000      4,072,762         0.7
  Venezuela (1.2%)
    Republic of Venezuela:
      Debt Conversion Bond, 6.75% due 12/18/07+ ...........   USD           4,000,000      3,710,000         0.7
      Par Bond Series B, 6.75% due 3/31/20+/+ .............   USD           3,750,000      2,957,813         0.5
                                                                                        ------------
Total Government & Government Agency Obligations (cost
 $79,921,652) .............................................                               82,319,645
                                                                                        ------------
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                      F10
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                                 June 30, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          PRINCIPAL        VALUE         % OF NET
FIXED INCOME INVESTMENTS                                     CURRENCY      AMOUNT         (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
Sovereign Debt (4.1%)
  Russia (4.1%)
    Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs (Vnesheconombank)
     Loan Agreement ** -/- {j} ............................   USD          22,635,000   $ 20,757,963         3.7
    Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs (Vnesheconombank)
     Loan Agreement ** -/- ................................   DEM           4,186,000      2,338,053         0.4
                                                                                        ------------
Total Sovereign Debt (cost $12,011,123) ...................                               23,096,016
                                                                                        ------------
Corporate Bonds (2.8%)
  Argentina (0.5%)
    Supermercados Norte, 10.875% due 2/9/04 - 144A{.} .....   USD           1,193,000      1,222,706         0.2
    Central Termica Guemes S.A., 12% due 11/26/01 -
     144A{.} ..............................................   USD           1,020,000      1,068,144         0.2
    Acindar Industrial Argentina, 11.25% due 2/15/04 ......   USD             661,000        697,355         0.1
  Brazil (0.6%)
    RBS Participacoes S.A., 11% due 4/1/07 - 144A{.} ......   USD           1,107,000      1,162,350         0.2
    Tevecap S.A., 12.625% due 11/26/04 - 144A{.} ..........   USD             840,000        908,250         0.2
    TV Filme, Inc., 12.875% due 12/15/04 - 144A{.} ........   USD             844,000        887,255         0.2
  China (0.7%)
    Panda Global Energy Co., 12.5% due 4/15/04 -
     144A{.} ..............................................   USD           2,139,000      2,074,830         0.4
    Greater Beijing First, 9.5% due 6/15/07 - 144A{.} .....   USD             960,000        974,400         0.2
    Road King Infrastructure, 9.5% due 7/15/07 -
     144A{.} ..............................................   USD             700,000        704,375         0.1
  Indonesia (0.4%)
    PT Tjiwi Kimia, 13.25% due 8/1/01 .....................   USD           1,507,000      1,716,096         0.3
    Indah Kiat Financial Mauritius, 10% due 7/1/07 -
     144A{.} ..............................................   USD             530,000        529,338         0.1
  Mexico (0.3%)
    Copamex Industrias S.A., 11.375% due 4/30/04 -
     144A{.} ..............................................   USD             996,000      1,068,210         0.2
    Grupo Mexico de Desarrollo, 8.25% due 2/17/01 .........   USD             860,000        597,700         0.1
  Russia (0.3%)
    Lukinter Finance, 3.5% due 5/6/02 - 144A{.} ...........   USD           1,213,000      1,522,315         0.3
                                                                                        ------------
Total Corporate Bonds (cost $14,421,367) ..................                               15,133,324
                                                                                        ------------       -----
 
TOTAL FIXED INCOME INVESTMENTS (cost $106,354,142) ........                              120,548,985        21.5
                                                                                        ------------       -----
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                         UNDERLYING
                                                                           NOMINAL         VALUE         % OF NET
OPTIONS                                                      CURRENCY      AMOUNT         (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
  Republic of Bulgaria Floating Interest Rate Bond 'A'
   7/28/12, Call Option, strike 45.9375 expires 7/17/97 ...   USD          10,115,000      1,118,972         0.2
    GOVERNMENT & GOVERNMENT AGENCY OBLIGATIONS
  Republic of Brazil Debt Conversion Bond 4/15/12, Call
   Option, strike 80.222, expires 9/16/97 .................   USD          17,370,000        464,422         0.1
    GOVERNMENT & GOVERNMENT AGENCY OBLIGATIONS
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                      F11
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                                 June 30, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         UNDERLYING
                                                                           NOMINAL         VALUE         % OF NET
OPTIONS                                                      CURRENCY      AMOUNT         (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
  Republic of Venezuela Debt Conversion Bond 12/18/07, Call
   Option, strike 91, expires 8/26/97 .....................   USD           9,250,000   $    187,683          --
    GOVERNMENT & GOVERNMENT AGENCY OBLIGATIONS
                                                                                        ------------       -----
 
TOTAL OPTIONS (cost $772,565) .............................                                1,771,077         0.3
                                                                                        ------------       -----
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                           NO. OF          VALUE         % OF NET
RIGHTS                                                       COUNTRY       RIGHTS         (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
  Chilgener S.A. Rights, expire 7/7/97{\/} ................   CHLE             31,143        104,329          --
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
  Hellenic Telecommunication Organization S.A. Rights,
   expire 7/18/97 .........................................   GREC             30,660          3,767          --
    TELEPHONE NETWORKS
  Rashid Hussain Bhd. Rights for Warrants, expire
   8/5/97 .................................................   MAL             145,857             --          --
    OTHER FINANCIAL
                                                                                        ------------       -----
 
TOTAL RIGHTS (cost $0) ....................................                                  108,096       --0.0
                                                                                        ------------       -----
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                          PRINCIPAL        VALUE         % OF NET
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS                                       CURRENCY      AMOUNT         (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
Structured Notes (1.4%)
  Russia (1.4%)
    Russian Federation GKO (Treasury Bills) Linked Notes
     withcancellable currency forwards attached:
      Due 4/15/98  ........................................   USD           5,446,000      8,191,637         1.4
      (Notes issued by Credit Suisse First Boston (Cayman)
      Ltd. These notes are linked to the local price in
      Russian rubles of 54,460 Titles of Russian treasury
      bills maturing 4/8/98.) (cost $7,178,464)
Government & Government Agency Obligations (0.3%)
  Indonesia (0.3%)
    Dharmala Intiutama International Promissory Note,
     effective yield 15.19% due 10/27/97 (cost
     $1,610,308) ..........................................   IDR       4,000,000,000      1,567,393         0.3
                                                                                        ------------       -----
 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (cost $8,788,772) ............                                9,759,030         1.7
                                                                                        ------------       -----
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                      F12
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                                 June 30, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           VALUE         % OF NET
REPURCHASE AGREEMENT                                                                      (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------                             ------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
  Dated June 30, 1997, with State Street Bank & Trust Co.,
   due July 1, 1997, for an effective yield of 5.75%,
   collateralized by $9,360,000 U.S. Treasury Bills, 6.125%
   due 3/31/98 (market value of collateral is $9,525,366,
   including accrued interest). (cost $9,334,491) .........                             $  9,334,491         1.7
                                                                                        ------------       -----
 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (cost $506,684,844)  * ..................                              547,220,911        97.6
Other Assets and Liabilities ..............................                               13,377,933         2.4
                                                                                        ------------       -----
 
NET ASSETS ................................................                             $560,598,844       100.0
                                                                                        ------------       -----
                                                                                        ------------       -----
</TABLE>
 
- --------------
 
       {\/}  U.S. currency denominated.
        -/-  Non-income producing security.
        {.}  Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities
             Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt
             from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers.
        {c}  Security issued under Regulation S. Rule 144A and additional
             restrictions may apply in the resale of such securities.
         **  Underlying loan agreement currently in default.
          +  The coupon rate shown on floating rate note represents the rate at
             period end.
        +/+  Issued with detachable warrants or value recovery rights. The
             current market value of each warrant or right is zero.
        {j}  All or part of the Fund's holdings in this security is segregated
             as collateral for when-issued securities. See Note 1 to the
             Financial Statements.
         ++  The coupon rate shown on step-up coupon bond represents the rate at
             period end.
        +X+  The G.T. Global Developing Markets Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") has
             invested in the GT Global Taiwan Fund, a fund managed by LGT Asset
             Management Ltd. who is an affiliate of the Fund's manager,
             Chancellor LGT Asset Management, Inc.
          *  For Federal income tax purposes, cost is $507,655,947 and
             appreciation (depreciation) is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
                 <S>                              <C>
                 Unrealized appreciation:         $  51,174,996
                 Unrealized depreciation:           (11,610,032)
                                                  -------------
                 Net unrealized appreciation:     $  39,564,964
                                                  -------------
                                                  -------------
</TABLE>
 
    Abbreviations:
    ADR--American Depository Receipt
    GDR--Global Depository Receipt
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                      F13
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                                 June 30, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund's Portfolio of Investments at June 30, 1997, was concentrated in the
following countries:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               PERCENTAGE OF NET ASSETS {D}
                                        -------------------------------------------
                                                 FIXED INCOME,
                                                   RIGHTS &      SHORT-TERM
COUNTRY (COUNTRY CODE/CURRENCY CODE)    EQUITY     WARRANTS       & OTHER     TOTAL
- --------------------------------------  ------   -------------   ----------   -----
<S>                                     <C>      <C>             <C>          <C>
Argentina (ARG/ARS) ..................    0.6         4.7                       5.3
Brazil (BRZL/BRL) ....................   10.1         2.3            0.1       12.5
Bulgaria (BUL/LEV) ...................                3.2            0.2        3.4
Chile (CHLE/CLP) .....................    4.0                                   4.0
China (CHNA/RMB) .....................    0.7         0.7                       1.4
Colombia (COL/COP) ...................    0.8                                   0.8
Ecuador (ECDR/ECS) ...................                1.0                       1.0
Egypt (EGPT/EGP) .....................    3.0                                   3.0
Greece (GREC/GRD) ....................    0.5                                   0.5
Hong Kong (HK/HKD) ...................    2.9                                   2.9
Hungary (HGRY/HUF) ...................    0.7                                   0.7
India (IND/INR) ......................    3.5                                   3.5
Indonesia (INDO/IDR) .................    3.2         0.4            0.3        3.9
Israel (ISRL/ILS) ....................    1.7                                   1.7
Korea (KOR/KRW) ......................    2.9                                   2.9
Malaysia (MAL/MYR) ...................    7.1                                   7.1
Mexico (MEX/MXN) .....................    5.2         1.5                       6.7
Panama (PAN/PND) .....................    1.4                                   1.4
Philippines (PHIL/PHP) ...............    1.7                                   1.7
Poland (POL/PLZ) .....................    0.4         1.4                       1.8
Portugal (PORT/PTE) ..................    0.6                                   0.6
Russia (RUS/SUR) .....................    2.3         4.4            1.4        8.1
South Africa (SAFR/ZAR) ..............    8.7         0.7                       9.4
Taiwan (TWN/TWD) .....................    2.0                                   2.0
Thailand (THAI/THB) ..................    2.7                                   2.7
Turkey (TRKY/TRL) ....................    4.0                                   4.0
United States & Other (US/USD) .......                               4.1        4.1
Venezuela (VENZ/VEB) .................    1.0         1.2                       2.2
Zimbabwe (ZBBW/ZWD) ..................    0.7                                   0.7
                                        ------      -----          -----      -----
Total  ...............................   72.4        21.5            6.1      100.0
                                        ------      -----          -----      -----
                                        ------      -----          -----      -----
</TABLE>
 
- --------------
 
{d}  Percentages indicated are based on net assets of $560,598,844.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                 FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS OUTSTANDING
                                 JUNE 30, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           MARKET VALUE     CONTRACT    DELIVERY    UNREALIZED
CONTRACTS TO SELL:                        (U.S. DOLLARS)      PRICE       DATE     APPRECIATION
- ----------------------------------------  --------------   -----------  --------  --------------
<S>                                       <C>              <C>          <C>       <C>
Deutsche Marks..........................     1,667,986         1.67438  08/13/97   $    64,004
                                                                                  --------------
THE VALUE OF CONTRACTS TO SELL AS A
 PERCENTAGE OF NET ASSETS IS 0.30%.
  Total Open Forward Foreign Currency
   Contracts (Receivable amount
   $1,731,990)..........................                                           $    64,004
                                                                                  --------------
                                                                                  --------------
</TABLE>
 
- ----------------
See Note 1 to the financial statements.
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                      F14
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                              STATEMENT OF ASSETS
                                 AND LIABILITIES
                                 June 30, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                     <C>          <C>
Assets:
  Investments in securities, at value (cost $506,684,844) (Note 1).................  $547,220,911
  U.S. currency.......................................................  $       598
  Foreign currencies (cost $14,877,210)...............................   15,209,832    15,210,430
                                                                        -----------
  Receivable for securities sold...................................................    19,797,548
  Interest receivable..............................................................     2,470,017
  Dividends and dividend withholding tax reclaims receivable.......................     1,012,312
  Unamortized organizational costs (Note 1)........................................       109,155
  Receivable for open forward foreign currency contracts (Note 1)..................        64,004
  Cash held as collateral for securities loaned (Note 1)...........................    38,768,656
                                                                                     ------------
    Total assets...................................................................   624,653,033
                                                                                     ------------
Liabilities:
  Payable for securities purchased.................................................    24,293,241
  Payable for investment management and administration fees (Note 2)...............       730,616
  Payable for printing and postage expenses........................................        68,122
  Payable for professional fees....................................................        47,957
  Payable for Directors' fees and expenses (Note 2)................................        12,750
  Payable for transfer agent fees..................................................        10,250
  Payable for custodian fees.......................................................        10,195
  Payable for fund accounting fees (Note 2)........................................         9,246
  Payable for registration and filing fees.........................................         2,127
  Other accrued expenses...........................................................       101,029
  Collateral for securities loaned (Note 1)........................................    38,768,656
                                                                                     ------------
    Total liabilities..............................................................    64,054,189
                                                                                     ------------
Net assets.........................................................................  $560,598,844
                                                                                     ------------
                                                                                     ------------
Net asset value per share ($560,598,844 DIVIDED BY 36,416,667 shares
 outstanding)......................................................................  $      15.39
                                                                                     ------------
                                                                                     ------------
Net assets consist of:
  Paid in capital (Note 4).........................................................  $545,109,494
  Undistributed net investment income..............................................     7,627,240
  Accumulated net realized loss on investments and foreign currency transactions...   (32,738,231)
  Net unrealized appreciation on translation of assets and liabilities in foreign
   currencies......................................................................        64,274
  Net unrealized appreciation of investments.......................................    40,536,067
                                                                                     ------------
Total -- representing net assets applicable to capital shares outstanding..........  $560,598,844
                                                                                     ------------
                                                                                     ------------
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                      F15
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                            STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
                         Six months ended June 30, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                               <C>          <C>
Investment income: (Note 1)
  Interest income............................................................................  $ 8,297,254
  Dividend income (net of foreign withholding tax of $184,613)...............................    3,761,245
                                                                                               -----------
    Total investment income..................................................................   12,058,499
                                                                                               -----------
Expenses:
  Investment management fees (Note 2)........................................................    3,689,362
  Administration fees (Note 2)...............................................................      659,522
  Custodian fees.............................................................................      134,669
  Professional fees..........................................................................       68,418
  Fund accounting fees (Note 2)..............................................................       65,953
  Amortization of organization costs (Note 1)................................................       35,087
  Printing and postage expenses..............................................................       31,856
  Transfer agent fees........................................................................       19,910
  Directors' fees and expenses (Note 2)......................................................       15,204
  Other expenses.............................................................................      167,974
                                                                                               -----------
    Total expenses before reductions.........................................................    4,887,955
      Expense reductions (Notes 1 & 5).......................................................      (92,914)
                                                                                               -----------
    Total net expenses.......................................................................    4,795,041
                                                                                               -----------
Net investment income........................................................................    7,263,458
                                                                                               -----------
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currencies:
  (Note 1)
  Net realized gain on investments..............................................  $69,561,832
  Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions............................     (230,810)
                                                                                  -----------
    Net realized gain during the period......................................................   69,331,022
  Net change in unrealized appreciation on translation of assets and liabilities
   in foreign currencies........................................................      (25,984)
  Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments..........................  (19,982,031)
                                                                                  -----------
    Net unrealized depreciation during the period............................................  (20,008,015)
                                                                                               -----------
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments and foreign currencies.......................   49,323,007
                                                                                               -----------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations.........................................  $56,586,465
                                                                                               -----------
                                                                                               -----------
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                      F16
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                      STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         SIX MONTHS
                                                                           ENDED       YEAR ENDED
                                                                          JUNE 30,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                            1997          1996
                                                                        ------------  ------------
<S>                                                                     <C>           <C>
Increase in net assets
Operations:
  Net investment income...............................................  $ 7,263,458   $19,406,553
  Net realized gain on investments and foreign currency
   transactions.......................................................   69,331,022       945,154
  Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on translation
   of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies....................      (25,984 )      91,835
  Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of
   investments........................................................  (19,982,031 )  78,628,364
                                                                        ------------  ------------
    Net increase in net assets resulting from operations..............   56,586,465    99,071,906
Distributions to shareholders: (Note 1)
  From net investment income..........................................           --   (17,407,047 )
                                                                        ------------  ------------
      Total increase in net assets....................................   56,586,465    81,664,859
Net assets:
  Beginning of period.................................................  504,012,379   422,347,520
                                                                        ------------  ------------
  End of period *.....................................................  $560,598,844  $504,012,379
                                                                        ------------  ------------
                                                                        ------------  ------------
 * Includes undistributed net investment income of....................  $ 7,627,240   $   363,782
                                                                        ------------  ------------
                                                                        ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                      F17
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contained below is per share operating performance data for a share outstanding,
total investment return, ratios and supplemental data. This information has been
derived from information provided in the financial statements and market price
data for the shares.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                JANUARY 11, 1994
                                                                                 (COMMENCEMENT
                                           SIX MONTHS         YEAR ENDED         OF OPERATIONS)
                                             ENDED           DECEMBER 31,              TO
                                            JUNE 30,    ----------------------    DECEMBER 31,
                                              1997         1996        1995           1994
                                          ------------  ----------  ----------  ----------------
<S>                                       <C>           <C>         <C>         <C>
Per Share Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period....   $   13.84    $   11.60   $   12.44      $   15.00
                                          ------------  ----------  ----------  ----------------
Income from investment operations:
  Net investment income.................        0.20         0.53        0.72           0.35
  Net realized and unrealized gain
   (loss) on investments................        1.35         2.19       (0.84)         (2.46)
                                          ------------  ----------  ----------  ----------------
    Net increase (decrease) from
     investment operations..............        1.55         2.72       (0.12)         (2.11)
                                          ------------  ----------  ----------  ----------------
Distributions to shareholders:
  From net investment income............          --        (0.48)      (0.72)         (0.35)
  From net realized gain on
   investments..........................          --           --          --          (0.10)
                                          ------------  ----------  ----------  ----------------
    Total distributions.................          --        (0.48)      (0.72)         (0.45)
                                          ------------  ----------  ----------  ----------------
Net asset value, end of period..........   $   15.39    $   13.84   $   11.60      $   12.44
                                          ------------  ----------  ----------  ----------------
                                          ------------  ----------  ----------  ----------------
Market value, end of period.............   $   14.06    $   11.63   $    9.75      $    9.75
                                          ------------  ----------  ----------  ----------------
                                          ------------  ----------  ----------  ----------------
 
Total investment return (based on market
 value).................................       20.90 %+     24.18%       6.60%        (32.16)%+
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period (in 000's)....   $ 560,599    $ 504,012   $ 422,348      $ 452,872
Ratio of net investment income to
 average net assets.....................        2.75 %++      4.07%      6.33%          2.75 %++
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
  With expense reductions (Notes 1 &
   5)...................................        1.82 %++      1.82%      1.77%          2.01 %++
  Without expense reductions............        1.85 %++      1.85%      1.80%          2.01 %++
Portfolio turnover rate.................         217 %++       138%        75%            56 %
Average commission rate per share paid
 on portfolio transactions..............   $  0.0019    $  0.0022         N/A            N/A
</TABLE>
 
- ----------------
 
  +  Not annualized
 ++  Annualized
N/A  Not Applicable
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                      F18
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                                 June 30, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
G.T. Global Developing Markets Fund, Inc. ("Fund") is organized as a Maryland
corporation and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended ("1940 Act") as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment
company.
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual
results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of
significant accounting policies in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of the financial
statements.
 
(A) PORTFOLIO VALUATION
Equity securities are valued at the last sale price on the exchange on which
such securities are traded or on the principal over-the-counter market on which
such securities are traded, as of the close of business on the day the
securities are being valued, or, lacking any sales, at the last available bid
price. In cases where securities are traded on more than one exchange, the
securities are valued on the exchange determined by Chancellor LGT Asset
Management, Inc. (the "Manager") to be the primary market.
 
Fixed income investments are valued at the mean of representative quoted bid and
asked prices for securities or, if such prices are not available, at prices for
securities of comparative maturity, quality and type; however, when the Manager
deems it appropriate, prices obtained for the day of valuation from a bond
pricing service will be used. Short-term investments with a maturity of 60 days
or less are valued at amortized cost, adjusted for foreign exchange translation
and market fluctuation, if any.
 
Investments for which market quotations are not readily available (including
restricted securities which are subject to limitations on their sale) are valued
at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of the
Fund's Board of Directors.
 
Portfolio securities which are primarily traded on foreign exchanges are
generally valued at the preceding closing values of such securities on their
respective exchanges, and those values are then translated into U.S. dollars at
the current exchange rates, except that when an occurrence subsequent to the
time a value was so established is likely to have materially changed such value,
then the fair value of those securities will be determined by consideration of
other factors by or under the direction of the Fund's Board of Directors.
 
(B) FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION
The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. The market
values of foreign securities, currency holdings, other assets and liabilities
are recorded in the books and records of the Fund after translation to U.S.
dollars based on the exchange rates on that day. The cost of each security is
determined using historical exchange rates. Income and withholding taxes are
translated at prevailing exchange rates when earned or incurred.
 
The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting
from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations
existing from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are
included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments.
 
Reported net realized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from sales and
maturities of short-term investments, forward foreign currency contracts, sales
of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and
settlement dates on securities transactions, and the differences between the
amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the
Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or
paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the
value of assets and liabilities other than investments in securities at year
end, resulting from changes in exchange rates.
 
(C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
With respect to repurchase agreements entered into by the Fund, it is the Fund's
policy to always receive, as collateral, United States government securities or
other high quality debt securities of which the value, including accrued
interest, is at least equal to the amount to be repaid to the Fund under each
agreement at its maturity.
 
(D) FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS
A forward foreign currency contract ("Forward Contract") is an agreement between
two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set price on a future date. The
market value of the Forward Contract fluctuates with changes in currency
exchange rates. The Forward Contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in
market value is recorded by the Fund as an unrealized gain or loss. When the
Forward Contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to
the difference between the value at the time it was opened and the value at the
time it was closed. The Fund could be exposed to risk if a counterparty is
unable to meet the terms of a contract or if the value of the currency changes
unfavorably. The Fund may enter into Forward Contracts in connection with
planned purchases or sales of securities or to hedge against adverse
fluctuations in exchange rates between currencies.
 
(E) OPTION ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES
When the Fund writes a call or put option, an amount equal to the premium
received is included in the Fund's "Statement of Assets and Liabilities" as an
asset and an equivalent liability. The amount of the liability is subsequently
marked-to-market to reflect the current market value of the option. The current
market value of an option listed on a traded exchange is valued at its last bid
price, or, in the
 
                                      F19
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
case of an over-the-counter option, is valued at the average of the last bid
prices obtained from brokers, unless a quotation from only one broker is
available, in which case only that broker's price will be used. If an option
expires on its stipulated expiration date or if the Fund enters into a closing
purchase transaction, a gain or loss is realized without regard to any
unrealized gain or loss on the underlying security, and the liability related to
such option is extinguished. If a written call option is exercised, a gain or
loss is realized from the sale of the underlying security and the proceeds of
the sale are increased by the premium originally received. If a written put
option is exercised, the cost of the underlying security purchased would be
decreased by the premium originally received. The Fund can write options only on
a covered basis, which, for a call, requires that the Fund hold the underlying
security, and, for a put, requires the Fund to set aside cash, U.S. government
securities or other liquid securities in an amount not less than the exercise
price or otherwise provide adequate cover at all times while the put option is
outstanding. The Fund may use options to manage its exposure to the stock and
bond markets and to fluctuations in currency values or interest rates.
 
The premium paid by the Fund for the purchase of a call or put option is
included in the Fund's "Statement of Assets and Liabilities" as an investment
and subsequently "marked-to-market" to reflect the current market value of the
option. If an option which the Fund has purchased expires on the stipulated
expiration date, the Fund realizes a loss in the amount of the cost of the
option. If the Fund enters into a closing sale transaction, the Fund realizes a
gain or loss, depending on whether proceeds from the closing sale transaction
are greater or less than the cost of the option. If the Fund exercises a call
option, the cost of the securities acquired by exercising the call is increased
by the premium paid to buy the call. If the Fund exercises a put option, it
realizes a gain or loss from the sale of the underlying security, and the
proceeds from such sale are decreased by the premium originally paid.
 
The risk associated with purchasing options is limited to the premium originally
paid. The risk in writing a call option is that the Fund may forego the
opportunity of profit if the market value of the underlying security or index
increases and the option is exercised. The risk in writing a put option is that
the Fund may incur a loss if the market value of the underlying security or
index decreases and the option is exercised. In addition, there is the risk the
Fund may not be able to enter into a closing transaction because of an illiquid
secondary market.
 
(F) FUTURES CONTRACTS
A futures contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a
security at a set price on a future date. Upon entering into such a contract the
Fund is required to pledge to the broker an amount of cash or securities equal
to the minimum "initial margin" requirements of the exchange on which the
contract is traded. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or
pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in value of
the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as "variation margin" and are
recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses. When the contract is closed,
the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the
value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was
closed. The potential risk to the Fund is that the change in value of the
underlying securities may not correlate to the change in value of the contracts.
The Fund may use futures contracts to manage its exposure to the stock and bond
markets and to fluctuations in currency values or interest rates.
 
(G) SECURITY TRANSACTIONS AND RELATED INVESTMENT INCOME
Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy
or sell is executed). The cost of securities sold is determined on a first-in,
first-out basis, unless otherwise specified. Dividends are recorded on the
ex-dividend date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Where a high
level of uncertainty exists as to collection of income on securities, income is
recorded net of all withholding tax with any rebate recorded when received. The
Fund may trade securities on other than normal settlement terms. This may
increase the market risk if the other party to the transaction fails to deliver
and causes the Fund to subsequently invest at less advantageous prices.
 
(H) PORTFOLIO SECURITIES LOANED
At June 30, 1997, stocks with an aggregate value of approximately $36,477,608
were on loan to brokers. The loans were secured by cash collateral of
$38,768,656 received by the Fund. For international securities, cash collateral
is received by the Fund against loaned securities in an amount at least equal to
105% of the market value of the loaned securities at the inception of each loan.
This collateral must be maintained at not less than 103% of the market value of
the loaned securities during the period of the loan. For domestic securities,
cash collateral is received by the Fund against loaned securities in an amount
at least equal to 102% of the market value of the loaned securities at the
inception of each loan. This collateral must be maintained at not less than 100%
of the market value of the loaned securities during the period of each loan. For
the period ended June 30, 1997, the Fund received securities lending income of
$86,176 which was used to reduce the Fund's custodian fees and administrative
expenses.
 
(I) TAXES
It is the policy of the Fund to meet the requirements for qualification as a
"regulated investment company" under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended ("Code"). It is also the intention of the Fund to make distributions
sufficient to avoid imposition of any excise tax under Section 4982 of the Code.
Therefore, no provision has been made for Federal taxes on income, capital
gains, and unrealized appreciation of securities held, or excise tax on income
and capital gains. The Fund currently has a capital loss carryforward of
$96,686,329 of which $18,650,929 expires in 2002 and $78,035,400 expires in
2003.
 
(J) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
Distributions to shareholders are recorded by the Fund on the ex-date. Income
and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with Federal income
tax regulations which may differ
 
                                      F20
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
from generally accepted accounting principles. These differences are primarily
due to differing treatments of income and gains on various investment securities
held by the Fund and timing differences.
 
(K) DEFERRED ORGANIZATIONAL EXPENSES
Expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with its organization, its
registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission and with various states
aggregated $353,775. These expenses are being amortized on a straightline basis
over a five-period period.
 
(L) FOREIGN SECURITIES
There are certain additional considerations and risks associated with investing
in foreign securities and currency transactions that are not inherent in
investments of domestic origin. The Fund's investments in emerging market
countries may involve greater risks than investments in more developed markets
and the prices of such investments may be volatile. These risks of investing in
foreign and emerging markets may include foreign currency exchange rate
fluctuations, perceived credit risk, adverse political and economic developments
and possible adverse foreign government intervention.
 
(M) INDEXED SECURITIES
The Fund may invest in indexed securities whose value is linked either directly
or indirectly to changes in foreign currencies, interest rates, equities,
indices, or other reference instruments. Indexed securities may be more volatile
than the reference instrument itself, but any loss is limited to the amount of
the original investment.
 
(N) RESTRICTED SECURITIES
The Fund is permitted to invest in privately placed restricted securities. These
securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration or to the
public if the securities are registered. Disposal of these securities may
involve time-consuming negotiations and expense, and prompt sale at an
acceptable price may be difficult.
 
(O) SECURITIES PURCHASED ON A WHEN-ISSUED OR FORWARD COMMITMENT BASIS
The Fund may trade securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis, with
payment and delivery scheduled for a future date. These transactions are subject
to market fluctuations and are subject to the risk that the value at delivery
may be more or less than the trade date purchase price. Although the Fund will
generally purchase these securities with the intention of acquiring such
securities, they may sell such securities before the settlement date. These
securities are identified on the accompanying Portfolio of Investments. The Fund
has purchased and sold when-issued securities during the period and has set
aside liquid securities as collateral for these commitments.
 
(P) LINE OF CREDIT
The Fund, along with certain other Funds advised by the Manager, has a line of
credit with BankBoston and State Street Bank. The arrangements with the banks
allow the Fund to borrow an aggregate maximum amount of $200,000,000. The Fund
is limited to borrowing up to 33 1/3% of the value of the Fund's total assets.
For the period ended June 30, 1997, the Fund had no outstanding loan balance.
 
2. RELATED PARTIES
Chancellor LGT Asset Management, Inc. is the Fund's investment manager and
administrator. The Fund pays the Manager investment management fees, which are
computed weekly and paid monthly, at the annualized rate of 1.40% of the Fund's
average weekly net assets. The Manager also acts as administrator of the Fund.
The Fund pays the Manager administration fees, which are computed and paid
monthly, at an annualized rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average weekly net assets.
 
The Manager is the pricing and accounting agent for the fund. The monthly fee
for these services to the Manager is a percentage, not to exceed 0.03% annually,
of the Fund's average daily net assets. The annual fee rate is derived by
applying 0.03% to the first $5 billion of assets of all registered mutual funds
advised by the Manager and 0.02% to the assets in excess of $5 billion and
allocating the result according to the Fund's average daily net assets.
 
The Fund pays each of its Directors who is not an employee, officer or director
of the Manager or any of its affiliated companies $5,000 per period plus $300
for each meeting of the board attended by the Director.
 
3. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES
For the six months ended June 30, 1997, purchases and sales of investment
securities by the Fund, other than U.S. government obligations and short-term
investments, aggregated $530,548,719 and $525,917,109, respectively. There were
no purchases or sales of U.S. government obligations by the Fund for the period.
 
4. CAPITAL SHARES
At June 30, 1997, the Fund is authorized to issue 100 million shares of capital
stock, $0.001 par value, all of which is classified as Common Stock.
 
5. EXPENSE REDUCTIONS
The Manager has directed certain portfolio trades to brokers who paid a portion
of the Fund's expenses. For the six months ended June 30, 1997, the Fund's
expenses were reduced by $6,738 under these arrangements.
 
6. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
On August 13, 1997, the Fund's Board of Directors approved certain matters
required to convert the Fund from a closed-end investment company to an open-end
mutual fund. A shareholder meeting has been called for October 20, 1997 at which
shareholders as of August 22, 1997 may vote on a plan to convert the Fund into a
newly organized GT Global Mutual Fund also to be named GT Global Developing
Markets Fund. If the Fund's shareholders approve the conversion to a mutual
fund, the conversion is expected to occur soon after the shareholder meeting.
 
                                      F21
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                                     NOTES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
   
                                GT GLOBAL FUNDS
    
 
   
  GT  GLOBAL  OFFERS A  BROAD  RANGE OF  FUNDS  TO COMPLEMENT  MANY INVESTORS'
  PORTFOLIOS. FOR MORE  INFORMATION AND A  PROSPECTUS ON ANY  GT GLOBAL  FUND,
  INCLUDING  FEES,  EXPENSES  AND  THE RISKS  OF  GLOBAL  AND  EMERGING MARKET
  INVESTING AND THE RISKS OF  INVESTING IN RELATED INDUSTRIES, PLEASE  CONTACT
  YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISER OR CALL GT GLOBAL DIRECTLY AT 1-800-824-1580.
    
 
GROWTH FUNDS
 
/ / GLOBALLY DIVERSIFIED FUNDS
 
   
GT GLOBAL NEW DIMENSION FUND
    
   
Captures global growth opportunities by investing directly in the six GT Global
Theme Funds
    
 
GT GLOBAL WORLDWIDE GROWTH FUND
Invests around the world, including the U.S.
 
GT GLOBAL INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND
Provides portfolio diversity by investing outside
the U.S.
 
GT GLOBAL EMERGING MARKETS FUND
Gives access to the growth potential of developing economies
 
GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
   
Invests in debt and equity securities of developing market issuers
    
 
/ / GLOBAL THEME FUNDS
 
GT GLOBAL CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND
SERVICES FUND
Invests in companies that manufacture, market, retail, or distribute consumer
products or services
 
GT GLOBAL FINANCIAL SERVICES FUND
Focuses on the worldwide opportunities from the demand for financial services
and products
 
GT GLOBAL HEALTH CARE FUND
Invests in growing health care industries worldwide
 
GT GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUND
Seeks companies that build, improve or maintain a country's infrastructure
 
GT GLOBAL NATURAL RESOURCES FUND
Concentrates on companies that own, explore or develop natural resources
 
GT GLOBAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS FUND
Invests in companies worldwide that develop, manufacture or sell
telecommunications services or equipment
 
/ / REGIONALLY DIVERSIFIED FUNDS
 
GT GLOBAL NEW PACIFIC GROWTH FUND
Offers access to the emerging and established markets of the Pacific Rim,
excluding Japan
 
GT GLOBAL EUROPE GROWTH FUND
Focuses on investment opportunities in the new, unified Europe
 
GT GLOBAL LATIN AMERICA GROWTH FUND
Invests in the emerging markets of Latin America
 
/ / SINGLE COUNTRY FUNDS
 
GT GLOBAL AMERICA SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND
Invests in equity securities of small U.S. companies
 
GT GLOBAL AMERICA MID CAP GROWTH FUND
Concentrates on medium-sized companies in the U.S.
 
GT GLOBAL AMERICA VALUE FUND
Concentrates on equity securities of large cap U.S. companies believed to be
undervalued
 
GT GLOBAL JAPAN GROWTH FUND
Provides U.S. investors with direct access to the Japanese market
 
GROWTH AND INCOME FUND
 
GT GLOBAL GROWTH & INCOME FUND
Invests in blue-chip stocks and government bonds from around the world
 
INCOME FUNDS
 
GT GLOBAL GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND
Earns monthly income from global government securities
 
GT GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
Allocates its assets among debt securities from the U.S., developed foreign
countries and emerging markets
 
GT GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND
Invests in debt securities in emerging markets
 
GT GLOBAL FLOATING RATE FUND
Invests primarily in senior secured floating rate loans that have the potential
to achieve a high level of current income
 
MONEY MARKET FUND
 
GT GLOBAL DOLLAR FUND
Invests in high quality, U.S. dollar-denominated money market securities
worldwide for stability and preservation of capital
 
[LOGO]
 
   
  NO  DEALER, SALES REPRESENTATIVE OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE
  ANY INFORMATION  OR  TO  MAKE  ANY  REPRESENTATION  NOT  CONTAINED  IN  THIS
  STATEMENT  OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION
  OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY  G.T.
  INVESTMENT  FUNDS, INC., GT  GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS  FUND, CHANCELLOR LGT
  ASSET MANAGEMENT,  INC. OR  GT  GLOBAL, INC.  THIS STATEMENT  OF  ADDITIONAL
  INFORMATION  DOES NOT  CONSTITUTE AN  OFFER TO  SELL OR  SOLICITATION OF ANY
  OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY
  PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER IN SUCH JURISDICTION.
    
                                                                   GROSA703   MC
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND:
                                 ADVISOR CLASS
 
                        50 California Street, 27th Floor
                        San Francisco, California 94111
                                 (415) 392-6181
                           Toll Free: (800) 824-1580
 
                      Statement of Additional Information
                                November 1, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
This  Statement of Additional Information relates to the Advisor Class shares of
GT Global Developing Markets  Fund (the "Fund"). The  Fund is a  non-diversified
series  of G.T.  Investment Funds, Inc.  (the "Company"),  a registered open-end
management investment  company. On  October 31,  1997, the  Fund, which  had  no
previous  operating history, acquired the assets  and assumed the liabilities of
G.T. Global Developing Markets Fund, Inc. (the "Predecessor Fund"), a closed-end
investment company. This  Statement of  Additional Information, which  is not  a
prospectus,  supplements  and  should be  read  in conjunction  with  the Fund's
current Advisor Class  Prospectus dated  November 1, 1997,  a copy  of which  is
available  without charge by writing to the above address or by calling the Fund
at the toll-free telephone number listed above.
    
 
Chancellor LGT  Asset Management,  Inc.  (the "Manager")  serves as  the  Fund's
investment manager and administrator. The distributor of the Fund's shares is GT
Global,  Inc. ("GT  Global"). The  Fund's transfer  agent is  GT Global Investor
Services, Inc. ("GT Services" or the "Transfer Agent").
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                           Page No.
                                                                                                                           --------
<S>                                                                                                                        <C>
Investment Objectives and Policies.......................................................................................      2
Options, Futures and Currency Strategies.................................................................................      7
Risk Factors.............................................................................................................     15
Investment Limitations...................................................................................................     21
Execution of Portfolio Transactions......................................................................................     23
Directors and Executive Officers.........................................................................................     25
Management...............................................................................................................     27
Valuation of Fund Shares.................................................................................................     28
Information Relating to Sales and Redemptions............................................................................     29
Taxes....................................................................................................................     31
Additional Information...................................................................................................     34
Investment Results.......................................................................................................     35
Description of Debt Ratings..............................................................................................     41
Financial Statements.....................................................................................................     43
</TABLE>
    
 
[LOGO]
 
                   Statement of Additional Information Page 1
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                           INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND
                                    POLICIES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES
   
The  primary investment objective of the Fund is long-term capital appreciation.
Its secondary  investment objective  is income,  to the  extent consistent  with
seeking capital appreciation. The Fund normally invests substantially all of its
assets  in issuers  in the developing  (or "emerging") markets  of Asia, Europe,
Latin America and elsewhere. The Fund does not consider the following  countries
to  be emerging markets: Australia,  Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, England,
Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy,  Japan, the Netherlands, New  Zealand,
Norway,  Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the  United States. In determining which
countries constitute emerging  markets, the Manager  will consider, among  other
things,   data,  analysis,   and  classification   of  countries   published  or
disseminated by  the  International  Bank  for  Reconstruction  and  Development
(commonly  known as  the World Bank)  and the  International Finance Corporation
("IFC").
    
 
SELECTION OF EQUITY INVESTMENTS
For investment  purposes, an  issuer is  typically considered  as located  in  a
particular  country  if it  (a) is  incorporated under  the laws  of or  has its
principal office in that country, or (b) it normally derives 50% or more of  its
total  revenue from  business in that  country. However, these  are not absolute
requirements, and certain  companies incorporated  in a  particular country  and
considered  by the Manager  to be located  in that country  may have substantial
off-shore operations or subsidiaries and/or  export sales exceeding in size  the
assets or sales in that country.
 
In  determining  the  appropriate  distribution  of  investments  among  various
countries and geographic regions for the Fund, the Manager ordinarily  considers
the  following  factors:  prospects  for  relative  economic  growth  among  the
different countries in which the Fund may invest; expected levels of  inflation;
government  policies influencing  business conditions; the  outlook for currency
relationships;  and  the  range  of  the  individual  investment   opportunities
available to international investors.
 
In  analyzing  companies in  emerging markets  for investment  by the  Fund, the
Manager ordinarily looks for  one or more of  the following characteristics:  an
above-average  earnings  growth  per  share; high  return  on  invested capital;
healthy balance  sheet;  sound financial  and  accounting policies  and  overall
financial  strength;  strong  competitive  advantages;  effective  research  and
product development  and  marketing;  efficient  service;  pricing  flexibility;
strength  of management; and general operating characteristics which will enable
the companies  to  compete successfully  in  their respective  marketplaces.  In
certain countries, governmental restrictions and other limitations on investment
may  affect the maximum percentage of equity ownership in any one company by the
Fund. In addition, in some instances  only special classes of securities may  be
purchased by foreigners and the market prices, liquidity and rights with respect
to those securities may vary from shares owned by nationals.
 
Although  the Fund values  its assets daily  in terms of  U.S. dollars, the Fund
does not intend to convert its holdings of foreign currencies into U.S.  dollars
on a daily basis. The Fund will do so from time to time, and investors should be
aware  of the costs of currency conversion. Although foreign exchange dealers do
not charge  a  fee  for conversion,  they  do  realize a  profit  based  on  the
difference  ("spread") between the  prices at which they  are buying and selling
various currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer  to sell a foreign currency to  the
Fund  at one  rate, while  offering a  lesser rate  of exchange  should the Fund
desire to sell that currency to the dealer.
 
The Fund may be prohibited under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as  amended
("1940 Act"), from purchasing the securities of any foreign company that, in its
most  recent  fiscal year,  derived more  than  15% of  its gross  revenues from
securities-related activities ("securities-related companies").  In a number  of
countries,   commercial  banks  act  as  securities  broker/dealers,  investment
advisers and underwriters or otherwise engage in securities-related  activities,
which  may limit the Fund's ability to hold securities issued by such banks. The
Fund has  obtained an  exemption  from the  Securities and  Exchange  Commission
("SEC") to permit it to invest in certain of these securities subject to certain
restrictions.
 
INVESTMENTS IN OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES
The  Fund may invest in the securities of investment companies within the limits
of the 1940 Act. These limitations currently provide that, in general, the  Fund
may  purchase  shares  of a  closed-end  investment  company unless  (a)  such a
purchase would cause the Fund to own in the aggregate more than 3 percent of the
total outstanding voting stock of the
 
                   Statement of Additional Information Page 2
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
investment company or (b) such a purchase would cause the Fund to have more than
5 percent of its total assets invested in the investment company or more than 10
percent of its  total assets  invested in an  aggregate of  all such  investment
companies.  Investment in such investment companies may also involve the payment
of substantial premiums above the value of such companies' portfolio securities.
The Fund does not intend to invest  in such investment companies unless, in  the
judgment  of the Manager, the potential benefits of such investments justify the
payment of  any applicable  premiums.  The return  on  such securities  will  be
reduced  by  operating  expenses of  such  companies including  payments  to the
investment managers of those investment companies.
 
DEPOSITORY RECEIPTS
   
The Fund may hold equity securities of  foreign issuers in the form of  American
Depository  Receipts  ("ADRs"),  American  Depository  Shares  ("ADSs"),  Global
Depository Receipts ("GDRs") and European Depository Receipts ("EDRs"), or other
securities convertible into securities of eligible issuers. These securities may
not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the securities for  which
they may be exchanged. ADRs and ADSs typically are issued by an American bank or
trust  company  and  evidence ownership  of  underlying securities  issued  by a
foreign corporation.  EDRs,  which  are sometimes  referred  to  as  Continental
Depository  Receipts ("CDRs"), are  issued in Europe  typically by foreign banks
and trust  companies  and  evidence  ownership of  either  foreign  or  domestic
securities.  Generally, ADRs and ADSs in registered form are designed for use in
United States securities markets and EDRs in bearer form are designed for use in
European securities markets. For purposes of the Fund's investment policies, the
Fund's investments in ADRs, ADSs  and EDRs will be  deemed to be investments  in
the equity securities representing securities of foreign issuers into which they
may be converted.
    
 
ADR  facilities may be established as either "unsponsored" or "sponsored." While
ADRs issued under these  two types of facilities  are in some respects  similar,
there  are distinctions between  them relating to the  rights and obligations of
ADR holders and the practices of market participants. A depository may establish
an unsponsored  facility  without  participation by  (or  even  necessarily  the
acquiescence  of) the issuer of the deposited securities, although typically the
depository requests a  letter of  non-objection from  such issuer  prior to  the
establishment  of the facility.  Holders of unsponsored  ADRs generally bear all
the costs  of such  facilities. The  depository usually  charges fees  upon  the
deposit  and withdrawal of the deposited securities, the conversion of dividends
into  U.S.  dollars,  the  disposition   of  non-cash  distributions,  and   the
performance  of  other  services.  The  depository  of  an  unsponsored facility
frequently is  under  no  obligation to  distribute  shareholder  communications
received  from the issuer of the  deposited securities or to pass-through voting
rights to ADR  holders in  respect of  the deposited  securities. Sponsored  ADR
facilities  are created in generally the  same manner as unsponsored facilities,
except that  the  issuer of  the  deposited  securities enters  into  a  deposit
agreement  with the  depository. The deposit  agreement sets out  the rights and
responsibilities of  the  issuer,  the  depository and  the  ADR  holders.  With
sponsored facilities, the issuer of the deposited securities generally will bear
some of the costs relating to the facility (such as dividend payment fees of the
depository),  although ADR holders continue to bear certain other costs (such as
deposit and withdrawal fees).  Under the terms  of most sponsored  arrangements,
depositories  agree  to distribute  notices of  shareholder meetings  and voting
instructions, and to provide shareholder communications and other information to
the ADR holders at the  request of the issuer  of the deposited securities.  The
Fund may invest in both sponsored and unsponsored ADRs.
 
WARRANTS OR RIGHTS
Warrants  or  rights  may be  acquired  by  the Fund  in  connection  with other
securities or separately and provide  the Fund with the  right to purchase at  a
later  date other securities of the  issuer. Warrants are securities permitting,
but  not  obligating,  their  holder  to  subscribe  for  other  securities   or
commodities.  Warrants do not carry  with them the right  to dividends or voting
rights with  respect  to  the  securities that  they  entitle  their  holder  to
purchase, and they do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer. As a
result,  warrants may be considered more speculative than certain other types of
investments. In addition,  the value of  a warrant does  not necessarily  change
with  the value of the underlying securities  and a warrant ceases to have value
if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date.
 
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
   
For the purpose of realizing additional income, the Fund may make secured  loans
of  portfolio securities  amounting to  not more than  30% of  its total assets.
Securities loans are made to broker/dealers or institutional investors  pursuant
to  agreements requiring that the loans continuously be secured by collateral at
least equal at all times  to the value of the  securities lent plus any  accrued
interest,  "marked to  market" on  a daily  basis. The  Fund may  pay reasonable
administrative and custodial fees  in connection with  loans of its  securities.
While  the securities loan is outstanding, the Fund will continue to receive the
equivalent of the interest or dividends paid by the issuer on the securities, as
well as interest on the investment of the collateral or a fee from the borrower.
The Fund will have a  right to call each loan  and obtain the securities  within
the  stated settlement period. The  Fund will not have  the right to vote equity
securities while they are lent,
    
 
                   Statement of Additional Information Page 3
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
but it may call in a loan in  anticipation of any important vote. Loans will  be
made  only to firms deemed by the Manager to be of good standing and will not be
made unless, in the judgment of the Manager, the consideration to be earned from
such loans would justify the risk.
 
COMMERCIAL BANK OBLIGATIONS
For the  purposes  of  the  Fund's investment  policies  with  respect  to  bank
obligations,  obligations of foreign branches of U.S. banks and of foreign banks
are obligations of the issuing bank and may be general obligations of the parent
bank. Such  obligations, however,  may be  limited by  the terms  of a  specific
obligation  and  by  government  regulation.  As  with  investment  in  non-U.S.
securities in general,  investments in  the obligations of  foreign branches  of
U.S.  banks and of foreign  banks may subject the  Fund to investment risks that
are different  in some  respects from  those of  investments in  obligations  of
domestic  issuers. Although the  Fund typically will  acquire obligations issued
and supported by the credit of U.S. or foreign banks having total assets at  the
time  of purchase  in excess  of $1 billion,  this $1  billion figure  is not an
investment policy or restriction  of the Fund. For  the purposes of  calculation
with  respect to the $1 billion  figure, the assets of a  bank will be deemed to
include the assets of its U.S. and non-U.S. branches.
 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
A repurchase agreement is a transaction  in which the Fund purchases a  security
from a bank or recognized securities dealer and simultaneously commits to resell
that  security to the bank  or dealer at an agreed  upon price, date, and market
rate of  interest unrelated  to the  coupon rate  or maturity  of the  purchased
security. Although repurchase agreements carry certain risks not associated with
direct investments in securities, including possible decline in the market value
of the underlying securities and delays and costs to the Fund if the other party
to  the repurchase  agreement becomes bankrupt,  the Fund intends  to enter into
repurchase agreements only  with banks and  dealers believed by  the Manager  to
present  minimum credit risks  in accordance with  guidelines established by the
Company's  Board  of  Directors.  The  Manager  will  review  and  monitor   the
creditworthiness of such institutions under the Board's general supervision.
 
   
The  Fund will invest only in  repurchase agreements collateralized at all times
in an amount at least  equal to the repurchase  price plus accrued interest.  To
the  extent that the proceeds from any sale of such collateral upon a default in
the obligation to repurchase were less than the repurchase price, the Fund would
suffer a loss.  If the financial  institution which is  party to the  repurchase
agreement petitions for bankruptcy or otherwise becomes subject to bankruptcy or
other  liquidation proceedings, there may be  restrictions on the Fund's ability
to sell the collateral and the Fund  could suffer a loss. However, with  respect
to  financial  institutions  whose  bankruptcy  or  liquidation  proceedings are
subject to the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, the Fund intends to comply with  provisions
under  the U.S. Bankruptcy  Code that would  allow it immediately  to resell the
collateral. There is no limitation on the  amount of the Fund's assets that  may
be  subject to repurchase agreements at any  given time. The Fund will not enter
into a repurchase agreement  with a maturity  of more than seven  days if, as  a
result,  more than 15% of the value of  its net assets would be invested in such
repurchase agreements and other illiquid investments.
    
 
BORROWING AND REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Fund's borrowings will not exceed 33 1/3% of the Fund's total assets,  i.e.,
the  Fund's total assets at all times will  equal at least 300% of the amount of
outstanding borrowings.  If  market fluctuations  in  the value  of  the  Fund's
portfolio  holdings or other factors cause the  ratio of the Fund's total assets
to outstanding  borrowings to  fall  below 300%,  within three  days  (excluding
Sundays  and holidays) of such event the  Fund may be required to sell portfolio
securities to restore the  300% asset coverage, even  though from an  investment
standpoint  such sales might be disadvantageous. The  Fund also may borrow up to
5% of its total assets  for temporary or emergency  purposes other than to  meet
redemptions.  Any borrowing  by the  Fund may  cause greater  fluctuation in the
value of its shares than would be the case if the Fund did not borrow.
 
The Fund's fundamental investment  limitations permit the  Fund to borrow  money
for leveraging purposes. The Fund, however, currently is prohibited, pursuant to
a  non-fundamental investment policy, from borrowing  money in order to purchase
securities. Nevertheless, this policy may be changed in the future by a vote  of
a  majority of  the Company's  Board of  Directors. In  the event  that the Fund
employs leverage in the future, it would be subject to certain additional risks.
Use of leverage creates an opportunity  for greater growth of capital but  would
exaggerate  any increases or decreases  in the Fund's net  asset value. When the
income and gains on securities purchased with the proceeds of borrowings  exceed
the  costs  of such  borrowings, the  Fund's  earnings or  net asset  value will
increase faster than otherwise would be the case; conversely, if such income and
gains fail to exceed such  costs, the Fund's earnings  or net asset value  would
decline faster than would otherwise be the case.
 
The  Fund may  enter into  reverse repurchase  agreements. A  reverse repurchase
agreement is a borrowing transaction in which the Fund transfers possession of a
security to another party, such as a  bank or broker/dealer in return for  cash,
and  agrees to repurchase  the security in  the future at  an agreed upon price,
which includes an interest component. The Fund
 
                   Statement of Additional Information Page 4
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
will maintain,  in  a  segregated  account with  a  custodian,  cash  or  liquid
securities  in  an  amount sufficient  to  cover its  obligations  under reverse
repurchase agreements  with  broker/dealers.  No  segregation  is  required  for
reverse repurchase agreements with banks.
 
SHORT SALES
The  Fund is authorized  to make short  sales of securities,  although it has no
current intention of doing so. A short  sale is a transaction in which the  Fund
sells  a security in  anticipation that the  market price of  that security will
decline. The  Fund may  make short  sales (i)  as a  form of  hedging to  offset
potential  declines  in long  positions in  securities  it owns,  or anticipates
acquiring, and (ii)  in order to  maintain portfolio flexibility.  The Fund  may
only make short sales "against the box." In this type of short sale, at the time
of  the sale the Fund owns  the security it has sold  short or has the immediate
and unconditional right to acquire the identical security at no additional cost.
 
In a short sale, the seller does not immediately deliver the securities sold and
does not receive the proceeds from the sale. To make delivery to the  purchaser,
the  executing broker borrows the  securities being sold short  on behalf of the
seller. The seller is said to have a short position in the securities sold until
it delivers the securities sold, at which  time it receives the proceeds of  the
sale.  To secure its obligation to deliver  securities sold short, the Fund will
deposit in  a  separate  account with  its  custodian  an equal  amount  of  the
securities  sold short or  securities convertible into  or exchangeable for such
securities at no cost. The Fund could  close out a short position by  purchasing
and  delivering an  equal amount  of the securities  sold short,  rather than by
delivering securities already held by the  Fund, because the Fund might want  to
continue  to  receive  interest  and  dividend  payments  on  securities  in its
portfolio that are convertible into the securities sold short.
 
The Fund might make  a short sale  "against the box" in  order to hedge  against
market risks when the Manager believes that the price of a security may decline,
causing  a decline in  the value of a  security owned by the  Fund or a security
convertible into or  exchangeable for such  security. In such  case, any  future
losses  in the  Fund's long position  should be reduced  by a gain  in the short
position. Conversely, any gain in the long position should be reduced by a  loss
in  the short  position. The extent  to which such  gains or losses  in the long
position are reduced will  depend upon the amount  of the securities sold  short
relative  to the  amount of  the securities  the Fund  owns, either  directly or
indirectly, and, in the case where the Fund owns convertible securities, changes
in the investment values or conversion  premiums of such securities. There  will
be certain additional transaction costs associated with short sales "against the
box,"  but the  Fund will endeavor  to offset  these costs with  income from the
investment of the cash proceeds of short sales.
 
YANKEE BONDS
The Fund may invest in U.S.  dollar-denominated bonds sold in the United  States
by  non-U.S.  issuers ("Yankee  bonds"). As  compared with  bonds issued  in the
United States, such bond  issues normally carry a  higher interest rate but  are
less actively traded.
 
TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE STRATEGIES
The  Fund may invest in  the following types of  money market instruments (i.e.,
debt instruments with less than 12 months remaining until maturity)  denominated
in U.S. dollars or other currencies: (a) obligations issued or guaranteed by the
U.S.    or   foreign   governments,   their   agencies,   instrumentalities   or
municipalities; (b)  obligations  of  international  organizations  designed  or
supported   by  multiple  foreign  governmental  entities  to  promote  economic
reconstruction  or  development;  (c)  finance  company  obligations,  corporate
commercial   paper  and  other  short-term   commercial  obligations;  (d)  bank
obligations (including certificates of  deposit, time deposits, demand  deposits
and  bankers'  acceptances);  (e)  repurchase  agreements  with  respect  to the
foregoing; and (f) other substantially  similar short-term debt securities  with
comparable characteristics.
 
   
The Fund may invest in commercial paper rated as low as A-3 by Standard & Poor's
Ratings  Group ("S&P") or P-3 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or,
if not rated, determined by the Manager to be of comparable quality. Obligations
rated A-3 and P-3 are  considered by S&P and  Moody's, respectively, to have  an
acceptable  capacity for timely repayment. However, these securities may be more
vulnerable to  adverse  effects of  changes  in circumstances  than  obligations
carrying higher designations.
    
 
PREMIUM SECURITIES
The  Fund  may invest  in  income securities  bearing  coupon rates  higher than
prevailing market rates.  Such "premium" securities  are typically purchased  at
prices greater than the principal amounts payable on maturity. The Fund will not
amortize  the premium paid for such securities in calculating its net investment
income. As a result, in such cases the purchase of such securities provides  the
Fund  a higher  level of  investment income  distributable to  shareholders on a
current basis than if the Fund purchased securities bearing current market rates
of interest. If securities purchased by the
 
                   Statement of Additional Information Page 5
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
Fund at a premium are called or sold prior to maturity, the Fund will realize  a
loss  to the  extent the  call or sale  price is  less than  the purchase price.
Additionally, the  Fund will  realize a  loss  if it  holds such  securities  to
maturity.
 
INDEXED DEBT SECURITIES
The  Fund  may invest  in debt  securities  issued by  banks and  other business
entities not located in developing market countries that are indexed to  certain
specific  foreign  currency exchange  rates, interest  rates or  other reference
rates. The  terms of  such securities  provide that  their principal  amount  is
adjusted  upwards or  downwards (but ordinarily  not below zero)  at maturity to
reflect changes in  the exchange rate  between two currencies  (or other  rates)
while the obligations are outstanding. While such securities offer the potential
for  an  attractive  rate  of return,  they  also  entail the  risk  of  loss of
principal. New forms of such securities  continue to be developed. The Fund  may
invest  in  such  securities  to  the  extent  consistent  with  its  investment
objectives.
 
STRUCTURED INVESTMENTS
The Fund may invest a portion of  its assets in interests in entities  organized
and   operated  solely   for  the   purpose  of   restructuring  the  investment
characteristics of  Sovereign  Debt. This  type  of restructuring  involves  the
deposit  with  or purchase  by an  entity, such  as a  corporation or  trust, of
specified instruments (such  as commercial bank  loans or Brady  Bonds) and  the
issuance  by  that entity  of  one or  more  classes of  securities ("Structured
Investments")  backed  by,   or  representing  interests   in,  the   underlying
instruments.  The cash  flow on  the underlying  instruments may  be apportioned
among  the  newly  issued  Structured  Investments  to  create  securities  with
different   investment  characteristics  such  as  varying  maturities,  payment
priorities and interest  rate provisions, and  the extent of  the payments  made
with  respect to Structured Investments  is dependent on the  extent of the cash
flow on the underlying instruments.  Because Structured Investments of the  type
in  which  the  Fund anticipates  it  will  invest typically  involve  no credit
enhancement, their  credit risk  generally will  be equivalent  to that  of  the
underlying instruments.
 
The  Fund is permitted  to invest in  a class of  Structured Investments that is
either subordinated  or not  subordinated to  the right  of payment  of  another
class.  Subordinated  Structured Investments  typically  have higher  yields and
present greater risks than unsubordinated Structured Investments.
 
   
Certain issuers  of  Structured Investments  may  be deemed  to  be  "investment
companies"  as defined in  the 1940 Act.  As a result,  the Fund's investment in
these Structured Investments may be limited by the restrictions contained in the
1940  Act  described  above  under   "Investment  Objectives  and  Policies   --
Investments in Other Investment Companies." Structured Investments are typically
sold in private placement transactions, and there currently is no active trading
market for Structured Investments.
    
 
STRIPPED INCOME SECURITIES
Stripped  income securities are obligations representing an interest in all or a
portion of  the income  or  principal components  of  an underlying  or  related
security,  a pool of securities  or other assets. In  the most extreme case, one
class will receive all of the interest (the interest only or "IO" class),  while
the  other class will receive  all of the principal  (the principal-only or "PO"
class). The market values of stripped income securities tend to be more volatile
in  response  to  changes  in  interest  rates  than  are  conventional   income
securities.
 
FLOATING AND VARIABLE RATE INCOME SECURITIES
Income securities may provide for floating or variable rate interest or dividend
payments.  The floating  or variable  rate may be  determined by  reference to a
known lending rate, such as a bank's  prime rate, a certificate of deposit  rate
or  the London Inter Bank  Offered Rate (LIBOR). Alternatively,  the rate may be
determined through  an auction  or remarketing  process. The  rate also  may  be
indexed  to  changes  in the  values  of  interest rate  or  securities indexes,
currency exchange rates or other commodities. The amount by which the rate  paid
on  an income security  may increase or  decrease may be  subject to periodic or
lifetime caps. Floating and variable  rate income securities include  securities
whose  rates  vary inversely  with  changes in  market  rates of  interest. Such
securities may also pay a rate of interest determined by applying a multiple  to
the  variable  rate. The  extent  of increases  and  decreases in  the  value of
securities whose rates vary inversely with  changes in market rates of  interest
generally  will  be larger  than comparable  changes  in the  value of  an equal
principal amount  of  a  fixed  rate security  having  similar  credit  quality,
redemption provisions and maturity.
 
   
SWAPS, CAPS, FLOORS AND COLLARS
    
   
The  Fund  may enter  into  interest rate,  currency  and index  swaps,  and may
purchase  or  sell  related  caps,  floors  and  collars  and  other  derivative
instruments.  The Fund  expects to  enter into  these transactions  primarily to
preserve a  return  or spread  on  a particular  investment  or portion  of  its
portfolio, to protect against currency fluctuations, as a technique for managing
the  portfolio's duration  (I.E., the price  sensitivity to  changes in interest
rates) or to protect against  any increase in the  price of securities the  Fund
anticipates  purchasing  at  a  later  date.  The  Fund  intends  to  use  these
transactions as
    
 
                   Statement of Additional Information Page 6
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
   
hedges and will not sell  interest rate caps, floors or  collars if it does  not
own   securities  or  other  instruments  providing  an  income  stream  roughly
equivalent to what the Fund may be obligated to pay.
    
 
   
Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of their
respective commitments to pay or receive  interest (for example, an exchange  of
floating  rate  payments for  fixed rate  payments) with  respect to  a notional
amount of principal. A currency swap is an agreement to exchange cash flows on a
notional amount based on changes in the values of the reference indices.
    
 
   
The purchase of a cap entitles the  purchaser to receive payments on a  notional
principal  amount from the party selling the  cap to the extent that a specified
index exceeds a predetermined  interest rate. The purchase  of an interest  rate
floor  entitles the purchaser to receive payments on a notional principal amount
from the party  selling the floor  to the  extent that a  specified index  falls
below  a predetermined interest rate  or amount. A collar  is a combination of a
cap and a floor that preserves a certain return within a predetermined range  of
interest rates or values.
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                         OPTIONS, FUTURES AND CURRENCY
                                   STRATEGIES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
SPECIAL RISKS OF OPTIONS, FUTURES AND CURRENCY STRATEGIES
The  use of options, futures contracts  and forward currency contracts ("Forward
Contracts") involves special considerations and risks, as described below. Risks
pertaining to particular instruments are described in the sections that follow.
 
        (1) Successful  use  of  most  of these  instruments  depends  upon  the
    Manager's  ability  to  predict  movements  of  the  overall  securities and
    currency markets, which requires different skills than predicting changes in
    the prices of individual securities. While the Manager is experienced in the
    use of these  instruments, there  can be  no assurance  that any  particular
    strategy adopted will succeed.
 
        (2)  There  might  be  imperfect correlation,  or  even  no correlation,
    between price  movements  of  an  instrument  and  price  movements  of  the
    investments being hedged. For example, if the value of an instrument used in
    a  short hedge  increased by less  than the  decline in value  of the hedged
    investment, the  hedge  would  not  be fully  successful.  Such  a  lack  of
    correlation  might  occur  due to  factors  unrelated  to the  value  of the
    investments being  hedged, such  as speculative  or other  pressures on  the
    markets  in which  the hedging  instrument is  traded. The  effectiveness of
    hedges using hedging  instruments on indices  will depend on  the degree  of
    correlation  between price movements in the index and price movements in the
    investments being hedged.
 
        (3) Hedging strategies, if successful, can reduce risk of loss by wholly
    or partially offsetting the negative  effect of unfavorable price  movements
    in the investments being hedged. However, hedging strategies can also reduce
    opportunity  for gain by  offsetting the positive  effect of favorable price
    movements in the hedged investments. For  example, if a Fund entered into  a
    short  hedge  because the  Manager projected  a  decline in  the price  of a
    security in the Fund's portfolio, and  the price of that security  increased
    instead,  the gain from that increase might be wholly or partially offset by
    a decline in the price of the hedging instrument. Moreover, if the price  of
    the  hedging instrument declined by  more than the increase  in the price of
    the security, the Fund could  suffer a loss. In  either such case, the  Fund
    would have been in a better position had it not hedged at all.
 
        (4) As described below, the Fund might be required to maintain assets as
    "cover,"  maintain segregated accounts or make margin payments when it takes
    positions in  instruments  involving  obligations to  third  parties  (i.e.,
    instruments  other than purchased options). If the Fund were unable to close
    out its positions in such instruments,  it might be required to continue  to
    maintain  such assets or  accounts or make such  payments until the position
    expired or matured. The requirements might impair the Fund's ability to sell
    a portfolio security or make an investment at a time when it would otherwise
    be favorable to do so, or require that the Fund sell a portfolio security at
    a disadvantageous time.  The Fund's ability  to close out  a position in  an
    instrument  prior to  expiration or maturity  depends on the  existence of a
    liquid secondary market or, in the absence of such a market, the ability and
    willingness of the other party to the transaction ("contra party") to  enter
    into  a  transaction  closing  out  the  position.  Therefore,  there  is no
    assurance that any position can  be closed out at a  time and price that  is
    favorable to the Fund.
 
                   Statement of Additional Information Page 7
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
WRITING CALL OPTIONS
The  Fund may write  (sell) call options on  securities, indices and currencies.
Call options generally will be written on securities and currencies that, in the
opinion of the Manager  are not expected  to make any major  price moves in  the
near  future  but  that,  over  the  long  term,  are  deemed  to  be attractive
investments for the Fund.
 
A call option  gives the  holder (buyer)  the right  to purchase  a security  or
currency  at a specified price (the exercise  price) at any time until (American
style) or on (European style) a certain  date (the expiration date). So long  as
the  obligation of the writer of a call  option continues, he may be assigned an
exercise notice, requiring him  to deliver the  underlying security or  currency
against  payment  of the  exercise price.  This  obligation terminates  upon the
expiration of the call option, or such earlier time at which the writer  effects
a  closing  purchase  transaction  by purchasing  an  option  identical  to that
previously sold.
 
Portfolio securities or currencies on which call options may be written will  be
purchased  solely on the basis of  investment considerations consistent with the
Fund's investment objective. When writing a call option, the Fund, in return for
the premium, gives up the  opportunity for profit from  a price increase in  the
underlying  security or currency above the  exercise price, and retains the risk
of loss should the  price of the  security or currency  decline. Unlike one  who
owns  securities or currencies not subject to an option, the Fund has no control
over when it may  be required to sell  the underlying securities or  currencies,
since  most  options  may  be  exercised  at  any  time  prior  to  the option's
expiration. If a call option  that the Fund has  written expires, the Fund  will
realize a gain in the amount of the premium; however, such gain may be offset by
a  decline in the market value of the underlying security or currency during the
option period. If the call option is exercised, the Fund will realize a gain  or
loss  from  the sale  of  the underlying  security  or currency,  which  will be
increased or  offset by  the premium  received.  The Fund  does not  consider  a
security  or currency covered by  a call option to be  "pledged" as that term is
used in the Fund's policy that limits the pledging or mortgaging of its assets.
 
Writing call options can serve as a limited short hedge because declines in  the
value  of the  hedged investment would  be offset  to the extent  of the premium
received  for  writing  the  option.  However,  if  the  security  or   currency
appreciates to a price higher than the exercise price of the call option, it can
be  expected that the option will be exercised and the Fund will be obligated to
sell the security or currency at less than its market value.
 
The premium  that the  Fund receives  for writing  a call  option is  deemed  to
constitute the market value of an option. The premium the Fund will receive from
writing a call option will reflect, among other things, the current market price
of  the underlying  investment, the relationship  of the exercise  price to such
market price, the historical price volatility of the underlying investment,  and
the length of the option period. In determining whether a particular call option
should  be  written,  the  Manager  will  consider  the  reasonableness  of  the
anticipated premium and the likelihood that a liquid secondary market will exist
for those options.
 
Closing transactions  will  be effected  in  order to  realize  a profit  on  an
outstanding  call option,  to prevent  an underlying  security or  currency from
being called, or  to permit  the sale of  the underlying  security or  currency.
Furthermore,  effecting  a closing  transaction will  permit  the Fund  to write
another call  option  on the  underlying  security  or currency  with  either  a
different exercise price, expiration date or both.
 
The  Fund will pay transaction  costs in connection with  the writing of options
and in entering into closing  purchase contracts. Transaction costs relating  to
options  activity normally  are higher  than those  applicable to  purchases and
sales of portfolio securities.
 
The exercise price of the  options may be below, equal  to or above the  current
market values of the underlying securities or currencies at the time the options
are  written. From time to time, the Fund may purchase an underlying security or
currency for delivery in accordance with the exercise of an option, rather  than
delivering  such  security  or  currency  from  its  portfolio.  In  such cases,
additional costs will be incurred.
 
The Fund will realize a  profit or loss from  a closing purchase transaction  if
the  cost of  the transaction  is less or  more, respectively,  than the premium
received from writing  the option. Because  increases in the  market price of  a
call  option  generally  will  reflect  increases in  the  market  price  of the
underlying security or  currency, any loss  resulting from the  repurchase of  a
call  option is likely to be  offset in whole or in  part by appreciation of the
underlying security or currency owned by the Fund.
 
WRITING PUT OPTIONS
The Fund may  write put  options on securities,  indices and  currencies. A  put
option  gives the  purchaser of  the option  the right  to sell,  and the writer
(seller) the  obligation to  buy, the  underlying security  or currency  at  the
exercise price at any
 
                   Statement of Additional Information Page 8
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
time  until (American  style) or  on (European  style) the  expiration date. The
operation of put options  in other respects, including  their related risks  and
rewards, is substantially identical to that of call options.
 
The  Fund generally would  write put options in  circumstances where the Manager
wishes to purchase the underlying security or currency for the Fund's  portfolio
at  a price lower than the current market  price of the security or currency. In
such event, the Fund would write a put option at an exercise price that, reduced
by the premium received on the option, reflects the lower price it is willing to
pay. Since the Fund also would receive interest on debt securities or currencies
maintained to cover the  exercise price of the  option, this technique could  be
used to enhance current return during periods of market uncertainty. The risk in
such  a transaction would be that the market price of the underlying security or
currency would decline below the exercise price less the premium received.
 
Writing put options can serve as a  limited long hedge because increases in  the
value  of the  hedged investment would  be offset  to the extent  of the premium
received  for  writing  the  option.  However,  if  the  security  or   currency
depreciates  to a price lower than the exercise  price of the put option, it can
be expected that the put option will be exercised and the Fund will be obligated
to purchase the security or currency at more than its market value.
 
PURCHASING PUT OPTIONS
The Fund may purchase put options on securities, indices and currencies. As  the
holder  of a put option, the Fund has  the right to sell the underlying security
or currency  at  the exercise  price  any any  time  until (American  style)  or
(European  style)  the expiration  date. The  Fund may  enter into  closing sale
transactions with  respect to  such options,  exercise them  or permit  them  to
expire.
 
The  Fund  may purchase  a  put option  on  an underlying  security  or currency
("protective put") owned by the Fund in order to protect against an  anticipated
decline  in the  value of  the security  or currency.  Such hedge  protection is
provided only during the life of the put option when the Fund, as the holder  of
the  put option, is able to sell the  underlying security or currency at the put
exercise price regardless  of any  decline in the  underlying security's  market
price  or currency's exchange value. For example,  a put option may be purchased
in order to protect unrealized appreciation  of a security or currency when  the
Manager  deems it desirable to continue to hold the security or currency because
of tax considerations. The premium paid  for the put option and any  transaction
costs  would reduce  any profit  otherwise available  for distribution  when the
security or currency is eventually sold.
 
The Fund also may purchase put options at a time when the Fund does not own  the
underlying  security or  currency. By  purchasing put  options on  a security or
currency it does not own, the Fund seeks to benefit from a decline in the market
price of the underlying security or currency. If the put option is not sold when
it has remaining value, and  if the market price  of the underlying security  or
currency  remains equal to or greater than the exercise price during the life of
the put option, the Fund will lose  its entire investment in the put option.  In
order for the purchase of a put option to be profitable, the market price of the
underlying  security or  currency must  decline sufficiently  below the exercise
price to cover the premium and transaction costs, unless the put option is  sold
in a closing sale transaction.
 
PURCHASING CALL OPTIONS
   
The Fund may purchase call options on securities, indices and currencies. As the
holder  of  a  call  option, the  Fund  would  have the  right  to  purchase the
underlying security  or  currency  at  the exercise  price  at  any  time  until
(American  style) or on (European style) the expiration date. The Fund may enter
into closing sale transactions  with respect to such  options, exercise them  or
permit them to expire.
    
 
Call  options may  be purchased  by the  Fund for  the purpose  of acquiring the
underlying security or currency for its portfolio. Utilized in this fashion, the
purchase of  call options  would enable  the  Fund to  acquire the  security  or
currency  at the  exercise price of  the call  option plus the  premium paid. At
times, the net cost of acquiring the security or currency in this manner may  be
less  than  the  cost  of  acquiring the  security  or  currency  directly. This
technique also  may  be useful  to  the Fund  in  purchasing a  large  block  of
securities  that would be more difficult  to acquire by direct market purchases.
So long as it holds such a  call option, rather than the underlying security  or
currency  itself, the Fund is partially protected from any unexpected decline in
the market price  of the  underlying security or  currency and,  in such  event,
could  allow the call option  to expire, incurring a loss  only to the extent of
the premium paid for the option.
 
The Fund also may purchase call  options on underlying securities or  currencies
it  owns in order to protect unrealized gains on call options previously written
by  it.  A  call  option  could   be  purchased  for  this  purpose  where   tax
considerations  make  it inadvisable  to realize  such  gains through  a closing
purchase transaction.  Call options  also may  be purchased  at times  to  avoid
realizing  losses that would result in a reduction of the Fund's current return.
For example, where the Fund has written a call option on an underlying  security
or currency having a current market value below the price at which such security
or  currency was purchased  by the Fund,  an increase in  the market price could
result in the exercise of the call
 
                   Statement of Additional Information Page 9
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
option written by  the Fund  and the  realization of  a loss  on the  underlying
security  or currency. Accordingly, the Fund could purchase a call option on the
same underlying security or  currency, which could be  exercised to fulfill  the
Fund's  delivery obligations under  its written call (if  it is exercised). This
strategy could  allow  the Fund  to  avoid  selling the  portfolio  security  or
currency  at a time when it has an unrealized loss; however, the Fund would have
to pay a premium to purchase the call option plus transaction costs.
 
Aggregate premiums paid  for put  and call  options will  not exceed  5% of  the
Fund's total assets at the time of purchase.
 
The Fund may attempt to accomplish objectives similar to those involved in using
Forward  Contracts by purchasing put or call options on currencies. A put option
gives the  Fund as  purchaser  the right  (but not  the  obligation) to  sell  a
specified  amount of currency at the exercise  price at any time until (American
style) or on (European style) the expiration date. A call option gives the  Fund
as  purchaser the right (but not the  obligation) to purchase a specified amount
of currency at  the exercise  price at  any time  until (American  style) or  on
(European  style) the  expiration date. The  Fund might purchase  a currency put
option, for example, to protect itself against a decline in the dollar value  of
a  currency  in  which  it  holds  or  anticipates  holding  securities.  If the
currency's value should decline against the  dollar, the loss in currency  value
should  be offset, in whole or in part, by  an increase in the value of the put.
If the value of the currency instead should rise against the dollar, any gain to
the Fund would  be reduced  by the premium  it had  paid for the  put option.  A
currency  call option might be purchased, for example, in anticipation of, or to
protect against, a rise in the value  against the dollar of a currency in  which
the Fund anticipates purchasing securities.
 
Options  may  be either  listed  on an  exchange  or traded  in over-the-counter
("OTC") Markets. Listed options are third-party contracts (I.E., performance  of
the  obligations of the  purchaser and seller  is guaranteed by  the exchange or
clearing corporation), and have standardized strike prices and expiration dates.
OTC options are two-party contracts with negotiated strike prices and expiration
dates. The Fund will not  purchase an OTC option  unless it believes that  daily
valuations  for such  options are  readily obtainable.  OTC options  differ from
exchange-traded options in that OTC options are transacted with dealers directly
and  not  through  a   clearing  corporation  (which  guarantees   performance).
Consequently,  there  is  a risk  of  non-performance  by the  dealer.  Since no
exchange is involved, OTC options are valued  on the basis of an average of  the
last  bid prices obtained from dealers, unless  a quotation from only one dealer
is available, in which case only that  dealer's price will be used. In the  case
of  OTC options, there can  be no assurance that  a liquid secondary market will
exist for any particular option at any specific time.
 
The staff of the SEC considers purchased OTC options to be illiquid  securities.
The  Fund  may also  sell OTC  options and,  in connection  therewith, segregate
assets or cover its obligations with respect to OTC options written by the Fund.
The assets used as cover for OTC options written by the Fund will be  considered
illiquid unless the OTC options are sold to qualified dealers who agree that the
Fund may repurchase any OTC option it writes at a maximum price to be calculated
by  a formula  set forth in  the option agreement.  The cover for  an OTC option
written subject  to this  procedure would  be considered  illiquid only  to  the
extent that the maximum repurchase price under the formula exceeds the intrinsic
value of the option.
 
The  Fund's  ability to  establish and  close  out positions  in exchange-listed
options depends  on  the existence  of  a liquid  market.  The Fund  intends  to
purchase  or write only those exchange-traded options for which there appears to
be a liquid secondary  market. However, there  can be no  assurance that such  a
market  will exist at any particular time.  Closing transactions can be made for
OTC options  only  by  negotiating  directly  with the  contra  party  or  by  a
transaction in the secondary market if any such market exists. Although the Fund
will  enter into OTC  options only with  contra parties that  are expected to be
capable of  entering  into closing  transactions  with  the Fund,  there  is  no
assurance that the Fund will in fact be able to close out an OTC option position
at  a favorable price  prior to expiration.  In the extent  of insolvency of the
contra party, the Fund might  be unable to close out  an OTC option position  at
any time prior to its expiration.
 
INDEX OPTIONS
Puts and calls on indices are similar to puts and calls on securities or futures
contracts  except that all settlements  are in cash and  gain or loss depends on
changes in the index in question (and thus on price movements in the  securities
market  or a particular market sector  generally) rather than on price movements
in individual securities or futures contracts. When the Fund writes a call on an
index, it receives a premium and agrees that, prior to the expiration date,  the
purchaser  of the call, upon exercise of the call, will receive from the Fund an
amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the call is based is
greater than the exercise price of the call. The amount of cash is equal to  the
difference  between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the
call times a specified multiple  (the "multiplier"), which determines the  total
dollar  value for each point of such difference. When the Fund buys a call on an
index, it  pays a  premium and  has the  same rights  as to  such calls  as  are
indicated above. When the Fund buys a put on an index, it pays a premium and has
the  right, prior to the expiration date, to require the seller of the put, upon
the   Fund's   exercise   of   the   put,   to   deliver   to   the   Fund    an
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 10
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
amount  of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the put is based is
less than the exercise price of the  put, which amount of cash is determined  by
the  multiplier, as described above for calls. When  the Fund writes a put on an
index, it receives  a premium  and the  purchaser has  the right,  prior to  the
expiration date, to require the Fund to deliver to it an amount of cash equal to
the  difference between the  closing level of  the index and  the exercise price
times the multiplier, if the closing level is less than the exercise price.
 
The risks  of  investment  in index  options  may  be greater  than  options  on
securities.  Because index options are  settled in cash, when  the Fund writes a
call on  an index  it cannot  provide in  advance for  its potential  settlement
obligations  by acquiring  and holding the  underlying securities.  The Fund can
offset some of the  risk of writing  a call index option  position by holding  a
diversified  portfolio of  securities similar to  those on  which the underlying
index is based.  However, the Fund  cannot, as a  practical matter, acquire  and
hold  a portfolio containing  exactly the same securities  as underlie the index
and, as a result, bears a risk that  the value of the securities held will  vary
from the value of the index.
 
Even  if the Fund could assemble  a securities portfolio that exactly reproduced
the composition of  the underlying index,  it still would  not be fully  covered
from  a risk standpoint because  of the "timing risk"  inherent in writing index
options. When an index option is exercised,  the amount of cash that the  holder
is  entitled to  receive is  determined by  the difference  between the exercise
price and the closing index level on  the date when the option is exercised.  As
with  other kinds of options, the Fund as  the call writer will not know that it
has been assigned  until the next  business day  at the earliest.  The time  lag
between  exercise and  notice of assignment  poses no  risk for the  writer of a
covered call on a  specific underlying security, such  as common stock,  because
there  the writer's obligation is to deliver the underlying security, not to pay
its value as of a fixed time in the past. So long as the writer already owns the
underlying security,  it  can  satisfy  its  settlement  obligations  by  simply
delivering  it, and the risk that its value may have declined since the exercise
date is borne by the  exercising holder. In contrast, even  if the writer of  an
index call holds securities that exactly match the composition of the underlying
index,  it will not be able to  satisfy its assignment obligations by delivering
those securities against  payment of  the exercise  price. Instead,  it will  be
required  to pay  cash in  an amount  based on  the closing  index value  on the
exercise date; and by the  time it learns that it  has been assigned, the  index
may  have declined, with a corresponding decline  in the value of its securities
portfolio. This "timing risk" is an inherent limitation on the ability of  index
call writers to cover their risk exposure by holding securities positions.
 
If  the Fund has purchased  an index option and  exercises it before the closing
index value for that day  is available, it runs the  risk that the level of  the
underlying  index may subsequently change. If such a change causes the exercised
option to fall out-of-the-money, the Fund will be required to pay the difference
between the closing index value and the exercise price of the option (times  the
applicable multiplier) to the assigned writer.
 
INTEREST RATE, CURRENCY AND STOCK INDEX FUTURES CONTRACTS
The Fund may enter into interest rate, currency or stock index futures contracts
(collectively,  "Futures" or "Futures Contracts"), as a hedge against changes in
prevailing levels  of interest  rates, currency  exchange rates  or stock  price
levels, respectively, in order to establish more definitely the effective return
on  securities or currencies held  or intended to be  acquired by it. The Fund's
hedging may include sales of Futures as an offset against the effect of expected
increases in interest rates  and decreases in currency  exchange rates or  stock
prices,  and purchases of  Futures as an  offset against the  effect of expected
declines in interest rates,  and increases in currency  exchange rates or  stock
prices.
 
The  Fund only  will enter  into Futures  Contracts that  are traded  on futures
exchanges and  are standardized  as to  maturity date  and underlying  financial
instrument.  Futures  exchanges and  trading thereon  in  the United  States are
regulated under  the Commodity  Exchange Act  by the  Commodity Futures  Trading
Commission ("CFTC"). Futures are exchanged in London at the London International
Financial Futures Exchange.
 
Although techniques other than sales and purchases of Futures Contracts could be
used  to reduce the Fund's exposure to interest rate, currency exchange rate and
stock market  fluctuations, the  Fund may  be able  to hedge  its exposure  more
effectively and at a lower cost through using Futures Contracts.
 
A  Futures Contract provides  for the future  sale by one  party and purchase by
another party of a specified amount of a specific financial instrument (security
or currency) for a specified price at a designated date, time and place. A stock
index Futures Contract provides for the delivery, at a designated date, time and
place, of  an amount  of  cash equal  to a  specified  dollar amount  times  the
difference between the stock index value at the close of trading on the contract
and  the price at which  the Futures Contract is  originally struck; no physical
delivery of stocks  comprising the index  is made. Brokerage  fees are  incurred
when  a  Futures  Contract  is  bought or  sold,  and  margin  deposits  must be
maintained at all times the Futures Contract is outstanding.
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 11
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
Although Futures Contracts typically require future delivery of and payment  for
financial  instruments or currencies,  Futures Contracts usually  are closed out
before the delivery date. Closing out an open Futures Contract sale or  purchase
is  effected by entering  into an offsetting Futures  Contract purchase or sale,
respectively,  for  the  same  aggregate  amount  of  the  identical   financial
instrument  or currency and  the same delivery date.  If the offsetting purchase
price is less than the original sale price,  the Fund realizes a gain; if it  is
more, the Fund realizes a loss. Conversely, if the offsetting sale price is more
than  the original purchase price, the Fund realizes  a gain; if it is less, the
Fund realizes  a loss.  The transaction  costs also  must be  included in  these
calculations.  There can be no assurance, however, that the Fund will be able to
enter into  an  offsetting transaction  with  respect to  a  particular  Futures
Contract  at  a particular  time.  If the  Fund  is not  able  to enter  into an
offsetting transaction, the Fund  will continue to be  required to maintain  the
margin deposits on the Futures Contract.
 
As  an example of an offsetting transaction, the contractual obligations arising
from the sale of one Futures Contract of September Deutschemarks on an  exchange
may  be fulfilled  at any  time before  delivery under  the Futures  Contract is
required (i.e., on a specified date  in September, the "delivery month") by  the
purchase  of another  Futures Contract  of September  Deutschemarks on  the same
exchange. In such instance the difference between the price at which the Futures
Contract was  sold  and  the  price paid  for  the  offsetting  purchase,  after
allowance for transaction costs, represents the profit or loss to the Fund.
 
The  Fund's Futures transactions will be entered into for hedging purposes; that
is, Futures Contracts will be sold to protect against a decline in the price  of
securities  or  currencies that  the  Fund owns,  or  Futures Contracts  will be
purchased to protect the Fund against an increase in the price of securities  or
currencies it has committed to purchase or expects to purchase.
 
"Margin"  with respect to Futures Contracts is  the amount of funds that must be
deposited by the Fund in order to  initiate Futures trading and to maintain  the
Fund's  open  positions in  Futures Contracts.  A margin  deposit made  when the
Futures Contract is entered  into ("initial margin") is  intended to assure  the
Fund's  performance  under  the  Futures Contract.  The  margin  required  for a
particular Futures Contract is set by the exchange on which the Futures Contract
is traded, and may be modified significantly  from time to time by the  exchange
during the term of the Futures Contract.
 
Subsequent  payments,  called  "variation  margin,"  to  and  from  the  futures
commission merchant through  which the  Fund entered into  the Futures  Contract
will  be made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying security, currency
or index fluctuates making the Futures Contract more or less valuable, a process
known as marking-to-market.
 
    RISKS OF  USING  FUTURES CONTRACTS.  The  prices of  Futures  Contracts  are
volatile  and  are influenced,  among other  things,  by actual  and anticipated
changes in  interest rates  and currency  exchange rates,  and in  stock  market
movements,  which  in turn  are  affected by  fiscal  and monetary  policies and
national and international political and economic events.
 
There is a risk  of imperfect correlation between  changes in prices of  Futures
Contracts  and prices  of the securities  or currencies in  the Fund's portfolio
being  hedged.  The   degree  of  imperfection   of  correlation  depends   upon
circumstances  such as: variations in speculative  market demand for futures and
for securities or currencies, including technical influences in Futures trading;
and  differences  between  the  financial  instruments  being  hedged  and   the
instruments  underlying the standard Futures  Contracts available for trading. A
decision of whether,  when, and how  to hedge involves  skill and judgment,  and
even  a  well-conceived hedge  may  be unsuccessful  to  some degree  because of
unexpected market behavior or interest or currency rate trends.
 
Because of  the  low  margin  deposits required,  Futures  trading  involves  an
extremely  high  degree  of leverage.  As  a  result, a  relatively  small price
movement in a Futures Contract may result in immediate and substantial loss,  as
well  as gain, to the investor. For example,  if at the time of purchase, 10% of
the value  of the  Futures Contract  is deposited  as margin,  a subsequent  10%
decrease  in the value of  the Futures Contract would result  in a total loss of
the margin  deposit, before  any deduction  for the  transaction costs,  if  the
account  were then closed  out. A 15% decrease  would result in  a loss equal to
150% of the original  margin deposit, if the  Futures Contract were closed  out.
Thus, a purchase or sale of a Futures Contract may result in losses in excess of
the amount invested in the Futures Contract.
 
Most U.S. Futures exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in Futures
Contract and options on Futures Contract prices during a single trading day. The
daily  limit establishes the maximum amount that the price of a Futures Contract
or option may vary either up or down from the previous day's settlement price at
the end  of a  trading session.  Once  the daily  limit has  been reached  in  a
particular type of Futures Contract or option, no trades may be made on that day
at a price beyond that limit. The daily limit governs only price movement during
a  particular trading day and therefore does not limit potential losses, because
the limit may prevent the liquidation of unfavorable positions. Futures Contract
and option  prices  occasionally have  moved  to  the daily  limit  for  several
consecutive  trading days with  little or no  trading, thereby preventing prompt
liquidation of positions and subjecting some traders to substantial losses.
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 12
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
If the Fund were unable to liquidate a Futures or option on Futures position due
to the absence of a liquid secondary  market or the imposition of price  limits,
it  could incur  substantial losses.  The Fund would  continue to  be subject to
market risk with respect  to the position.  In addition, except  in the case  of
purchased  options,  the  Fund  would  continue to  be  required  to  make daily
variation margin payments and might be  required to maintain the position  being
hedged by the Future or option or to maintain cash or securities in a segregated
account.
 
Certain  characteristics  of the  Futures market  might  increase the  risk that
movements in the  prices of Futures  Contracts or options  on Futures might  not
correlate  perfectly  with  movements in  the  prices of  the  investments being
hedged. For example,  all participants  in the  Futures and  options on  Futures
markets  are subject to daily  variation margin calls and  might be compelled to
liquidate Futures  or  options on  Futures  positions whose  prices  are  moving
unfavorably  to avoid being  subject to further  calls. These liquidations could
increase price  volatility  of the  instruments  and distort  the  normal  price
relationship  between the Futures  or options and  the investments being hedged.
Also, because initial margin deposit requirements in the Futures market are less
onerous than  margin requirements  in  the securities  markets, there  might  be
increased   participation   by  speculators   in   the  Futures   markets.  This
participation  also  might  cause  temporary  price  distortions.  In  addition,
activities of large traders in both the Futures and securities markets involving
arbitrage,  "program trading"  and other  investment strategies  might result in
temporary price distortions.
 
OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS
Options on Futures Contracts are similar to options on securities or  currencies
except that options on Futures Contracts give the purchaser the right, in return
for  the  premium paid,  to  assume a  position in  a  Futures Contract  (a long
position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put) at
a specified exercise price  at any time  during the period  of the option.  Upon
exercise  of the option, the  delivery of the Futures  position by the writer of
the option to the holder  of the option will be  accompanied by delivery of  the
accumulated balance in the writer's Futures margin account, which represents the
amount  by which the market price of  the Futures Contract, at exercise, exceeds
(in the case of  a call) or  is less than (in  the case of  a put) the  exercise
price  of the option on  the Futures Contract. If an  option is exercised on the
last trading day prior to the expiration date of the option, the settlement will
be made entirely in cash equal to  the difference between the exercise price  of
the  option and the  closing level of  the securities, currencies  or index upon
which the  Futures Contract  is  based on  the  expiration date.  Purchasers  of
options  who fail to exercise their options  prior to the exercise date suffer a
loss of the premium paid.
 
The purchase of  call options  on Futures  can serve as  a long  hedge, and  the
purchase  of put  options on Futures  can serve  as a short  hedge. Writing call
options on Futures can serve as a  limited short hedge, and writing put  options
on  Futures can serve as a limited long  hedge, using a strategy similar to that
used for writing options on securities, foreign currencies or indices.
 
If the Fund  writes an  option on  a Futures Contract,  it will  be required  to
deposit  initial and variation margin pursuant  to requirements similar to those
applicable to Futures Contracts. Premiums received from the writing of an option
on a Futures Contract are included in the initial margin deposit.
 
The Fund may seek to close out an option position by selling an option  covering
the  same Futures  Contract and  having the  same exercise  price and expiration
date. The  ability to  establish and  close  out positions  on such  options  is
subject to the maintenance of a liquid secondary market.
 
LIMITATIONS  ON  USE  OF FUTURES,  OPTIONS  ON  FUTURES AND  CERTAIN  OPTIONS ON
CURRENCIES
To the extent that  the Fund enters into  Futures Contracts, options on  Futures
Contracts,  and  options  on  foreign  currencies  traded  on  a  CFTC-regulated
exchange, in each case other than for BONA FIDE hedging purposes (as defined  by
the CFTC), the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish those
positions  (excluding the amount  by which options  are "in-the-money") will not
exceed 5% of the  liquidation value of the  Fund's portfolio, after taking  into
account  unrealized profits and unrealized losses  on any contracts the Fund has
entered into. In general, a call option on a Futures Contract is  "in-the-money"
if  the  value of  the  underlying Futures  Contract  exceeds the  strike, i.e.,
exercise,  price  of  the  call;  a   put  option  on  a  futures  contract   is
"in-the-money"  if the value  of the underlying Futures  Contract is exceeded by
the strike price of  the put. This  guideline may be  modified by the  Company's
Board  of Directors without  a shareholder vote. This  limitation does not limit
the percentage of the Fund's assets at risk to 5%.
 
FORWARD CURRENCY CONTRACTS
A Forward Contract is an obligation, usually arranged with a commercial bank  or
other  currency dealer, to purchase or  sell a currency against another currency
at a future date and  price as agreed upon by  the parties. The Fund either  may
accept or make delivery of the currency at the maturity of the Forward Contract.
The  Fund may also, if its contra party  agrees, prior to maturity, enter into a
closing transaction involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting contract.
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 13
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
The Fund engages  in forward  currency transactions  in anticipation  of, or  to
protect  itself against, fluctuations  in exchange rates. The  Fund might sell a
particular  foreign  currency  forward,  for   example,  when  it  holds   bonds
denominated  in a  foreign currency but  anticipates, and seeks  to be protected
against, a decline in the currency against the U.S. dollar. Similarly, the  Fund
might  sell the  U.S. dollar  forward when  it holds  bonds denominated  in U.S.
dollars but anticipates,  and seeks to  be protected against,  a decline in  the
U.S.  dollar relative  to other currencies.  Further, the Fund  might purchase a
currency forward  to "lock  in"  the price  of  securities denominated  in  that
currency that it anticipates purchasing.
 
Forward  Contracts are traded in the interbank market conducted directly between
currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. A Forward
Contract generally has no deposit requirement and no commissions are charged  at
any stage for trades. The Fund will enter into such Forward Contracts with major
U.S.  or foreign banks and securities or currency dealers in accordance with the
guidelines approved by the Company's Board of Directors.
 
The Fund  may enter  into  Forward Contracts  either  with respect  to  specific
transactions  or with  respect to  the Fund's  portfolio positions.  The precise
matching of the Forward  Contract amounts and the  value of specific  securities
generally  will not be possible  because the future value  of such securities in
foreign currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in the value
of those securities between  the date the Forward  Contract is entered into  and
the  date it matures. Accordingly, it may  be necessary for the Fund to purchase
additional foreign  currency on  the  spot (i.e.,  cash)  market (and  bear  the
expense  of such purchase) if the market value  of the security is less than the
amount of foreign currency the Fund is obligated to deliver and if a decision is
made to sell the security and make delivery of the foreign currency. Conversely,
it may be necessary to sell on the spot market some of the foreign currency  the
Fund  is  obligated to  deliver. The  projection  of short-term  currency market
movements is extremely difficult, and  the successful execution of a  short-term
hedging  strategy is highly  uncertain. Forward Contracts  involve the risk that
anticipated currency movements  will not  be predicted  accurately, causing  the
Fund to sustain losses on these contracts and transaction costs.
 
At  or before the  maturity of a Forward  Contract requiring the  Fund to sell a
currency, the  Fund  either may  sell  a portfolio  security  and use  the  sale
proceeds  to make delivery of the currency or retain the security and offset its
contractual obligation to deliver the  currency by purchasing a second  contract
pursuant  to which  the Fund will  obtain, on  the same maturity  date, the same
amount of the currency that it is obligated to deliver. Similarly, the Fund  may
close  out a Forward Contract requiring it  to purchase a specified currency by,
if its contra party agrees, entering into a second contract entitling it to sell
the same amount of the same currency on the maturity date of the first contract.
The Fund would  realize a  gain or loss  as a  result of entering  into such  an
offsetting Forward Contract under either circumstance to the extent the exchange
rate  or rates between the currencies involved moved between the execution dates
of the first contract and the offsetting contract.
 
The cost to the Fund of engaging  in Forward Contracts varies with factors  such
as  the currencies involved,  the length of  the contract period  and the market
conditions then prevailing. Because Forward  Contracts usually are entered  into
on  a principal basis, no  fees or commissions are  involved. The use of Forward
Contracts does  not  eliminate fluctuations  in  the prices  of  the  underlying
securities  the Fund owns or intends to acquire, but it does establish a rate of
exchange in advance. In addition, while Forward Contract sales limit the risk of
loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currencies, they also limit any
potential gain that might result should the value of the currencies increase.
 
FOREIGN CURRENCY STRATEGIES -- SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
The Fund may use options on  foreign currencies, Futures on foreign  currencies,
options  on Futures on foreign currencies and Forward Contracts to hedge against
movements in the values of the foreign currencies in which the Fund's securities
are denominated. Such currency hedges can  protect against price movements in  a
security  that the  Fund owns  or intends  to acquire  that are  attributable to
changes in the value of the currency in which it is denominated. Such hedges  do
not,  however,  protect  against  price movements  in  the  securities  that are
attributable to other causes.
 
The Fund  might seek  to hedge  against changes  in the  value of  a  particular
currency  when no  Futures Contract, Forward  Contract or  option involving that
currency is available or  one of such contracts  is more expensive than  certain
other  contracts. In such cases,  the Fund may hedge  against price movements in
that currency  by entering  into a  contract on  another currency  or basket  of
currencies,  the  values of  which  the Manager  believes  will have  a positive
correlation to the value of the  currency being hedged. The risk that  movements
in  the price of the contract will not correlate perfectly with movements in the
price of the currency being hedged is magnified when this strategy is used.
 
The value of Futures Contracts, options on Futures Contracts, Forward  Contracts
and  options  on  foreign currencies  depends  on  the value  of  the underlying
currency relative  to the  U.S. dollar.  Because foreign  currency  transactions
occurring  in the  interbank market  might involve  substantially larger amounts
than those involved in the use of Futures
 
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                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
Contracts, Forward  Contracts or  options, the  Fund could  be disadvantaged  by
dealing in the odd lot market (generally consisting of transactions of less than
$1  million)  for the  underlying  foreign currencies  at  prices that  are less
favorable than for round lots.
 
There is no systematic reporting of last sale information for foreign currencies
or any  regulatory requirements  that quotations  available through  dealers  or
other market sources be firm or revised on a timely basis. Quotation information
generally  is representative of very large  transactions in the interbank market
and thus  might not  reflect  odd-lot transactions  where  rates might  be  less
favorable.   The   interbank  market   in  foreign   currencies  is   a  global,
round-the-clock market. To the  extent the U.S. options  or Futures markets  are
closed  while the markets for the underlying currencies remain open, significant
price and rate movements might take place in the underlying markets that  cannot
be  reflected in  the markets  for the Futures  contracts or  options until they
reopen.
 
Settlement of Futures Contracts, Forward Contracts and options involving foreign
currencies might  be required  to  take place  within  the country  issuing  the
underlying currency. Thus, the Fund might be required to accept or make delivery
of  the  underlying foreign  currency  in accordance  with  any U.S.  or foreign
regulations regarding the  maintenance of foreign  banking arrangements by  U.S.
residents  and might be required  to pay any fees,  taxes and charges associated
with such delivery assessed in the issuing country.
 
COVER
Transactions using Forward Contracts, Futures Contracts and options (other  than
options that the Fund has purchased) expose the Fund to an obligation to another
party.  The Fund will not enter into any such transactions unless it owns either
(1) an  offsetting  ("covered") position  in  securities, currencies,  or  other
options,  Forward Contracts or  Futures Contracts, or  (2) cash, receivables and
short-term debt securities  with a value  sufficient at all  times to cover  its
potential obligations not covered as provided in (1) above. The Fund will comply
with SEC guidelines regarding cover for these instruments and, if the guidelines
so require, set aside cash or liquid securities.
 
   
Assets  used as cover or  held in a segregated account  cannot be sold while the
position in the corresponding  Forward Contract, Futures  Contract or option  is
open, unless they are replaced with other appropriate assets. If a large portion
of  the Fund's assets are used for cover or otherwise set aside, it could affect
portfolio management or the Fund's ability to meet redemption requests or  other
current obligations.
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The  Fund  may  invest up  to  15% of  its  net assets  in  illiquid securities.
Securities may  be considered  illiquid  if the  Fund cannot  reasonably  expect
within  seven days to sell the securities  for approximately the amount at which
the Fund values such securities. The sale of illiquid securities, if they can be
sold at all,  generally will require  more time and  result in higher  brokerage
charges  or dealer discounts and other selling  expenses than the sale of liquid
securities, such as securities eligible for trading on U.S. securities exchanges
or in the over-the-counter markets. Moreover, restricted securities which may be
illiquid for purposes  of this limitation,  often sell,  if at all,  at a  price
lower than similar securities that are not subject to restrictions on resale.
 
Illiquid  securities include those that are subject to restrictions contained in
the securities  laws of  other countries.  However, securities  that are  freely
marketable  in the country where  they are principally traded,  but would not be
freely marketable in the United States,  will not be considered illiquid.  Where
registration  is required, the Fund  may be obligated to pay  all or part of the
registration expenses and a considerable period  may elapse between the time  of
the  decision to sell and the time the  Fund may be permitted to sell a security
under an effective  registration statement.  If, during such  a period,  adverse
market  conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price
than prevailed when it decided to sell.
 
Not  all  restricted  securities   are  illiquid.  In   recent  years  a   large
institutional   market  has  developed  for  certain  securities  that  are  not
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("1933 Act"),  including
private  placements, repurchase agreements, commercial paper, foreign securities
and  corporate  bonds  and  notes.   These  instruments  are  often   restricted
 
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                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
securities  because  the  securities  are  sold  in  transactions  not requiring
registration. Institutional  investors generally  will not  seek to  sell  these
instruments  to the general public,  but instead will often  depend either on an
efficient institutional  market in  which such  unregistered securities  can  be
readily  resold  or on  an issuer's  ability  to honor  a demand  for repayment.
Therefore, the fact that there are  contractual or legal restrictions on  resale
to  the  general  public  or  certain institutions  is  not  dispositive  of the
liquidity of such investments.
 
Rule 144A under the 1933 Act  establishes a "safe harbor" from the  registration
requirements  of the  1933 Act  for resales  of certain  securities to qualified
institutional buyers.  Institutional  markets  for  restricted  securities  have
developed  as a result of Rule 144A, providing both readily ascertainable values
for restricted securities and the ability to liquidate an investment to  satisfy
share redemption orders. Such markets include automated systems for the trading,
clearance  and  settlement of  unregistered securities  of domestic  and foreign
issuers, such as  the PORTAL  System sponsored  by the  National Association  of
Securities  Dealers,  Inc.  An insufficient  number  of  qualified institutional
buyers interested in purchasing Rule 144A-eligible restricted securities held by
the Fund, however, could  affect adversely the  marketability of such  portfolio
securities  and the Fund might be unable  to dispose of such securities promptly
or at favorable prices.
 
   
With respect  to  liquidity determinations  generally,  the Company's  Board  of
Directors  has  the  ultimate responsibility  for  determining  whether specific
securities, including restricted securities pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933
Act, are liquid  or illiquid.  The Board has  delegated the  function of  making
day-to-day  determinations  of  liquidity  to  the  Manager  in  accordance with
procedures approved by  the Board. The  Manager takes into  account a number  of
factors  in reaching liquidity decisions, including (i) the frequency of trading
in the security, (ii) the  number of dealers who  make quotes for the  security,
(iii)  the  number  of dealers  who  have undertaken  to  make a  market  in the
security, (iv) the number of other  potential purchasers, and (v) the nature  of
the  security and  how trading is  effected (e.g.,  the time needed  to sell the
security, how offers are solicited and  the mechanics of transfer). The  Manager
monitors  the liquidity of  securities in the  Fund's portfolio and periodically
reports on such decisions to the Board.
    
 
FOREIGN SECURITIES
    POLITICAL, SOCIAL AND  ECONOMIC RISKS. Investing  in securities of  non-U.S.
companies may entail additional risks due to the potential political, social and
economic  instability  of  certain  countries and  the  risks  of expropriation,
nationalization, confiscation  or  the  imposition of  restrictions  on  foreign
investment,  convertibility of currencies into  U.S. dollars and on repatriation
of capital  invested. In  the event  of such  expropriation, nationalization  or
other  confiscation by any country, the Fund could lose its entire investment in
any such country.
 
In addition,  even though  opportunities for  investment may  exist in  emerging
markets,  any change in the  leadership or policies of  the governments of those
countries or  in  the leadership  or  policies  of any  other  government  which
exercises  a significant influence over those  countries, may halt the expansion
of or reverse the  liberalization of foreign  investment policies now  occurring
and thereby eliminate any investment opportunities which may currently exist.
 
Investors should note that upon the accession to power of authoritarian regimes,
the  governments of a number of Latin American countries previously expropriated
large quantities of  real and personal  property similar to  the property  which
will  be represented  by the  securities purchased  by the  Fund. The  claims of
property owners against those governments were never finally settled. There  can
be  no assurance  that any property  represented by securities  purchased by the
Fund will not also be  expropriated, nationalized, or otherwise confiscated.  If
such  confiscation were to occur,  the Fund could lose  its entire investment in
such countries. The Fund's investments would similarly be adversely affected  by
exchange control regulation in any of those countries.
 
   
    RELIGIOUS  AND ETHNIC  STABILITY. Certain  countries in  which the  Fund may
invest  may  have  groups  that  advocate  radical  religious  or  revolutionary
philosophies or support ethnic independence. Any disturbance on the part of such
individuals could carry the potential for widespread destruction or confiscation
of  property owned by individuals and entities foreign to such country and could
cause the loss of the Fund's investment in those countries. Instability may also
result from,  among  other things,  (i)  authoritarian governments  or  military
involvement  in  political and  economic  decision-making, including  changes in
government through extra-constitutional  means, (ii)  popular unrest  associated
with  demands for improved political, economic  and social conditions, and (iii)
hostile relations with  neighboring or other  countries. Such political,  social
and  economic instability could disrupt the principal financial markets in which
the Fund invests and adversely affect the value of the Fund's assets.
    
 
   
    FOREIGN  INVESTMENT  RESTRICTIONS.  Certain  countries  prohibit  or  impose
substantial  restrictions on investments in  their capital markets, particularly
their equity markets, by foreign entities  such as the Fund. These  restrictions
or  controls may at times limit or preclude investment in certain securities and
may increase the cost and expenses  of the Fund. For example, certain  countries
require prior governmental approval before investments by foreign persons may be
made or may limit
    
 
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<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
the  amount of investment by  foreign persons in a  particular company, or limit
the investment by foreign persons  to only a specific  class of securities of  a
company  that may  have less advantageous  terms than securities  of the company
available for purchase by nationals. Moreover, the national policies of  certain
countries  may restrict investment opportunities in issuers or industries deemed
sensitive  to   national  interests.   In  addition,   some  countries   require
governmental  approval for the repatriation of investment income, capital or the
proceeds of securities sales by foreign  investors. If there is a  deterioration
in  a country's balance of  payments or for other  reasons, a country may impose
restrictions on foreign capital remittances abroad. The Fund could be  adversely
affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required governmental approval
for  repatriation, as well as by the  application to it of other restrictions on
investments.
 
    NON-UNIFORM CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STANDARDS AND GOVERNMENTAL
REGULATION. Foreign companies are subject to accounting, auditing and  financial
standards  and requirements that  differ in some  cases significantly from those
applicable to U.S. companies. In particular, the assets, liabilities and profits
appearing on the  financial statements  of such a  company may  not reflect  its
financial  position or results of operations in  the way they would be reflected
had such financial statements  been prepared in  accordance with U.S.  generally
accepted accounting principles. Most of the securities held by the Fund will not
be  registered with the SEC  or regulators of any  foreign country, nor will the
issuers thereof be subject to the SEC's reporting requirements. Thus, there will
be less available information concerning most foreign issuers of securities held
by the Fund than  is available concerning U.S.  issuers. In instances where  the
financial  statements  of an  issuer are  not deemed  to reflect  accurately the
financial situation of the  issuer, the Manager will  take appropriate steps  to
evaluate  the proposed investment,  which may include  on-site inspection of the
issuer, interviews  with  its  management and  consultations  with  accountants,
bankers  and other specialists.  There is substantially  less publicly available
information about foreign companies than there are reports and ratings published
about U.S.  companies  and  the  U.S.  government.  In  addition,  where  public
information  is  available,  it  may  be  less  reliable  than  such information
regarding U.S.  issuers.  Issuers of  securities  in foreign  jurisdictions  are
generally  not subject to the same degree of regulation as are U.S. issuers with
respect to such matters as restrictions on market manipulation, insider  trading
rules, shareholder proxy requirements and timely disclosure of information.
 
    CURRENCY  FLUCTUATIONS. Because  the Fund, under  normal circumstances, will
invest a substantial portion  of its total assets  in the securities of  foreign
issuers which are denominated in foreign currencies, the strength or weakness of
the  U.S. dollar against  such foreign currencies  will account for  part of the
Fund's investment performance. A decline in the value of any particular currency
against the U.S. dollar  will cause a  decline in the U.S.  dollar value of  the
Fund's  holdings  of  securities  and cash  denominated  in  such  currency and,
therefore, will cause an overall decline in  the Fund's net asset value and  any
net  investment  income and  capital gains  derived from  such securities  to be
distributed in U.S. dollars to shareholders of the Fund. Moreover, if the  value
of  the foreign currencies in which the  Fund receives its income falls relative
to the  U.S.  dollar between  receipt  of the  income  and the  making  of  Fund
distributions, the Fund may be required to liquidate securities in order to make
distributions  if  the Fund  has  insufficient cash  in  U. S.  dollars  to meet
distribution requirements.
 
The rate of exchange between the U.S. dollar and other currencies is  determined
by  several factors including  the supply and  demand for particular currencies,
central bank efforts to support particular currencies, the movement of  interest
rates,  the pace of business activity in  certain other countries and the United
States, and other economic and financial conditions affecting the world economy.
 
Although the Fund values its assets daily in terms of U.S. dollars, it does  not
intend  to convert  its holdings  of foreign currencies  into U.S.  dollars on a
daily basis. The  Fund will do  so from time  to time, and  investors should  be
aware  of the costs of currency conversion. Although foreign exchange dealers do
not charge  a  fee  for conversion,  they  do  realize a  profit  based  on  the
difference  ("spread") between the  prices at which they  are buying and selling
various currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer  to sell a foreign currency to  the
Fund  at one  rate, while  offering a  lesser rate  of exchange  should the Fund
desire to sell that currency to the dealer.
 
    ADVERSE MARKET CHARACTERISTICS.  Securities of many  foreign issuers may  be
less  liquid and their  prices more volatile than  securities of comparable U.S.
issuers. In  addition,  foreign securities  markets  and brokers  generally  are
subject  to  less governmental  supervision and  regulation  than in  the United
States, and  foreign  securities  transactions  usually  are  subject  to  fixed
commissions,  which  generally are  higher than  negotiated commissions  on U.S.
transactions. In addition,  foreign securities  transactions may  be subject  to
difficulties  associated  with the  settlement of  such transactions.  Delays in
settlement could  result  in temporary  periods  when  assets of  the  Fund  are
uninvested  and no return is  earned thereon. The inability  of the Fund to make
intended security purchases due to settlement  problems could cause the Fund  to
miss  attractive opportunities. Inability to dispose of a portfolio security due
to settlement  problems  either  could result  in  losses  to the  Fund  due  to
subsequent  declines in  value of  the portfolio  security or,  if the  Fund has
entered into a contract to sell
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 17
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
the security, could result in possible  liability to the purchaser. The  Manager
will  consider such difficulties  when determining the  allocation of the Fund's
assets, although the Manager does not believe that such difficulties will have a
material adverse effect on the Fund's portfolio trading activities.
 
The Fund may  use foreign  custodians, which may  involve risks  in addition  to
those  related to the  use of U.S. custodians.  Such risks include uncertainties
relating to (i)  determining and monitoring  the financial strength,  reputation
and  standing of the foreign  custodian, (ii) maintaining appropriate safeguards
to protect the Fund's investments  and (iii) possible difficulties in  obtaining
and enforcing judgments against such custodians.
 
   
    WITHHOLDING  TAXES.  The Fund's  net  investment income  from  securities of
foreign issuers may  be subject  to withholding  taxes by  the foreign  issuer's
country,  thereby reducing that  income or delaying the  receipt of income where
those taxes may be recaptured. See "Taxes."
    
 
    CONCENTRATION. To the extent the Fund  invests a significant portion of  its
assets in securities of issuers located in a particular country or region of the
world,  it may be subject to greater risks and may experience greater volatility
than a fund that is more broadly diversified geographically.
 
   
    SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS  AFFECTING  EMERGING  MARKETS.  Investing  in  equity
securities  of  companies  in emerging  markets  may entail  greater  risks than
investing in equity securities in  developed countries. These risks include  (i)
less  social, political and  economic stability; (ii) the  small current size of
the markets for such securities and  the currently low or nonexistent volume  of
trading,  which result in a  lack of liquidity and  in greater price volatility;
(iii) certain  national  policies  which  may  restrict  the  Fund's  investment
opportunities,  including restrictions  on investment  in issuers  or industries
deemed sensitive  to national  interests;  (iv) foreign  taxation; and  (v)  the
absence  of  developed structures  governing  private or  foreign  investment or
allowing for judicial redress for injury to private property.
    
 
   
Investing in the securities of companies in emerging markets may entail  special
risks  relating to potential political and economic instability and the risks of
expropriation, nationalization, confiscation or  the imposition of  restrictions
on  foreign investment, convertibility into U.S.  dollars and on repatriation of
capital invested. In the event  of such expropriation, nationalization or  other
confiscation  by any country, the  Fund could lose its  entire investment in any
such country.
    
 
   
Emerging securities  markets are  substantially  smaller, less  developed,  less
liquid  and more volatile than the major securities markets. The limited size of
emerging securities markets and limited trading value in issuers compared to the
volume of  trading in  U.S. securities  could  cause prices  to be  erratic  for
reasons  apart  from factors  that  affect the  quality  of the  securities. For
example, limited market size may cause prices to be unduly influenced by traders
who control  large  positions.  Adverse publicity  and  investors'  perceptions,
whether  or  not  based on  fundamental  analysis,  may decrease  the  value and
liquidity of portfolio  securities, especially  in these  markets. In  addition,
securities traded in certain emerging markets may be subject to risks due to the
inexperience  of financial intermediaries, a lack of modern technology, the lack
of a sufficient capital base to expand business operations, and the  possibility
of permanent or temporary termination of trading.
    
 
   
Settlement  mechanisms in emerging securities markets  may be less efficient and
reliable than in more developed markets.  In such emerging securities there  may
be share registration and delivery delays or failures.
    
 
   
Many emerging market countries have experienced substantial, and in some periods
extremely  high,  rates  of  inflation  for  many  years.  Inflation  and  rapid
fluctuations in inflation rates and corresponding currency devaluations have had
and may  continue to  have  negative effects  on  the economies  and  securities
markets of certain emerging market countries.
    
 
    SPECIAL  CONSIDERATIONS AFFECTING WESTERN  EUROPEAN COUNTRIES. The countries
that are members of the European Economic Community ("Common Market")  (Belgium,
Denmark,  France,  Germany,  Greece,  Ireland,  Italy,  Luxembourg, Netherlands,
Portugal, Spain, and the United  Kingdom) eliminated certain import tariffs  and
quotas  and  other trade  barriers with  respect  to one  another over  the past
several years. The Manager  believes that this  deregulation should improve  the
prospects  for economic growth  in many Western  European countries. Among other
things, the  deregulation could  enable companies  domiciled in  one country  to
avail  themselves of lower labor costs existing in other countries. In addition,
this deregulation could benefit  companies domiciled in  one country by  opening
additional  markets  for their  goods and  services  in other  countries. Since,
however, it is not clear  what the exact form or  effect of these Common  Market
reforms  will be on business in Western  Europe, it is impossible to predict the
long-term impact of the implementation of these programs on the securities owned
by the Fund.
 
   
    SPECIAL   CONSIDERATIONS    AFFECTING    RUSSIA   AND    EASTERN    EUROPEAN
COUNTRIES.  Investing in Russia  and Eastern European  countries involves a high
degree  of  risk  and  special  considerations  not  typically  associated  with
investing  in  the  U.S.  securities markets  and  should  be  considered highly
speculative.  Such  risks  include  the   following:  (1)  delays  in   settling
    
 
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                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
portfolio  transactions and  risk of  loss arising  out of  the system  of share
registration and  custody;  (2) the  risk  that it  may  be impossible  or  more
difficult  than in  other countries  to obtain  and/or enforce  a judgement; (3)
pervasiveness of  corruption and  crime  in the  economic system;  (4)  currency
exchange rate volatility and the lack of available currency hedging instruments;
(5)  higher rates of  inflation (including the risk  of social unrest associated
with periods of hyper-inflation) and high unemployment; (6) controls on  foreign
investment  and local practices disfavoring foreign investors and limitations on
repatriation of  invested capital,  profits  and dividends,  and on  the  Fund's
ability to exchange local currencies for U.S. dollars; (7) political instability
and  social unrest and violence; (8) the risk that the governments of Russia and
Eastern European countries may  decide not to continue  to support the  economic
reform  programs  implemented  recently  and  could  follow  radically different
political and/or  economic policies  to the  detriment of  investors,  including
non-market-oriented  policies such as  the support of  certain industries at the
expense of other  sectors or  investors, or a  return to  the centrally  planned
economy that existed when such countries had a communist form of government; (9)
the financial condition of companies in these countries, including large amounts
of  inter-company debt which may  create a payments crisis  on a national scale;
(10) dependency on  exports and  the corresponding  importance of  international
trade; (11) the risk that the tax system in these countries will not be reformed
to  prevent inconsistent, retroactive  and/or exorbitant taxation;  and (12) the
underdeveloped nature of the securities markets.
 
    SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS AFFECTING JAPAN. Japan's economic growth has declined
significantly since 1990. The general government position has deteriorated as  a
result  of weakening economic  growth and stimulative  measures taken to support
economic activity and to  restore financial stability.  Although the decline  in
interest   rates  and  fiscal  stimulation   packages  have  helped  to  contain
recessionary forces, uncertainties remain. Japan is also heavily dependent  upon
international  trade, so its  economy is especially  sensitive to trade barriers
and disputes.  Japan has  had  difficult relations  with its  trading  partners,
particularly the United States, where the trade imbalance is the greatest. It is
possible  that  trade sanctions  and other  protectionist measures  could impact
Japan adversely in both the short and the long term.
 
The common  stocks  of many  Japanese  companies trade  at  high  price-earnings
ratios.  Differences  in accounting  methods make  it  difficult to  compare the
earnings of  Japanese companies  with  those of  companies in  other  countries,
especially  in the  United States  In general,  however, reported  net income in
Japan is  understated relative  to U.S.  accounting standards  and this  is  one
reason why price-earnings ratios of the stocks of Japanese companies have tended
historically  to be  higher than  those for  U.S. stocks.  In addition, Japanese
companies have  tended to  have  higher growth  rates  than U.S.  companies  and
Japanese  interest rates  have generally been  lower than in  the United States,
both of  which  factors  tend to  result  in  lower discount  rates  and  higher
price-earnings ratios in Japan than in the United States.
 
The  Japanese securities  markets are  less regulated  than those  in the United
States. Evidence has emerged from time to time of distortion of market prices to
serve political or other purposes.  Shareholders' rights are not always  equally
enforced.  In addition, Japan's banking  industry is undergoing problems related
to bad loans and declining values in real estate.
 
    SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS AFFECTING  PACIFIC REGION COUNTRIES.  Certain of  the
risks  associated with international investments  are heightened for investments
in Pacific region  countries. For  example, some  of the  currencies of  Pacific
region  countries  have experienced  steady  devaluations relative  to  the U.S.
dollar, and major  adjustments have been  made periodically in  certain of  such
currencies. Certain countries, such as India, face serious exchange constraints.
 
   
Many  of the Asia Pacific region countries may be subject to a greater degree of
social, political  and economic  instability  than is  the  case in  the  United
States. Such instability may result from, among other things, the following: (i)
authoritarian  governments  or military  involvement  in political  and economic
decision making, and changes  in government through extra-constitutional  means;
(ii) popular unrest associated with demands for improved political, economic and
social  conditions;  (iii) internal  insurgencies;  (iv) hostile  relations with
neighboring countries; and (v) ethnic,  religious and racial disaffection.  Such
social,  political  and  economic instability  could  significantly  disrupt the
principal financial markets in which the  Fund invests and adversely affect  the
value  of  the  Fund's  assets.  In  addition,  asset  expropriations  or future
confiscatory levels of taxation possibly may affect the Fund.
    
 
   
Several of the  Asia Pacific region  countries have,  or in the  past have  had,
hostile  relationships  with neighboring  nations  or have  experienced internal
insurgency. Thailand has  experienced border conflicts  with Laos and  Cambodia,
and India is engaged in border disputes with several of its neighbors, including
China  and Pakistan. An uneasy truce exists between North Korea and South Korea,
and the recurrence of hostilities remains possible. Reunification of North Korea
and South Korea could have a detrimental  effect on the economy of South  Korea.
Also,  China  continues  to  claim  sovereignty  over  Taiwan  and  recently has
conducted military maneuvers near Taiwan.
    
 
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The economies of most of the Asia Pacific region countries are heavily dependent
upon international  trade  and  are accordingly  affected  by  protective  trade
barriers  and the economic conditions of their trading partners, principally the
United States, Japan,  China and the  European Community. The  enactment by  the
United  States  or  other  principal  trading  partners  of  protectionist trade
legislation, reduction of foreign investment in the local economies and  general
declines  in  the  international  securities markets  could  have  a significant
adverse effect upon the securities markets of the Asia Pacific region countries.
In addition,  the  economies of  some  of  the Asia  Pacific  region  countries,
Australia and Indonesia, for example, are vulnerable to weakness in world prices
for their commodity exports, including crude oil.
 
   
China  recently assumed sovereignty over Hong  Kong in July 1997. Although China
has committed by treaty to preserve the economic and social freedoms enjoyed  in
Hong  Kong for fifty years, the continuation of the current form of the economic
system in Hong Kong will  depend on the actions of  the government of China.  In
addition,  such assumption of sovereignty has increased sensitivity in Hong Kong
to political developments and  statements by public  figures in China.  Business
confidence  in  Hong  Kong, therefore,  can  be significantly  affected  by such
developments and  statements, which  in  turn can  affect markets  and  business
performance.
    
 
   
In  addition, the Chinese sovereignty  over Hong Kong also  presents a risk that
the Hong Kong dollar will  be devalued and a risk  of possible loss of  investor
confidence  in the Hong Kong markets and dollar. However, factors exist that are
likely to mitigate this risk. First, China has stated its intention to implement
a "one country, two systems"  policy, which would preserve monetary  sovereignty
and leave control in the hands of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority ("HKMA").
    
 
   
Second,  fixed  rate  parity  with  the  U.S.  dollar  is  seen  as  critical to
maintaining investors'  confidence  in  the transition  to  Chinese  rule,  and,
therefore, it is anticipated that, if international investors lose confidence in
Hong  Kong  dollar assets,  the HKMA  would intervene  to support  the currency,
though such  intervention cannot  be  assured. Third,  Hong Kong's  and  China's
sizable  combined foreign exchange reserve  may be used to  support the value of
the Hong Kong dollar, provided that China does not appropriate such reserves for
other uses, which is not anticipated but cannot be assured. Finally, China would
be likely to experience significant adverse political and economic  consequences
if  confidence  in the  Hong Kong  dollar and  the territory  assets were  to be
endangered.
    
 
   
    SPECIAL  CONSIDERATIONS  AFFECTING  LATIN  AMERICAN  COUNTRIES.  Most  Latin
American  countries have experienced substantial,  and in some periods extremely
high, rates of  inflation for many  years. Inflation and  rapid fluctuations  in
inflation  rates have had and may continue  to have very negative effects on the
economies and securities  markets of certain  Latin American countries.  Certain
Latin  American countries are also among the largest debtors to commercial banks
and foreign governments. At times certain Latin American countries have declared
moratoria on  the payment  of principal  and/or interest  on external  debt.  In
addition,  certain  Latin  American  securities  markets  have  experienced high
volatility in recent years.
    
 
   
Latin American countries may  also close certain sectors  of their economies  to
equity  investments  by foreigners.  Further due  to  the absence  of securities
markets and  publicly  owned corporations  and  due to  restrictions  on  direct
investment  by foreign entities,  investments may only be  made in certain Latin
American  countries  solely   or  primarily   through  governmentally   approved
investment vehicles or companies.
    
 
   
Certain Latin American countries may have managed currencies that are maintained
at  artificial levels to the U.S. dollar rather than at levels determined by the
market. This type  of system can  lead to  sudden and large  adjustments in  the
currency  which, in turn, can  have a disruptive and  negative effect on foreign
investors. For example, in late  1994, the value of  the Mexican peso lost  more
than one-third of its value relative to the U.S. dollar.
    
 
    SOVEREIGN  DEBT. Sovereign Debt generally offers high yields, reflecting not
only perceived  credit risk,  but also  the  need to  compete with  other  local
investments  in domestic financial markets. Certain Latin American countries are
among the  largest  debtors  to  commercial banks  and  foreign  governments.  A
sovereign debtor's willingness or ability to repay principal and interest due in
a  timely  manner  may  be  affected by,  among  other  factors,  its  cash flow
situation, the extent of  its foreign reserves,  the availability of  sufficient
foreign  exchange on the  date a payment is  due, the relative  size of the debt
service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor's policy  towards
the  International  Monetary  Fund  and the  political  constraints  to  which a
sovereign debtor  may  be  subject.  Sovereign  debtors  may  default  on  their
Sovereign   Debt.  Sovereign   debtors  may   also  be   dependent  on  expected
disbursements from foreign governments, multilateral agencies and others  abroad
to reduce principal and interest arrearages on their debt. The commitment on the
part of these governments, agencies and others to make such disbursements may be
conditioned  on a sovereign  debtor's implementation of  economic reforms and/or
economic performance  and  the  timely service  of  such  debtor's  obligations.
Failure  to implement such reforms, achieve  such levels of economic performance
or repay principal or interest when due, may result
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 20
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
in the cancellation  of such  third parties' commitments  to lend  funds to  the
sovereign  debtor, which may further impair such debtor's ability or willingness
to timely service its debts.
 
   
In recent years, some of the Latin American countries in which the Fund  expects
to  invest have encountered difficulties in servicing their Sovereign Debt. Some
of these  countries  have withheld  payments  of interest  and/or  principal  of
Sovereign  Debt. These difficulties  have also led  to agreements to restructure
external debt obligations -- in particular, commercial bank loans, typically  by
rescheduling  principal  payments,  reducing interest  rates  and  extending new
credits to finance interest payments on existing debt. In the future, holders of
Sovereign Debt may be requested to  participate in similar rescheduling of  such
debt.
    
 
The  ability  of Latin  American governments  to make  timely payments  on their
Sovereign Debt is  likely to be  influenced strongly by  a country's balance  of
trade  and its access to trade and  other international credits. A country whose
exports are concentrated in a few  commodities could be vulnerable to a  decline
in  the  international prices  of  one or  more  of such  commodities. Increased
protectionism on the part of a  country's trading partners could also  adversely
affect its exports.
 
    NON-UNIFORM CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STANDARDS AND GOVERNMENTAL
REGULATION.  Foreign companies are subject to accounting, auditing and financial
standards and requirements that differ, in some cases significantly, from  those
applicable to U.S. companies. In particular, the assets, liabilities and profits
appearing  on the  financial statements  of such a  company may  not reflect its
financial position or results of operations  in the way they would be  reflected
had  such financial statements  been prepared in  accordance with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles. Most of the securities held by the Fund will not
be registered with the SEC  or regulators of any  foreign country, nor will  the
issuers thereof be subject to the SEC's reporting requirements. Thus, there will
be less available information concerning most foreign issuers of securities held
by  the Fund than is  available concerning U.S. issuers.  In instances where the
financial statements  of an  issuer are  not deemed  to reflect  accurately  the
financial  situation of the  issuer, the Manager will  take appropriate steps to
evaluate the proposed investment,  which may include  on-site inspection of  the
issuer,  interviews  with  its management  and  consultations  with accountants,
bankers and other  specialists. There is  substantially less publicly  available
information about foreign companies than there are reports and ratings published
about  U.S.  companies  and  the  U.S.  government.  In  addition,  where public
information is  available,  it  may  be  less  reliable  than  such  information
regarding  U.S. issuers. In addition, for companies that keep accounting records
in local currency, inflation accounting  rules in some Latin American  countries
require,  for  both  tax  and  accounting  purposes,  that  certain  assets  and
liabilities be restated on the company's balance sheet in order to express items
in terms  of currency  of constant  purchasing power.  Inflation accounting  may
indirectly  generate  losses or  profits. There  is substantially  less publicly
available  information  about  foreign   companies,  including  Latin   American
companies,  and  the  governments of  Latin  American countries  than  there are
reports and  ratings published  about U.S.  companies and  the U.S.  government.
Issuers  of securities in foreign jurisdictions are generally not subject to the
same degree of regulation as  are U.S. issuers with  respect to such matters  as
restrictions  on market  manipulation, insider trading  rules, shareholder proxy
requirements and timely disclosure of information.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                             INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The Fund's investment objectives  may not be changed  without the approval of  a
majority of its outstanding voting securities. As defined in the 1940 Act and as
used  in  this Statement  of Additional  Information a  "majority of  the Fund's
outstanding voting  securities"  means the  lesser  of  (i) 67%  of  the  shares
represented  at a meeting at  which more than 50%  of the outstanding shares are
represented and (ii) more than 50%  of the outstanding shares. In addition,  the
Fund  has adopted the following fundamental  investment limitations that may not
be changed without approval of a majority of its outstanding voting securities.
 
The Fund may not:
 
        (1) issue senior  securities or  borrow money  in amounts  in excess  of
    those permitted under the 1940 Act;
 
        (2) make an investment in any one industry if the investment would cause
    the aggregate value of all investments in such industry to equal 25% or more
    of  the Fund's total assets; provided that this limitation does not apply to
    investments in securities issued or  guaranteed by the U.S. government,  its
    agencies or instrumentalities;
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 21
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
        (3)  purchase  securities  on  margin,  except  for  short-term  credits
    necessary for clearance of portfolio  transactions and except that the  Fund
    may  make margin  deposits in  connection with  its use  of options, futures
    contracts, options  on futures  contracts,  forward currency  contracts  and
    other financial instruments;
 
        (4)  engage in the business of underwriting securities of other issuers,
    except to the extent that, in  connection with the disposition of  portfolio
    securities,  the Fund may be deemed  an underwriter under federal securities
    laws and except that the Fund may write options;
 
        (5) make short sales of securities or maintain a short position,  except
    that  the Fund may  maintain short positions  in connection with  its use of
    options,  futures  contracts,  options  on  futures  contracts  and  forward
    currency contracts and may sell short "against the box;"
 
        (6)  purchase  or  sell  real  estate  (including  real  estate  limited
    partnership interest),  provided  that the  Fund  may invest  in  securities
    secured  by, or issued by companies that  invest in real estate or interests
    therein;
 
        (7) purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, except that the
    Fund may  sell  commodities received  upon  the exercise  of  warrants,  may
    purchase  or  sell  financial  and currency  futures  contracts  and options
    thereon, may purchase and sell forward contracts, may engage in transactions
    in  foreign  currencies  and  may  purchase  or  sell  options  on   foreign
    currencies; or
 
        (8)  make  loans,  except  through loans  or  portfolio  instruments and
    repurchase agreements, provided  that for purposes  of this restriction  the
    acquisition  of  bonds, debentures  or other  debt instruments  or interests
    therein and  investment  in government  obligations,  short-term  commercial
    paper,  certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances shall not be deemed
    to be the making of a loan.
 
For purposes of the concentration policy of the Fund contained in limitation (2)
above, the Fund intends  to comply with the  SEC staff position that  securities
issued  or guaranteed  as to  principal and interest  by any  one single foreign
government,  or  by  all  supranational  organizations  in  the  aggregate,  are
considered to be securities of issuers in the same industry.
 
   
In  addition, to  comply with  federal tax  requirements for  qualification as a
"regulated investment company" ("RIC"), the  Fund's investments will be  limited
so that, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, (a) not more than 25%
of  the value of its total assets is  invested in the securities (other than U.S
government securities or the securities of other RICs) of any one issuer and (b)
at least 50% of the  value of its total assets  is represented by cash and  cash
items,   U.S.  government  securities,  securities   of  other  RICs  and  other
securities, with these other securities limited,  in respect of any one  issuer,
to  an amount that does not exceed 5% of  the value of its total assets and that
does not represent more than 10%  of the issuer's outstanding voting  securities
("Diversification  Requirements"). These tax-related  limitations may be changed
by the  Company's Board  of Directors  to the  extent necessary  to comply  with
changes to applicable tax requirements.
    
 
The  Fund's other  investment policies and  limitations described  herein may be
changed by  the  Company's  Board of  Directors  without  shareholder  approval,
provided  that any such policies  and limitations as so  amended do not conflict
with the Fund's fundamental investment limitations.
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 22
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                             EXECUTION OF PORTFOLIO
                                  TRANSACTIONS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Subject to policies established by the Company's Board of Directors, the Manager
is responsible for the  execution of the Fund's  portfolio transactions and  the
selection of broker/dealers who execute such transactions on behalf of the Fund.
In  executing portfolio transactions, the Manager seeks the best net results for
the Fund,  taking  into  account  such  factors  as  the  price  (including  the
applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of the order, difficulty
of  execution  and operational  facilities of  the  firm involved.  Although the
Manager generally  seeks reasonably  competitive commission  rates and  spreads,
payment  of the lowest  commission or spread is  not necessarily consistent with
the best net results. While the Fund may engage in soft dollar arrangements  for
research  services, as described below, the Fund  has no obligation to deal with
any broker/dealer  or group  of  broker/dealers in  the execution  of  portfolio
transactions.
 
Debt  securities generally are traded  on a "net" basis  with a dealer acting as
principal for its own account without a stated commission, although the price of
the security  usually  includes  a  profit  to  the  dealer.  U.S.  and  foreign
government  securities and money market instruments  generally are traded in the
OTC markets. In underwritten  offerings, securities usually  are purchased at  a
fixed  price which  includes an  amount of  compensation to  the underwriter. On
occasion, securities may be purchased directly from an issuer, in which case  no
commissions  or discounts  are paid.  Broker/dealers may  receive commissions on
futures, currency and options transactions.
 
Consistent with the  interests of the  Fund, the Manager  may select brokers  to
execute  the Fund's  portfolio transactions,  on the  basis of  the research and
brokerage services they provide to the Manager for its use in managing the  Fund
and  its other advisory accounts. Such services may include furnishing analyses,
reports and information concerning  issuers, industries, securities,  geographic
regions,  economic factors  and trends,  portfolio strategy,  and performance of
accounts;  and  effecting  securities  transactions  and  performing   functions
incidental  thereto (such as  clearance and settlement).  Research and brokerage
services received from such brokers are in addition to, and not in lieu of,  the
services  required to be performed by  the Manager under the Management Contract
(defined below). A commission paid to such brokers may be higher than that which
another qualified broker would have charged for effecting the same  transaction,
provided  that  the Manager  determines in  good faith  that such  commission is
reasonable in  terms  either  of  that particular  transaction  or  the  overall
responsibility  of the Manager  to the Fund  and its other  clients and that the
total commissions  paid  by the  Fund  will be  reasonable  in relation  to  the
benefits  received by the Fund over the long term. Research services may also be
received from dealers who execute Fund transactions in OTC markets.
 
The Manager  may  allocate brokerage  transactions  to broker/dealers  who  have
entered  into arrangements under which the  broker/dealer allocates a portion of
the commissions paid by the Fund toward payment of the Fund's expenses, such  as
transfer agent and custodian fees.
 
Investment  decisions for the Fund and  for other investment accounts managed by
the Manager  are  made  independently  of  each  other  in  light  of  differing
conditions.  However, the same investment decision  occasionally may be made for
two or more  of such accounts  including the Fund.  In such cases,  simultaneous
transactions  may occur. Purchases  or sales are  then allocated as  to price or
amount in a manner deemed fair and equitable to all accounts involved. While  in
some cases this practice could have a detrimental effect upon the price or value
of  the security as  far as the Fund  is concerned, in  other cases, the Manager
believes that coordination and the ability to participate in volume transactions
will be beneficial to the Fund.
 
Under a policy adopted by the Company's  Board of Directors, and subject to  the
policy   of  obtaining  the  best  net  results,  the  Manager  may  consider  a
broker/dealer's sale of the shares of the Fund and the other funds for which the
Manager serves as investment  manager in selecting brokers  and dealers for  the
execution  of portfolio transactions. This policy does not imply a commitment to
execute portfolio transactions  through all broker/dealers  that sell shares  of
the Fund and such other funds.
 
The   Fund   contemplates   purchasing  most   foreign   equity   securities  in
over-the-counter markets or stock  exchanges located in  the countries in  which
the  respective principal offices  of the issuers of  the various securities are
located, if that  is the best  available market. The  fixed commissions paid  in
connection  with most such foreign stock  transactions generally are higher than
negotiated commissions on U.S. transactions. There generally is less  government
supervision and regulation
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 23
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
of  foreign  stock exchanges  and  brokers than  in  the United  States. Foreign
security settlements may  in some  instances be  subject to  delays and  related
administrative uncertainties.
 
Foreign  equity securities may  be held by the  Fund in the  form of ADRs, ADSs,
EDRs, CDRs or securities convertible into foreign equity securities. ADRs, ADSs,
EDRs and CDRs may be listed on stock exchanges, or traded in the OTC markets  in
the  United States or  Europe, as the  case may be.  ADRs, like other securities
traded in the United States, will be subject to negotiated commission rates. The
foreign and domestic debt securities and  money market instruments in which  the
Fund may invest generally are traded in the OTC markets.
 
The Fund contemplates that, consistent with the policy of obtaining the best net
results,  brokerage transactions may be conducted through certain companies that
are members of the Liechtenstein Global Trust. The Company's Board of  Directors
has  adopted procedures  in conformity  with Rule  17e-1 under  the 1940  Act to
ensure that all brokerage commissions paid to such affiliates are reasonable and
fair in  the  context of  the  market in  which  they are  operating.  Any  such
transactions  will be effected and related  compensation paid only in accordance
with applicable SEC regulations.
 
   
For the fiscal  years ended December  31, 1996, 1995  and 1994, the  Predecessor
Fund   paid  aggregate  brokerage  commissions  of  $1,580,879,  $1,311,090  and
$2,832,000, respectively. ["Affiliated" brokerage commissions?].
    
 
PORTFOLIO TRADING AND TURNOVER
   
The Fund engages in  portfolio trading when the  Manager has concluded that  the
sale of a security owned by the Fund and/ or the purchase of another security of
better  value can  enhance principal and/or  increase income. A  security may be
sold to avoid  any prospective decline  in market  value, or a  security may  be
purchased  in  anticipation  of  a  market  rise.  Consistent  with  the  Fund's
investment objective, a  security also  may be  sold and  a comparable  security
purchased  coincidentally in order to take advantage of what is believed to be a
disparity in the normal yield and price relationship between the two securities.
Although the Fund does not intend generally to trade for short-term profits, the
securities in the Fund's portfolio will be sold whenever management believes  it
is  appropriate to  do so,  without regard  to the  length of  time a particular
security may have been held. Portfolio  turnover rate is calculated by  dividing
the  lesser of sales or purchases of  portfolio securities by the Fund's average
month-end portfolio  values,  excluding short-term  investments.  The  portfolio
turnover  rate will not  be a limiting  factor when the  Manager deems portfolio
changes appropriate. Higher portfolio turnover involves correspondingly  greater
brokerage  commissions  and  other transaction  costs  that the  Fund  will bear
directly and may result in the realization of net capital gains that are taxable
when distributed to the Fund's shareholders. For the fiscal years ended December
31, 1996 and 1995, the Predecessor Fund's portfolio turnover rates were 138% and
75%, respectively.
    
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 24
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                            DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE
                                    OFFICERS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The Company's Directors and Executive Officers are listed below.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME, POSITION(S) WITH THE               PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS AND BUSINESS
COMPANY AND ADDRESS                      EXPERIENCE FOR PAST 5 YEARS
- ---------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>
William J. Guilfoyle*, 39                President, GT Global since 1995; Director, GT Global since 1991; Senior Vice President and
Trustee, Chairman of the Board and       Director of Sales and Marketing, GT Global from May 1992 to April 1995; Vice President and
President                                Director of Marketing, GT Global from 1987 to 1992; Director, Liechtenstein Global Trust
50 California Street                     AG (holding company of the various international LGT companies) Advisory Board since
San Francisco, CA 94111                  January 1996; Director, G.T. Global Insurance Agency ("G.T. Insurance") since 1996;
                                         President and Chief Executive Officer, G.T. Insurance since 1995; Senior Vice President
                                         and Director, Sales and Marketing, G.T. Insurance from April 1995 to November 1995; Senior
                                         Vice President, Retail Marketing, G.T. Insurance from 1992 to 1993. Mr. Guilfoyle is also
                                         a director or trustee of each of the other investment companies registered under the 1940
                                         Act that is managed or administered by the Manager.
 
C. Derek Anderson, 56                    President, Plantagenet Capital Management, LLC (an investment partnership); Chief
Trustee                                  Executive Officer, Plantagenet Holdings, Ltd. (an investment banking firm); Director,
220 Sansome Street                       Anderson Capital Management, Inc., since 1988; Chief Executive Officer, Anderson Capital
Suite 400                                Management, Inc., from 1991 to July 1997; Director, PremiumWear, Inc. (formerly
San Francisco, CA 94104                  Munsingwear, Inc.) (a casual apparel company), and Director, "R" Homes, Inc. and various
                                         other companies. Mr. Anderson is also a director or trustee of each of the other
                                         investment companies registered under the 1940 Act that is managed or administered by the
                                         Manager.
 
Frank S. Bayley, 58                      Partner with Baker & McKenzie (a law firm); Director and Chairman, C.D. Stimson Company (a
Trustee                                  private investment company). Mr. Bayley also is a director or trustee of each of the other
Two Embarcadero Center                   investment companies registered under the 1940 Act that is managed or administered by the
Suite 2400                               Manager.
San Francisco, CA 94111
 
Arthur C. Patterson, 54                  Managing Partner, Accel Partners (a venture capital firm). He also serves as a director of
Trustee                                  various computing and software companies. Mr. Patterson also is a director or trustee of
One Embarcadero Center                   each of the other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act that is managed or
Suite 3820                               administered by the Manager.
San Francisco, CA 94111
 
Ruth H. Quigley, 62                      Private investor, and President, Quigley Friedlander & Co., Inc. (a financial advisory
Trustee                                  services firm) from 1984 to 1986. Miss Quigley also is a director or trustee of each of
1055 California Street                   the other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act that is managed or
San Francisco, CA 94108                  administered by the Manager.
 
Robert G. Wade, Jr.,* 70                 Consultant to the Manager; Chairman of the Board of Chancellor Capital Management, Inc.
Trustee                                  from January 1995 to October 1996; President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the
1166 Avenue of the Americas              Board of Chancellor Capital Management, Inc. from 1988 to January 1995. Mr. Wade also is a
New York, NY 10036                       director or trustee of each of the other investment companies registered under the 1940
                                         Act that is managed or administered by the Manager.
</TABLE>
    
 
- --------------
   
*   Mr. Guilfoyle and Mr. Wade are  "interested persons" of the Trust as defined
by the 1940 Act due to their affiliation with the LGT companies.
    
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 25
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                               <C>
Helge K. Lee, 51                  Executive Vice President, Asset Management Division, Liechtenstein
Vice President and Secretary      Global Trust since October 1996; Senior Vice President, General Counsel
1166 Avenue of the Americas       and Secretary, LGT Asset Management, the Manager, GT Global, GT Services
New York, NY 10036                and G.T. Insurance from February 1996 to October 1996; Vice President,
                                  General Counsel and Secretary, LGT Asset Management, Inc., Chancellor
                                  LGT Asset Management, Inc., GT Global, GT Services and G.T. Insurance
                                  from May 1994 to February 1996; Senior Vice President, General Counsel
                                  and Secretary, Strong/Corneliuson Management, Inc.; and Secretary, each
                                  of the Strong Funds from October 1991 to May 1994.
 
Kenneth W. Chancey, 52            Vice President -- Mutual Fund Accounting, the Manager since 1992; and
Vice President and                Vice President, Putnam Fiduciary Trust Company from 1989 to 1992.
Principal Accounting Officer
50 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94111
</TABLE>
    
 
                         ------------------------------
 
   
The Board of Directors has a  Nominating and Audit Committee, comprised of  Miss
Quigley  and Messrs.  Anderson, Bayley and  Patterson, which  is responsible for
nominating persons to serve  as Directors, reviewing audits  of the Company  and
its  funds  and recommending  firms  to serve  as  independent auditors  for the
Company. Each of the Directors  and officers of the  Company is also a  Director
and  officer of  G.T. Investment Portfolios,  Inc., and GT  Global Floating Rate
Fund, Inc., a Trustee and officer of G.T. Global Growth Series and a Trustee  of
G.T.  Global Eastern  Europe Fund, G.T.  Global Variable  Investment Trust, G.T.
Global Variable  Investment  Series, Global  High  Income Portfolio  and  Global
Investment  Portfolio, which are also registered investment companies managed by
the Manager. Each Director and Officer serves in total as a Director or  Trustee
and  Officer, respectively, of 11 registered investment companies with 41 series
managed or administered by the Manager.  The Company pays each Director, who  is
not  a director, officer or  employee of the Manager  or any affiliated company,
$5,000 per annum, plus $300 per Fund for each meeting of the Board attended, and
reimburses travel and other expenses  incurred in connection with attendance  at
such  meetings. Other Directors and officers  receive no compensation or expense
reimbursement from the Company. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996,  Mr.
Anderson,  Mr. Bayley,  Mr. Patterson and  Miss Quigley, who  are not directors,
officers or employees of the Manager or other affiliated company, received total
compensation of $30,200,  $30,200, $26,600  and 30,200,  respectively, from  the
Company  for which  he or she  serves as a  Director. For the  fiscal year ended
October 31,  1996, Mr.  Anderson, Mr.  Bayley, Mr.  Patterson and  Miss  Quigley
received   total  compensation   of  $80,100,  $80,100,   $72,600  and  $80,100,
respectively, from  the  investment companies  managed  or administered  by  the
Manager  for which he or she serves as  a Director or Trustee. Fees and expenses
disbursed to the Directors contained no accrued or payable pension or retirement
benefits. As of October 1, 1997,  the Officers and Directors and their  families
as  a group owned in the aggregate beneficially or of record less than 1% of the
outstanding shares of the Fund or of all the Company's funds in the aggregate.
    
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 26
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION SERVICES
The  Manager serves as the Fund's  investment manager and administrator under an
Investment  Management  and  Administration  Contract  ("Management   Contract")
between  the Company and  the Manager. As  investment manager and administrator,
the Manager makes  all investment  decisions for  the Fund  and administers  the
Fund's  affairs. Among other things, the Manager furnishes the services and pays
the compensation  and travel  expenses  of persons  who perform  the  executive,
administrative,  clerical and bookkeeping functions of the Company and the Fund,
and provides  suitable  office  space,  necessary  small  office  equipment  and
utilities.  For these services, the Fund  pays the Manager investment management
and administration fees, based on the Fund's average daily net assets,  computed
daily  and  paid monthly,  at the  annualized rate  of .975%  on the  first $500
million, .95% on the next $500 million, .925% on the next $500 million, and .90%
on amounts thereafter.
 
The Management Contract  may be renewed  for one-year terms,  provided that  any
such  renewal  has  been specifically  approved  at  least annually  by  (i) the
Company's Board  of Directors,  or  by the  vote of  a  majority of  the  Fund's
outstanding  voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act), and (ii) a majority
of Directors  who are  not parties  to the  Management Contract  or  "interested
persons"  of any such  party (as defined in  the 1940 Act), cast  in person at a
meeting called  for  the  specific  purpose of  voting  on  such  approval.  The
Management  Contract provides that with respect to  the Fund, the Company or the
Manager may  terminate the  Contract without  penalty upon  sixty days'  written
notice.  The Management  Contract terminates automatically  in the  event of its
assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
 
   
The  following  table  discloses  the   amount  of  investment  management   and
administration  fees  paid by  the Predecessor  Fund to  the Manager  during the
Predecessor Fund's last three fiscal years:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                                                                                       AMOUNT PAID
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------------
<S>                                                                                                          <C>
1996.......................................................................................................   $ 7,864,840
1995.......................................................................................................   $ 6,878,640
1994.......................................................................................................   $ 7,377,360
</TABLE>
    
 
DISTRIBUTION SERVICES
The Fund's  Advisor Class  shares are  offered continuously  through the  Fund's
principal  underwriter and  distributor, GT  Global, on  a "best  efforts" basis
without a sales charge or a contingent deferred sales charge.
 
TRANSFER AGENCY AND ACCOUNTING AGENCY SERVICES
The Transfer  Agent  has  been  retained by  the  Fund  to  perform  shareholder
servicing,  reporting and  general transfer  agent functions  for the  Fund. For
these services, the Transfer Agent receives an annual maintenance fee of  $17.50
per  account, a new account  fee of $4.00 per account,  a per transaction fee of
$1.75 for all transactions other than exchanges and a per exchange fee of $2.25.
The Transfer Agent also is reimbursed by the Fund for its out-of-pocket expenses
for such  items as  postage,  forms, telephone  charges, stationery  and  office
supplies. The Manager serves as the Fund's pricing and accounting agent.
 
EXPENSES OF THE FUND
The  Fund pays  all expenses  not assumed  by the  Manager, GT  Global and other
agents. These  expenses  include, in  addition  to the  advisory,  distribution,
transfer  agency,  pricing and  accounting agency  and brokerage  fees discussed
above, legal and audit expenses, custodian fees, directors' fees, organizational
fees, fidelity bond and other insurance premiums, taxes, extraordinary  expenses
and  the expenses  of reports and  prospectuses sent to  existing investors. The
allocation of general Company  expenses and expenses shared  among the Fund  and
other  funds organized as series of the  Company are allocated on a basis deemed
fair and equitable, which may be based on the relative net assets of the Fund or
the nature of  the services performed  and relative applicability  to the  Fund.
Expenditures,  including costs incurred in connection  with the purchase or sale
of portfolio  securities, which  are capitalized  in accordance  with  generally
accepted accounting principles applicable to investment companies, are accounted
for  as capital items and  not as expenses. The ratio  of the Fund's expenses to
its relative net assets can be expected to be higher than the expense ratios  of
funds investing solely in domestic securities, since the cost of maintaining the
custody of foreign securities and the rate of investment management fees paid by
the Fund generally are higher than the comparable expenses of such other funds.
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 27
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                            VALUATION OF FUND SHARES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
As  described in the Prospectus,  the Fund's net asset  value per share for each
class of shares is determined  at the close of regular  trading on the New  York
Stock  Exchange  ("NYSE") (currently  4:00  p.m. Eastern  time,  unless weather,
equipment failure or  other factors contribute  to an earlier  closing time)  on
each  business day the NYSE is open  for business. Currently, the NYSE is closed
on weekends and on certain days  relating to the following holidays: New  Year's
Day,   Presidents'  Day,  Good  Friday,  Memorial  Day,  July  4th,  Labor  Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
 
The Fund's portfolio securities and other assets are valued as follows:
 
   
Equity securities that  are traded on  stock exchanges, are  valued at the  last
sale  price on the exchange or in the principal over-the-counter market in which
such securities  are  traded,  as of  the  close  of business  on  the  day  the
securities  are being valued  or, lacking any  sales, at the  last available bid
price. In  cases where  securities are  traded on  more than  one exchange,  the
securities  are  valued on  the exchange  determined  by the  Manager to  be the
primary market.
    
 
Long-term debt obligations are valued at  the mean of representative quoted  bid
and  asked prices for such  securities or, if such  prices are not available, at
prices for securities of  comparable maturity, quality  and type; however,  when
the  Manager deems it appropriate, prices obtained for the day of valuation from
a bond pricing  service will be  used. Short-term investments  are amortized  to
maturity  based  on  their  cost,  adjusted  for  foreign  exchange translation,
provided such valuations represent fair value.
 
Options on indices, securities and currencies  purchased by the Fund are  valued
at  their last bid price  in the case of  listed options or, in  the case of OTC
options, at the average of  the last bid prices  obtained from dealers unless  a
quotation  from only one dealer  is available, in which  case only that dealer's
price will be used. The value of  each security denominated in a currency  other
than  U.S. dollars will be translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing market
rate as  determined by  the Manager  on  that day.  When market  quotations  for
futures  and options on  futures held by  the Fund are  readily available, those
positions will be valued based upon such quotations.
 
Securities and  other  assets  for  which  market  quotations  are  not  readily
available  (including restricted securities which  are subject to limitations as
to their sale) are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or  under
the  direction of  the Company's  Board of  Directors. The  valuation procedures
applied in any specific instance are likely to vary from case to case.  However,
consideration  generally is  given to the  financial position of  the issuer and
other fundamental analytical data relating to  the investment and to the  nature
of the restrictions on disposition of the securities (including any registration
expenses  that might be borne by the  Fund in connection with such disposition).
In addition, specific factors also generally are considered, such as the cost of
the investment, the  market value  of any  unrestricted securities  of the  same
class  (both at the time of purchase and  at the time of valuation), the size of
the holding, the  prices of any  recent transactions or  offers with respect  to
such securities and any available analysts' reports regarding the issuer.
 
The  fair value  of any  other assets is  added to  the value  of all securities
positions to  arrive  at  the value  of  the  Fund's total  assets.  The  Fund's
liabilities,  including  accruals  for  expenses, are  deducted  from  its total
assets. Once the total  value of the  Fund's net assets  is so determined,  that
value  is  then divided  by the  total number  of shares  outstanding (excluding
treasury shares), and the result, rounded to  the nearer cent, is the net  asset
value per share.
 
Any assets or liabilities initially expressed in terms of foreign currencies are
translated into U.S. dollars at the official exchange rate or at the mean of the
current  bid and asked  prices of such  currencies against the  U.S. dollar last
quoted by a major  bank that is  a regular participant  in the foreign  exchange
market  or on the basis of a pricing  service that takes into account the quotes
provided by a  number of such  major banks.  If none of  these alternatives  are
available, or none are deemed to provide a suitable methodology for converting a
foreign  currency into U.S. dollars, the Board of Directors, in good faith, will
establish a conversion rate for such currency.
 
European, Far Eastern, or Latin American  securities trading may not take  place
on  all days on which the NYSE is open. Further, trading takes place in Japanese
markets on certain Saturdays and in various foreign markets on days on which the
NYSE is not open. In addition, trading in securities on European and Far Eastern
securities exchanges  and OTC  markets generally  is completed  well before  the
close  of the  business day  in New York.  Consequently, the  calculation of the
Fund's
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 28
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
net asset value may not take  place contemporaneously with the determination  of
the  prices  of securities  held by  the  Fund. Events  affecting the  values of
portfolio securities that occur between the time their prices are determined and
the close of regular trading on the NYSE will not be reflected in the Fund's net
asset value unless the Manager, under the supervision of the Company's Board  of
Directors,  determines  that the  particular event  would materially  affect net
asset value.  As a  result, the  Fund's  net asset  value may  be  significantly
affected  by such trading on  days when a shareholder  cannot purchase or redeem
shares of the Fund.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                         INFORMATION RELATING TO SALES
                                AND REDEMPTIONS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
PAYMENT AND TERMS OF OFFERING
Payment for Advisor Class shares purchased should accompany the purchase  order,
or  funds should be wired to the  Transfer Agent as described in the Prospectus.
Payment for Fund shares, other than by  wire transfer, must be made by check  or
money order drawn on a U.S. bank. Checks or money orders must be payable in U.S.
dollars.
 
   
As a condition of this offering, if an order to purchase Advisor Class shares is
cancelled  due to nonpayment  (for example, on  account of a  check returned for
"not sufficient funds"), the person who  made the order will be responsible  for
any  loss  incurred by  the Fund  by reason  of such  cancellation, and  if such
purchaser is a shareholder, the  Fund shall have the  authority as agent of  the
shareholder  to redeem shares  in his or  her account at  their then-current net
asset value per  share to reimburse  the Fund for  the loss incurred.  Investors
whose  purchase orders have  been cancelled due to  nonpayment may be prohibited
from placing future orders.
    
 
The Fund  reserves the  right  at any  time to  waive  or increase  the  minimum
requirements applicable to initial or subsequent investments with respect to any
person  or class of persons.  An order to purchase shares  is not binding on the
Fund until it  has been confirmed  in writing  by the Transfer  Agent (or  other
arrangements  made with the Fund, in the  case of orders utilizing wire transfer
of funds, as described above) and payment has been received. To protect existing
shareholders, the Fund reserves the right to reject any offer for a purchase  of
shares by any individual.
 
SALES OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES
Sales  of Fund shares made through brokers  outside the United States will be at
net asset value plus a sales commission,  if any, established by that broker  or
by local law.
 
   
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS ("IRAs") AND OTHER TAX-DEFERRED PLANS
    
 
   
IRAs: If you have earned income from employment (including self-employment), you
can  contribute each year to an IRA up  to the lesser of (1) $2,000 for yourself
or $4,000  for  you  and your  spouse,  regardless  of whether  your  spouse  is
employed,  or (2) 100% of compensation. Some  individuals may be able to take an
income tax deduction for the contribution. Regular contributions may not be made
for the  year you  become 70  1/2  or thereafter.  Effective for  taxable  years
beginning  after 1997,  unless you and  your spouse's earnings  exceed a certain
level, you may also establish an  "Education IRA" and/or a "Roth IRA."  Although
contributions  to these  new types of  IRAs are  nondeductible, withdrawals from
them will  be tax-free  under  certain circumstances.  Please consult  your  tax
advisor for more information.
    
 
   
ROLLOVER  IRAs: Individuals who receive  distributions from qualified retirement
plans (other than  required distributions) and  who wish to  keep their  savings
growing  tax-deferred  can  rollover  (or  make  a  direct  transfer  of)  their
distribution to a  Rollover IRA. These  accounts can also  receive rollovers  or
transfers  from an existing  IRA. If an "eligible  rollover distribution" from a
qualified employer-sponsored retirement plan is  not directly rolled over to  an
IRA  (or  certain qualified  plans),  withholding at  the  rate of  20%  will be
required for federal income tax purposes.  A distribution from a qualified  plan
that  is not an "eligible rollover  distribution," including a distribution that
is one  of a  series  of substantially  equal  periodic payments,  generally  is
subject to regular wage withholding or withholding at the rate of 10% (depending
on  the type and amount  of the distribution), unless you  elect not to have any
withholding apply. Please consult your tax advisor for more information.
    
 
   
SEP-IRAs: Simplified  employee  pension  plans ("SEPs"  or  "SEP-IRAs")  provide
self-employed  individuals (and any eligible employees) with benefits similar to
Keogh  plans  (i.e.,   self-employed  individual  retirement   plans)  or   Code
    
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 29
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
   
Section  401(k) plans but  with fewer administrative  requirements and therefore
potential lower annual administration expenses.
    
 
   
CODE SECTION 403(b)(7) CUSTODIAL ACCOUNTS: Employees of public schools and  most
other  tax-exempt organizations can make  pre-tax salary reduction contributions
to these accounts.
    
 
   
PROFIT-SHARING  (INCLUDING   SECTION   401(k))  AND   MONEY   PURCHASE   PENSION
PLANS:  Corporations  and other  employers can  sponsor these  qualified defined
contribution plans  for  their employees.  A  section  401(k) plan,  a  type  of
profit-sharing  plan, additionally permits the eligible, participating employees
to make  pre-tax salary  reduction  contributions to  the  plan (up  to  certain
limits).
    
 
   
SIMPLE  RETIREMENT PLANS: Employers with no more  than 100 employees that do not
maintain another retirement plan  may establish a  Savings Incentive Match  Plan
for  Employees ("SIMPLE") either as  separate IRAs or as  part of a Code Section
401(k) plan. SIMPLEs are not subject to the complicated nondiscrimination  rules
that generally apply to qualified retirements plans.
    
 
   
EXCHANGES
    
Shares  of the Fund may be exchanged for shares of other GT Global Mutual Funds,
based on  their respective  net asset  values without  imposition of  any  sales
charges  provided that the registration  remains identical. Advisor Class shares
may be exchanged only for Advisor Class shares of other GT Global Mutual  Funds.
The  exchange privilege  is not  an option  or right  to purchase  shares but is
permitted under the current policies of  the respective GT Global Mutual  Funds.
The  privilege may be  discontinued or changed at  any time by  any of the funds
upon 60 days prior notice to the shareholders of such fund and is available only
in states  where the  exchange may  be legally  made. Before  purchasing  shares
through  the exercise of the exchange privilege, a shareholder should obtain and
read a copy of the  prospectus of the fund to  be purchased and should  consider
the investment objective(s) of the fund.
 
TELEPHONE REDEMPTIONS
A  corporation or partnership  wishing to utilize  telephone redemption services
must submit a "Corporate Resolution" or "Certificate of Partnership"  indicating
the names, titles and the required number of signatures of persons authorized to
act  on  its  behalf.  The  certificate must  be  signed  by  a  duly authorized
officer(s) and,  in  the case  of  a corporation,  the  corporate seal  must  be
affixed. All shareholders may request that redemption proceeds be transmitted by
bank  wire upon request directly to the shareholder's predesignated account at a
domestic bank or savings institution, if the proceeds are at least $1,000. Costs
in connection with the administration  of this service, including wire  charges,
currently  are borne by the Fund. Proceeds of less than $1,000 will be mailed to
the shareholder's registered address of record. The Fund and the Transfer  Agent
reserve  the right to refuse any  telephone instructions and may discontinue the
aforementioned redemption options upon 30 days' written notice.
 
SUSPENSION OF REDEMPTION PRIVILEGES
The Fund may suspend redemption privileges  or postpone the date of payment  for
more  than seven days after a redemption order is received during any period (1)
when the NYSE is  closed other than customary  weekend and holiday closings,  or
trading  on  the  NYSE is  restricted  as determined  by  the SEC,  (2)  when an
emergency exists, as  defined by  the SEC, which  would prohibit  the Fund  from
disposing  of its portfolio securities or in fairly determining the value of its
assets, or (3) as the SEC may otherwise permit.
 
REDEMPTIONS IN KIND
It is possible  that conditions  may arise  in the  future which  would, in  the
opinion of the Company's Board of Directors, make it undesirable for the Fund to
pay  for all redemptions in cash. In such cases, the Board may authorize payment
to be made  in portfolio securities  or other  property of the  Fund, so  called
"redemptions  in kind." Payment of  redemptions in kind will  be made in readily
marketable securities.  Such  securities  would  be valued  at  the  same  value
assigned  to  them in  computing  the net  asset  value per  share. Shareholders
receiving such  securities  would incur  brokerage  costs in  selling  any  such
securities  so received. However,  despite the foregoing,  the Company has filed
with the SEC an election pursuant to  Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act. This  means
that  the  Fund  will  pay in  cash  all  requests for  redemption  made  by any
shareholder of record, limited in amount with respect to each shareholder during
any ninety-day period to the  lesser of $250,000 or 1%  of the value of the  net
assets of the Fund at the beginning of such period. This election is irrevocable
so  long  as  Rule  18f-1  remains  in effect,  unless  the  SEC  by  order upon
application permits the withdrawal of such election.
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 30
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                                     TAXES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
GENERAL
   
To continue to qualify for treatment as a RIC under the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended ("Code"), the Fund must distribute to its shareholders for each
taxable year at least 90% of  its investment company taxable income  (consisting
generally  of net investment  income, net short-term capital  gain and net gains
from certain  foreign currency  transactions) ("Distribution  Requirement")  and
must  meet  several  additional  requirements.  These  requirements  include the
Diversification Requirements described  under "Investment  Limitations" and  the
requirement  that the Fund derive at least  90% of its gross income each taxable
year from dividends,  interest, payments  with respect to  securities loans  and
gains from the sale or other disposition of securities or foreign currencies, or
other  income  (including  gains  from options,  Futures  or  Forward Contracts)
derived with  respect  to its  business  of  investing in  securities  or  those
currencies ("Income Requirement").
    
 
Dividends  and  other distributions  declared  by the  Fund  in, and  payable to
shareholders of record as  of a date  in, October, November  or December of  any
year  will  be  deemed  to have  been  paid  by  the Fund  and  received  by the
shareholders on December 31 of  that year if the  distributions are paid by  the
Fund  during  the following  January. Accordingly,  those distributions  will be
taxed to shareholders for the year in which that December 31 falls.
 
A portion of  the dividends from  the Fund's investment  company taxable  income
(whether  paid in cash or  reinvested in additional shares)  may be eligible for
the dividends-received deduction allowed  to corporations. The eligible  portion
may  not  exceed  the  aggregate  dividends  received  by  the  Fund  from  U.S.
corporations.  However,  dividends  received  by  a  corporate  shareholder  and
deducted  by  it  pursuant  to  the  dividends-received  deduction  are  subject
indirectly to the alternative minimum tax.
 
If Fund shares are sold at a loss  after being held for six months or less,  the
loss  will be treated as  long-term, instead of short-term,  capital loss to the
extent of any  capital gain  distributions received on  those shares.  Investors
also should be aware that if shares are purchased shortly before the record date
for  any dividend or other distribution, the shareholder will pay full price for
the shares and receive some portion of the price back as a taxable distribution.
 
The Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax ("Excise Tax") to  the
extent  it fails to distribute by the end of any calendar year substantially all
of its  ordinary income  for  that year  and capital  gain  net income  for  the
one-year period ending on October 31 of that year plus certain other amounts.
 
FOREIGN TAXES
   
Dividends  and interest received by the Fund, and gains realized thereby, may be
subject to income, withholding or other  taxes imposed by foreign countries  and
U.S.  possessions ("foreign  taxes") that  would reduce  the yield  and/or total
return on  its securities.  Tax conventions  between certain  countries and  the
United  States may reduce or eliminate  foreign taxes, however, and many foreign
countries do not  impose taxes  on capital gains  in respect  of investments  by
foreign  investors. If more than 50% of the  value of the Fund's total assets at
the close of its  taxable year consists of  securities of foreign  corporations,
the  Fund  will be  eligible to,  and may,  file an  election with  the Internal
Revenue Service that  will enable its  shareholders, in effect,  to receive  the
benefit  of the foreign tax credit with respect to any foreign taxes paid by it.
Pursuant to the election, the Fund would treat those taxes as dividends paid  to
its  shareholders and each shareholder would be required to (1) include in gross
income, and treat as paid by him, his share of those taxes, (2) treat his  share
of  those taxes and of any dividend paid by the Fund that represents income from
foreign and U.S. possessions sources as  his own income from those sources,  and
(3)  either deduct the taxes deemed paid  by him in computing his taxable income
or, alternatively, use the foregoing information in calculating the foreign  tax
credit  against his federal income tax. The Fund will report to its shareholders
shortly after each  taxable year their  respective shares of  the Fund's  income
from  sources within, and taxes paid  to, foreign countries and U.S. possessions
if it makes this  election. Pursuant to  the Taxpayer Relief  Act of 1997  ("Tax
Act"),  after 1997  individuals who  have no  more than  $300 ($600  for married
persons filing jointly) of creditable foreign  taxes included on Forms 1099  and
have  no foreign source non-passive  income will be able  to claim a foreign tax
credit without having to file the detailed Form 1116.
    
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 31
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
PASSIVE FOREIGN INVESTMENT COMPANIES
   
The Fund  may invest  in the  stock of  "passive foreign  investment  companies"
("PFICs").  A PFIC is a foreign corporation  -- other than a "controlled foreign
corporation" (I.E.,  a foreign  corporation  in which,  on  any day  during  its
taxable  year,  more than  50% of  the total  voting power  of all  voting stock
therein or the total value of  all stock therein is owned, directly,  indirectly
or  constructively, by  "U.S. shareholders," defined  in the singular  as a U.S.
person that owns, directly, indirectly or  constructively, at least 10% of  that
voting  power)  as to  which the  Fund  is a  U.S. shareholder  (effective after
October 31, 1998) -- that, in general, meets either of the following tests:  (1)
at least 75% of its gross income is passive or (2) an average of at least 50% of
its  assets produce, or  are held for  the production of,  passive income. Under
certain circumstances,  the Fund  will be  subject to  federal income  tax on  a
portion  of  any "excess  distribution" received  on,  or of  any gain  from the
disposition of,  stock of  a PFIC  (collectively "PFIC  income"), plus  interest
thereon,  even if the Fund distributes the  PFIC income as a taxable dividend to
its shareholders. The balance of the PFIC income will be included in the  Fund's
investment company taxable income and, accordingly, will not be taxable to it to
the extent that income is distributed to its shareholders.
    
 
If  the Fund  invests in a  PFIC and  elects to treat  the PFIC  as a "qualified
electing fund"  ("QEF"),  then  in  lieu  of  the  foregoing  tax  and  interest
obligation,  the Fund would be  required to include in  income each taxable year
its pro rata  share of the  QEF's ordinary  earnings and net  capital gain  (the
excess  of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) -- which
most likely would have to be distributed by the Fund to satisfy the Distribution
Requirement and avoid imposition of the Excise Tax -- even if those earnings and
gain were not received by  the Fund from the QEF.  In most instances it will  be
very  difficult, if  not impossible,  to make  this election  because of certain
requirements thereof.
 
   
Effective for its taxable year beginning November 1, 1998, the Fund may elect to
"mark to market" its  stock in any PFIC.  "Marking-to-market," in this  context,
means  including in ordinary income each taxable year the excess, if any, of the
fair market value of the PFIC's stock over the Fund's adjusted basis therein  as
of  the end  of that  year. Pursuant  to the  election, the  Fund also  would be
allowed to deduct (as an ordinary, not capital, loss) the excess, if any, of its
adjusted basis  in PFIC  stock over  the fair  market value  thereof as  of  the
taxable  year-end, but only to  the extent of any  net mark-to-market gains with
respect to that stock included by the  Fund for prior taxable years. The  Fund's
adjusted basis is each PFIC's stock with respect to which is makes this election
will  be adjusted to reflect the amounts of income included and deductions taken
under the election. Regulations proposed in1992 would provide a similar election
with respect to the stock of certain PFICs.
    
 
NON-U.S. SHAREHOLDERS
   
Dividends paid by the Fund to a shareholder  who, as to the United States, is  a
nonresident  alien individual, nonresident alien fiduciary of a trust or estate,
foreign corporation  or foreign  partnership ("foreign  shareholder")  generally
will be subject to U.S. withholding tax (at a rate of 30% or lower treaty rate).
Withholding  will  not  apply  if a  dividend  paid  by the  Fund  to  a foreign
shareholder is  "effectively connected  with  the conduct  of  a U.S.  trade  or
business,"  in which case the  reporting and withholding requirements applicable
to domestic shareholders will apply. A  distribution of net capital gain by  the
Fund  to a foreign shareholder generally will  be subject to U.S. federal income
tax (at the rates  applicable to domestic persons)  only if the distribution  is
"effectively  connected" or the foreign shareholder  is treated as a nonresident
alien individual for federal income tax purposes.
    
 
OPTIONS, FUTURES AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
   
The use  of  hedging transactions,  such  as selling  (writing)  and  purchasing
options  and  Futures Contracts  and entering  into Forward  Contracts, involves
complex rules that will determine, for federal income tax purposes, the  amount,
character and timing of recognition of the gains and losses the Fund realizes in
connection  therewith. Gains from the  disposition of foreign currencies (except
certain gains  that may  be  excluded by  future  regulations), and  gains  from
options,  Futures and Forward Contracts derived by  the Fund with respect to its
business of  investing in  securities  or foreign  currencies, will  qualify  as
permissible income under the Income Requirement.
    
 
   
Futures  and Forward  Contracts that  are subject  to Section  1256 of  the Code
(other  than  those  that  are  part  of  a  "mixed  straddle")  ("Section  1256
Contracts")  and  that are  held by  the Fund  at  the end  of its  taxable year
generally will be deemed to  have been sold at  market value for federal  income
tax  purposes. Sixty percent of any net  gain or loss recognized on these deemed
sales, and 60% of any net gain or loss realized from any actual sales of Section
1256 Contracts,  will be  treated as  long-term capital  gain or  loss, and  the
balance  will be treated as short-term capital  gain or loss. It is not entirely
clear, as of the date of  this Statement of Additional Information, whether  the
60%  portion of that capital gain that is treated as long-term capital gain will
qualify for the reduced maximum tax rates on net capital gain enacted by the Tax
Act -- 20% (10% for taxpayers in the 15% marginal tax bracket) on capital assets
held for more than 18 months -- instead of the
    
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 32
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
   
maximum rate in effect before that  legislation, 28%, which now applies to  gain
on  capital assets  held for  more than one  year but  not more  than 18 months.
Section 1256 contracts also may be  marked-to-market for purposes of the  Excise
Tax.
    
 
Section  988 of the Code also may apply to gains and losses from transactions in
foreign currencies,  foreign-currency-denominated debt  securities and  options,
Futures  and Forward  Contracts on foreign  currencies ("Section  988" gains and
losses). Each Section  988 gain  or loss  generally is  computed separately  and
treated as ordinary income or loss. In the case of overlap between sections 1256
and  988, special provisions  determine the character and  timing of any income,
gain or loss. The Fund attempts to monitor section 988 transactions to  minimize
any adverse tax impact.
 
   
If  the Fund has  an "appreciated financial position"  -- generally, an interest
(including an interest through an option,  Futures or Forward Contract or  short
sale) with respect to any stock, debt instrument (other than "straight debt") or
partnership  interest the fair market value  of which exceeds its adjusted basis
- -- and enters into  a "constructive sale" of  the same or substantially  similar
property,  the Fund will be treated as  having made an actual sale thereof, with
the result  that gain  will be  recognized  at that  time. A  constructive  sale
generally consists of a short sale, an offsetting notional principal contract or
Futures  or Forward Contract entered  into by the Fund  or a related person with
respect to  the same  or substantially  similar property.  In addition,  if  the
appreciated  financial  position is  itself  a short  sale  or such  a contract,
acquisition of the underlying property or substantially similar property will be
deemed a constructive sale.
    
 
The foregoing  is a  general  and abbreviated  summary  of certain  federal  tax
considerations  affecting the Fund and its  shareholders. Investors are urged to
consult their own tax advisers for more detailed information and for information
regarding any  foreign,  state  and  local  taxes  applicable  to  distributions
received from the Fund.
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 33
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
LIECHTENSTEIN GLOBAL TRUST
   
Liechtenstein  Global Trust,  AG, is composed  of the Manager  and its worldwide
affiliates. Other worldwide affiliates of Liechtenstein Global Trust include LGT
Bank in Liechtenstein, an  international financial services institution  founded
in   1920.  LGT   Bank  in  Liechtenstein   has  principal   offices  in  Vaduz,
Liechtenstein. Its  subsidiaries currently  include  LGT Bank  in  Liechtenstein
(Deutschland) GmbH, and LGT Asset Management AG, in Zurich, Switzerland.
    
 
   
Worldwide   asset  management  affiliates  also   currently  include  LGT  Asset
Management PLC, in London, England; LGT Asset Management Ltd., in Hong Kong; LGT
Asset Management Ltd., in Tokyo; LGT  Asset Management Pte. Ltd., in  Singapore;
LGT  Asset  Management  Ltd.,  in  Sydney; and  LGT  Asset  Management  GmbH, in
Frankfurt, Germany.
    
 
CUSTODIAN
State Street  Bank and  Trust  Company ("State  Street"), 225  Franklin  Street,
Boston,  Massachusetts  02110, acts  as custodian  of  the Fund's  assets. State
Street is  authorized to  establish  and has  established separate  accounts  in
foreign  currencies and to cause  securities of the Fund  to be held in separate
accounts outside the United States in the custody of non-U.S. banks.
 
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
The Fund's independent accountants are Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., One Post Office
Square, Boston,  Massachusetts  02109. Coopers  &  Lybrand L.L.P.,  conducts  an
annual  audit of the Fund, assists in  the preparation of the Fund's federal and
state income  tax returns  and consults  with the  Company and  the Fund  as  to
matters  of  accounting,  regulatory  filings,  and  federal  and  state  income
taxation.
 
The audited financial statements  of the Company included  in this Statement  of
Additional Information have been examined by Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., as stated
in their opinion appearing herein and are included in reliance upon such opinion
given upon the authority of that firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
USE OF NAME
The  Manager has granted the  Company the right to use  the "GT" and "GT Global"
names and has  reserved the right  to withdraw its  consent to the  use of  such
names  by the Company and/or the  Fund at any time, or  to grant the use of such
names to any other company.
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 34
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                               INVESTMENT RESULTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
STANDARDIZED RETURNS
The  Fund's "Standardized Returns," as referred to in the Prospectus (see "Other
Information --  Performance  Information"  in the  Prospectus),  are  calculated
separately  for  Class A,  Class  B and  Advisor Class  shares  of the  Fund, as
follows: Standardized Return (average annual total return ("T")) is computed  by
using the ending redeeming value ("ERV") of a hypothetical initial investment of
$1,000  ("P") over a period of years ("n") according to the following formula as
required by the SEC: P(1+T) to the (n)th power = ERV. The following  assumptions
will  be reflected in computations made in accordance with this formula: (1) for
Class A shares, deduction of the maximum  sales charge of 4.75% from the  $1,000
initial  investment;  (2)  for  Class  B  shares,  deduction  of  the applicable
contingent deferred sales charge imposed on a redemption of Class B shares  held
for the period; (3) for Advisor Class shares, deduction of a sales charge is not
applicable;  (4) reinvestment of dividends and  other distributions at net asset
value on the reinvestment date determined  by the Company's Board of  Directors;
and (5) a complete redemption at the end of any period illustrated.
 
   
The  Standardized Returns  of the Predecessor  Fund (recomputed for  Class A and
Class B shares to reflect the deduction of the maximum sales charge of 4.75% for
Class A shares  and the deduction  of the applicable  contingent deferred  sales
charge  for Class B shares), stated as average annualized total returns, for the
periods shown, were:
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        DEVELOPING       DEVELOPING
                                                                                       MARKETS FUND     MARKETS FUND
PERIOD                                                                                   (CLASS A)        (CLASS B)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                                                   <C>              <C>
Fiscal period ended June 30, 1997...................................................         14.78%           15.50%
January 11, 1994 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 1997.................          3.17%            3.85%
 
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        DEVELOPING
                                                                                       MARKETS FUND
PERIOD                                                                                (ADVISOR CLASS)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------------
<S>                                                                                   <C>
Fiscal period ended June 30, 1997...................................................         20.50%
January 11, 1994 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 1997.................          4.63%
</TABLE>
    
 
NON-STANDARDIZED RETURNS
In  addition   to  Standardized   Returns,  the   Fund  may   also  include   in
advertisements,  sales  literature and  shareholder  reports other  total return
performance  data  ("Non-Standardized   Return").  Non-Standardized  Return   is
calculated  separately for Class A, Class B and Advisor Class shares of the Fund
and may be calculated according to several different formulas.  Non-Standardized
Returns  may  be  quoted  for  the same  or  different  time  periods  for which
Standardized Returns are quoted.  Non-Standardized Returns may  or may not  take
sales  charges  into account;  performance  data calculated  without  taking the
effect of sales  charges into  account will be  higher than  data including  the
effect of such charges. Advisor Class shares are not subject to sales charges.
 
Aggregate Non-Standardized Return ("T") is computed by using the ending value of
the  account  ("VOA")  of  a hypothetical  initial  investment  of  $1,000 ("P")
according to  the  following formula:  T=(VOA/P)-1.  Aggregate  Non-Standardized
Return assumes reinvestment of dividends and other distributions.
 
   
The aggregate Non-Standardized Return of the Predecessor Fund (not recomputed to
take  sales charges into account) for  the period January 11, 1994 (commencement
of operations) through June 30, 1997 was 16.98%.
    
 
   
OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING STANDARDIZED AND NON-STANDARDIZED RETURNS
    
   
The Standardized and Non-Standardized Return  Data are based on the  performance
of  the Predecessor  Fund as a  closed-end investment  company. The Standardized
Return Data,  however, have  been recomputed  to reflect  the deduction  of  the
current  maximum sales charge of  4.75% for Class A  shares and the deduction of
the applicable deferred sales charge of 5.00%  for Class B shares both of  which
went  into effect on  November 1, 1997.  Future performance of  the Fund will be
effected by expenses that it  will incur as a  series of an open-end  investment
company.
    
 
IMPORTANT POINTS TO NOTE ABOUT DATA RELATING TO WORLD EQUITY AND BOND MARKETS
   
Information   relating  to   foreign  market   performance,  capitalization  and
diversification is based on  sources believed to be  reliable, but which may  be
subject to revision and which has not been independently verified by the Company
or  GT  Global.  The authors  and  publishers of  such  material are  not  to be
considered as  "experts" under  the Securities  Act of  1933 on  account of  the
inclusion  of such information  herein. Stocks chosen  by Morgan Stanley Capital
International or  the IFC  for  inclusion in  its various  international  market
indices  may not  necessarily constitute  a representative  cross-section of the
particular markets.
    
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 35
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
   
GT Global believes that this information may be useful to investors  considering
whether  and to what extent to  diversify their investments through the purchase
of mutual funds investing in securities on a global basis. However, this data is
not a representation of the past performance of the Fund, nor is it a prediction
of such performance. The performance of the Fund will differ from the historical
performance of such relevant indices. The  performance of indices does not  take
expenses  into account, while  the Fund incurs expenses  in its operations which
will reduce performance. The Fund is actively managed, I.E. the Manager, as  the
Fund's  investment manager, actively  purchases and sells  securities in seeking
the Fund's investment objective. Moreover, the Fund may invest a portion of  its
assets  in  corporate bonds,  while certain  indices  relate only  to government
bonds. Each of these factors  will cause the performance  of the Fund to  differ
from relevant indices.
    
 
In  addition,  GT Global  may in  its radio,  television and  other advertising,
employ the use of sound effects such as, for example, sounds of electronic  data
being communicated.
 
   
The  Fund and  GT Global  may from  time to  time compare  the Fund  with, among
others, the following:
    
 
        (1) Various Salomon Brothers World Bond Indices, which measure the total
    return performance of high quality non-U.S. dollar denominated securities in
    major sectors of the worldwide bond markets.
 
   
        (2) The  Lehman Brothers  Government/Corporate Bond  Index, which  is  a
    comprehensive  measure  of  all  public  obligations  of  the  U.S. Treasury
    (excluding flower bonds  and foreign targeted  issues), all publicly  issued
    debt   of  agencies  of  the   U.S.  government  (excluding  mortgage-backed
    securities), and all  public, fixed rate,  non-convertible investment  grade
    domestic  corporate debt rated at least Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P, or, in
    the case of nonrated bonds, BBB  by Fitch Investors Service, Inc.  ("Fitch")
    (excluding Collateralized Mortgage Obligations).
    
 
        (3)  Average of  Savings Accounts,  which is a  measure of  all kinds of
    savings deposits, including longer-term certificates. Savings accounts offer
    a guaranteed rate  of return on  principal, but no  opportunity for  capital
    growth.  During a  portion of  the period,  the maximum  rates paid  on some
    savings deposits were fixed by law.
 
        (4) The Consumer Price Index, which  is a measure of the average  change
    in  prices over time in  a fixed market basket  of goods and services (e.g.,
    food, clothing, shelter, fuels,  transportation fares, charges for  doctors'
    and dentists' services, prescription medicines, and other goods and services
    that people buy for day-to-day living).
 
   
        (5)  Data and mutual fund rankings and comparisons published or prepared
    by  Lipper  Analytical  Data  Services,  Inc.  ("Lipper"),  CDA/Wiesenberger
    Investment Company Services ("CDA/Wiesenberger") and/or other companies that
    rank  or compare mutual funds by overall performance, investment objectives,
    assets, expense levels, periods of  existence and/or other factors. In  this
    regard,  the Fund may be compared to  its "peer group" as defined by Lipper,
    CDA/Wiesenberger and/or other firms, as applicable, or to specific funds  or
    groups  of funds within or without such  peer group. Morningstar is a mutual
    fund  rating  service  that  also  rates  mutual  funds  on  the  basis   of
    risk-adjusted  performance. Morningstar ratings are calculated from a fund's
    three, five  and  ten  year  average annual  returns  with  appropriate  fee
    adjustments and a risk factor that reflects fund performance relative to the
    three-month  U.S. Treasury bill monthly returns. Ten percent of the funds in
    an investment category receive five stars and 22.5% receive four stars.  The
    ratings are subject to change each month.
    
 
   
        (6)  Bear  Stearns Foreign  Bond  Index, which  provides  simple average
    returns for individual countries and gross national product ("GNP")-weighted
    index, beginning in 1975.  The returns are broken  down by local market  and
    currency.
    
 
   
        (7)  Ibbotson  Associates  International Bond  Index,  which  provides a
    detailed breakdown of local market and currency returns since 1960.
    
 
   
        (8) Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index, which is a widely
    recognized index  composed of  the  capitalization-weighted average  of  the
    price of 500 of the largest publicly traded stocks in the United States.
    
 
   
        (9)  Salomon Brothers  Broad Investment Grade  Index, which  is a widely
    used  index   composed   of   U.S.  domestic   government,   corporate   and
    mortgage-backed fixed income securities.
    
 
       (10) Dow Jones Industrial Average.
 
       (11) CNBC/Financial News Composite Index.
 
       (12) Morgan Stanley Capital International World Indices, including, among
    others, the Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australia, Far East
    Index  ("EAFE Index").  The EAFE  index is an  unmanaged index  of more than
    1,000 companies in Europe, Australia and the Far East.
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 36
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
   
       (13) Salomon Brothers  World Government Bond  Index and Salomon  Brothers
    World  Government Bond Index-Non-U.S., each of  which is a widely used index
    composed of world government bonds.
    
 
   
       (14) The World Bank Publication of Trends in Developing Countries (TIDE),
    which provides brief reports on most of the World Bank's borrowing  members.
    The  World Development Report is published  annually and looks at global and
    regional  economic  trends  and   their  implications  for  the   developing
    economies.
    
 
   
       (15)  Salomon Brothers Global Telecommunications Index, which is composed
    of telecommunications companies in the developing and emerging countries.
    
 
   
       (16) Datastream  and Worldscope,  each of  which is  an on-line  database
    retrieval  service  for  information including  international  financial and
    economic data.
    
 
       (17)  International  Financial  Statistics,  which  is  produced  by  the
    International Monetary Fund.
 
       (18)  Various publications and reports produced by the World Bank and its
    affiliates.
 
       (19) Various publications from the International Bank for  Reconstruction
    and Development/The World Bank.
 
   
       (20)  Various publications of  ratings agencies such  as Moody's, S&P and
    Fitch.
    
 
   
       (21) Wilshire Associates, which is an on-line database for  international
    financial  and economic data including performance measures for a wide range
    of securities.
    
 
       (22) Bank Rate National Monitor Index, which is an average of the  quoted
    rates for 100 leading banks and thrifts in ten U.S. cities.
 
   
       (23)  International  Finance  Corporation ("IFC")  Emerging  Markets Data
    Base, which  provides  detailed statistics  on  stock and  bond  markets  in
    developing countries.
    
 
       (24)  Various publications from the Organization for Economic Cooperation
    and Development (OECD).
 
   
       (25) Micropal Inc.
    
 
   
Indices, economic and  financial data  prepared by the  research departments  of
various  financial organizations such as Salomon Brothers Inc., Lehman Brothers,
Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc., J. P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley,
Dean Witter, Discover & Co., Smith  Barney, S.G. Warburg, Jardine Flemming,  The
Bank  for International Settlements, Asian Development Bank, Bloomberg, L.P. and
Ibbotson Associates may be used, as well as information reported by the  Federal
Reserve  and the  respective central banks  of various nations.  In addition, GT
Global  may   use  performance   rankings,  ratings   and  commentary   reported
periodically  in  national  financial  publications,  including  Money Magazine,
Mutual Fund Magazine, Smart Money,  Global Finance, EuroMoney, Financial  World,
Forbes, Fortune, Business Week, Latin Finance, the Wall Street Journal, Emerging
Markets  Weekly, Kiplinger's Guide To  Personal Finance, Barron's, The Financial
Times, USA Today, The New York Times, Far Eastern Economic Review, The Economist
and Investors Business Digest. The Fund  may compare its performance to that  of
other  compilations or indices  of comparable quality to  those listed above and
other indices that may be developed and made available in the future.
    
 
From time  to  time,  the  Fund  and  GT Global  may  refer  to  the  number  of
shareholders  in the  Fund or  the aggregate  number of  shareholders in  all GT
Global Mutual Funds  or the  dollar amount of  Fund assets  under management  or
rankings by DALBAR Surveys, Inc. in advertising materials.
 
   
GT  Global  believes  the  Fund  is  an  appropriate  investment  for  long-term
investment  goals  including  funding   retirement,  paying  for  education   or
purchasing  a house. The  Fund does not represent  a complete investment program
and investors should  consider the Fund  as appropriate for  a portion of  their
overall investment portfolio with regard to their long-term investment goals.
    
 
   
GT  Global believes that  a growing number of  consumer products, including home
appliances, automobiles and  clothing, purchased by  Americans are  manufactured
abroad. GT Global believes that investing globally in the companies that produce
products for U.S. consumers can help U.S. investors seek protection of the value
of their assets against the potentially increasing costs of foreign manufactured
goods.  Of course, there can be no  assurance that there will be any correlation
between global investing and the costs of  such foreign goods unless there is  a
corresponding  change in  value of the  U.S. dollar to  foreign currencies. From
time to time, GT Global  may refer to or advertise  the names of such  companies
although  there can be no  assurance that any GT Global  Mutual Fund may own the
securities of these companies.
    
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 37
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
   
The Fund may be  compared in advertising to  certificates of deposit (CDs),  the
Bank Rate Monitor National Index (an average of the quoted rates for 100 leading
banks  and  thrifts in  ten  U.S. cities  chosen  to represent  the  ten largest
Consumer Metropolitan statistical areas) or  other investments issued by  banks.
The  Fund differs from bank investments in  several respects. The Fund may offer
greater liquidity or higher potential returns than CDs; but unlike CDs, the Fund
will have a fluctuating share price and return and is not FDIC insured.
    
 
   
The Fund's performance may be compared to the performance of other mutual  funds
in  general or  to the  performance of particular  types of  mutual funds. These
comparisons may be  expressed as  mutual fund  rankings prepared  by Lipper,  an
independent  service  that  monitors  the performance  of  mutual  funds. Lipper
generally ranks funds  on the basis  of total return,  assuming reinvestment  of
distributions,  but  does  not  take  sales  charges  or  redemption  fees  into
consideration, and its rankings are prepared without regard to tax consequences.
In addition to the mutual fund rankings, the Fund's performance may be  compared
to mutual fund performance indices prepared by Lipper.
    
 
GT  Global may provide information designed to help individuals understand their
investment goals  and  explore various  financial  strategies. For  example,  GT
Global  may describe general principles of  investing, such as asset allocation,
diversification and risk tolerance.
 
Ibbotson Associates of Chicago, Illinois (Ibbotson) provides historical  returns
of  the capital  markets in  the United  States, including  common stocks, small
capitalization stocks, long-term  corporate bonds, intermediate-term  government
bonds,  long-term government bonds,  Treasury bills, the  U.S. rate of inflation
(based on the CPI), and combinations of various capital markets. The performance
of these capital markets is based on the returns of different indices.
 
   
GT Global Mutual Funds may use the performance of these capital markets in order
to demonstrate  general  risk-versus-reward  investment  scenarios.  Performance
comparisons  may also include the  value of a hypothetical  investment in any of
these capital  markets. The  risks associated  with the  security types  in  any
capital market may or may not correspond directly to those of the Fund. Ibbotson
calculates total returns in the same method as the Fund.
    
 
   
In  advertising materials, GT  Global may reference or  discuss its products and
services, which may  include retirement  investing, the  effects of  dollar-cost
averaging  and saving for  college or a  home. In addition,  GT Global may quote
financial or business publications  and periodicals, including model  portfolios
or  allocations, as  they relate to  fund management,  investment philosophy and
investment techniques.
    
 
The Fund may discuss its Quotron number, CUSIP number, and its current portfolio
management team.
 
   
From time to time, the Fund's performance  also may be compared to other  mutual
funds  tracked  by  financial  or  business  publications  and  periodicals. For
example, the  Fund may  quote Morningstar,  Inc. in  its advertising  materials.
Morningstar, Inc. is a mutual fund rating service that rates mutual funds on the
basis of risk-adjusted performance. In addition, the Fund may quote financial or
business  publications  and  periodicals  as  they  relate  to  fund management,
investment philosophy  and  investment  techniques. Rankings  that  compare  the
performance  of GT Global Mutual Funds  to one another in appropriate categories
over specific periods of time may also be quoted in advertising.
    
 
The Fund may  quote various  measures of volatility  and benchmark  correlation,
such  as beta, standard deviation and R(2) in advertising. In addition, the Fund
may compare these measures to those of other funds. Measures of volatility  seek
to  compare  the Fund's  historical share  price  fluctuations or  total returns
compared to those of a benchmark. All measures of volatility and correlation are
calculated using averages of historical data.
 
   
The Fund may  advertise examples of  the effects of  periodic investment  plans,
including the principle of dollar cost averaging. In such a program, an investor
invests  a  fixed  dollar amount  in  the  Fund at  periodic  intervals, thereby
purchasing fewer shares  when prices are  high and more  shares when prices  are
low.  While such a strategy does not assure  a profit or guard against loss in a
declining market, the  investor's average cost  per share can  be lower than  if
fixed  numbers of shares are purchased at the same intervals. In evaluating such
a plan, investors should  consider their ability  to continue purchasing  shares
through periods of low price levels.
    
 
   
The  Fund may describe in its sales  material and advertisements how an investor
may invest in  the GT Global  Mutual Funds through  various retirement plans  or
other programs that offer deferral of income taxes on investment earnings and to
which   an  investor  may  make   deductible  contributions.  Because  of  their
advantages, these retirement plans and programs may produce returns superior  to
comparable non-retirement investments. For example, a $10,000 investment earning
a  taxable return of 10% annually would have an after-tax value of $17,976 after
ten years, assuming tax was deducted from the return each year at a 39.6%  rate.
An  equivalent tax-deferred investment would have  an after-tax value of $19,626
after ten years, assuming  tax was deducted  at a 39.6%  rate from the  deferred
earnings at the end of the ten-year period. In sales
    
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 38
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
   
material and advertisements, the Fund may also discuss these plans and programs.
See  "Information  Relating to  Sales and  Redemptions --  Individual Retirement
Accounts ("IRAs") and Other Tax-Deferred Plans."
    
 
   
GT Global may from time to time in its sales methods and advertising discuss the
risks inherent in investing. The major types of investment risk are market risk,
industry risk,  credit  risk,  interest  rate  risk  and  inflation  risk.  Risk
represents the possibility that you may lose some or all of your investment over
a  period  of time.  A basic  tenet of  investing is  the greater  the potential
reward, the greater the risk.
    
 
   
From time to time, the Fund and  GT Global will quote data regarding  individual
countries,   regions,  world  stock  exchanges   and  economic  and  demographic
statistics from sources  GT Global  deems reliable, including  the economic  and
financial data of financial organizations such as:
    
 
 1) Stock  market  capitalization:  Morgan Stanley  Capital  International World
    Indices, IFC and Datastream.
 
 2) Stock market trading volume:  Morgan Stanley Capital International  Industry
    Indices and IFC.
 
 3) The  number of  listed companies: IFC,  G.T. Guide to  World Equity Markets,
    Salomon Brothers, Inc. and S.G. Warburg.
 
 4) Wage rates: U.S. Department of  Labor Statistics and Morgan Stanley  Capital
    International World Indices.
 
 5) International  industry  performance: Morgan  Stanley  Capital International
    World Indices, Wilshire Associates and Salomon Brothers, Inc.
 
 6) Stock  market  performance:  Morgan  Stanley  Capital  International   World
    Indices, IFC and Datastream.
 
 7) The  Consumer Price Index and inflation rate: The World Bank, Datastream and
    IFC.
 
 8) Gross Domestic Product (GDP): Datastream and The World Bank.
 
 9) GDP growth rate: IFC, The World Bank and Datastream.
 
10) Population: The World Bank, Datastream and United Nations.
 
11) Average annual growth rate (%) of population: The World Bank, Datastream and
    United Nations.
 
12) Age distribution within populations:  Organization for Economic  Cooperation
    and Development and United Nations.
 
13) Total exports and imports by year: IFC, The World Bank and Datastream.
 
   
14) Top three companies by country, industry or market: IFC, G.T. Guide to World
    Equity Markets, Salomon Brothers, Inc., and S.G. Warburg.
    
 
15) Foreign  direct  investments to  developing  countries: The  World  Bank and
    Datastream.
 
16) Standard deviation and performance returns for U.S. and non-U.S. equity  and
    bond markets: Morgan Stanley Capital International.
 
17) Countries  restructuring their debt,  including those under  the Brady Plan:
    the Manager.
 
18) Political and economic structure of countries: Economist Intelligence Unit.
 
19) Government and  corporate bonds  -- credit  ratings, yield  to maturity  and
    performance returns: Salomon Brothers, Inc.
 
20) Dividend yields for U.S. and non-U.S. companies: Bloomberg.
 
21) Supply,  consumption,  demand  and  growth in  demand  of  certain products,
    services and industries, including, but not limited to, electricity,  water,
    transportation, construction materials, natural resources, technology, other
    basic infrastructure, financial services, health care services and supplies,
    consumer products and services and telecommunications equipment and services
    (sources  of such information may include, but  would not be limited to, The
    World Bank, OECD, IMF, Bloomberg and Datastream).
 
In advertising and sales materials, GT  Global may make reference to or  discuss
its products, services and accomplishments. Among these accomplishments are that
in  1983  the Manager  provided assistance  to  the government  of Hong  Kong in
linking its currency to the  U.S. dollar, and that  in 1987 Japan's Ministry  of
Finance  licensed  LGT  Asset  Management  Ltd.  as  one  of  the  first foreign
discretionary investment managers for Japanese investors. Such  accomplishments,
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 39
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
however, should not be viewed as an endorsement of the Manager by the government
of  Hong Kong, Japan's Ministry of Finance or any other government or government
agency. Nor do  any such accomplishments  of the Manager  provide any  assurance
that the GT Global Mutual Funds' investment objectives will be achieved.
 
GT GLOBAL ADVANTAGE
As  part of Liechtenstein Global Trust,  GT Global continues a 75-year tradition
of  service  to  individuals  and  institutions.  Today  we  bring  investors  a
combination of experience, worldwide resources, a global perspective, investment
talent and a time tested investment discipline. With investment professionals in
nine  offices  worldwide,  we  witness world  events  and  economic developments
firsthand.
 
The key to achieving  consistent results is  following a disciplined  investment
process.  Our  approach  to  asset allocation  takes  advantage  of  GT Global's
worldwide  presence  and  global  perspective.  Our  "macroeconomic"   worldview
determines our overall strategy of regional, country and sector allocations. Our
bottom  up  process of  security  selection combines  fundamental  research with
quantitative analysis through our proprietary models.
 
   
Built-in checks  and balances  strengthen  the process,  enhancing  professional
experience  and judgment with an objective  assessment of risk. Ultimately, each
security we select has  passed a ranking system  that helps our portfolio  teams
determine  when to buy and when to sell.  With respect to stocks, a global stock
research (GSR) database  developed by  GT Global  is utilized  in the  selection
process.  All stocks  within the GSR  database are systematically  ranked by our
analysts on a 1-5 basis with 1 representing the most favored. The rankings along
with our quantitative, fundamental research,  determine which stocks are  bought
and sold.
    
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 40
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF DEBT RATINGS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
DESCRIPTION OF BOND RATINGS
Moody's  rates the debt securities issued by various entities from "Aaa" to "C".
Investment grade ratings are the first four categories:
 
        Aaa --  Best quality.  These  securities carry  the smallest  degree  of
    investment  risk  and are  generally referred  to  as "gilt  edge." Interest
    payments are  protected  by a  large  or exceptionally  stable  margin,  and
    principal  is secure.  While the various  protective elements  are likely to
    change, such changes as  can be visualized are  most unlikely to impair  the
    fundamentally strong position of such issues.
 
        Aa  -- High quality by all standards. They are rated lower than the best
    bond because margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities,
    fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there  may
    be  other elements  present which  make the  long-term risk  appear somewhat
    greater.
 
        A  --  Upper  medium  grade  obligations.  Factors  giving  security  to
    principal  and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present
    which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
 
        Baa  --  Medium  grade  obligations.  Interest  payments  and  principal
    security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may
    be  lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of
    time. Such bonds  lack outstanding  investment characteristics  and in  fact
    have speculative characteristics as well.
 
        Ba -- Have speculative elements and their future cannot be considered to
    be well assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may
    be very moderate, and thereby not well safeguarded during other good and bad
    times  over the future. Uncertainty of  position characterizes bonds in this
    class.
 
        B  --  Generally  lack  characteristics  of  the  desirable  investment.
    Assurance  of interest  and principal  payments or  of maintenance  of other
    terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
 
        Caa -- Poor  standing. Such issues  may be  in default or  there may  be
    present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.
 
        Ca  -- Speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or
    have other marked shortcomings.
 
        C -- Lowest rated  class of bonds.  Issues so rated  can be regarded  as
    having  extremely  poor  prospects  of ever  attaining  any  real investment
    standing.
 
ABSENCE OF RATING: Where no rating has been assigned or where a rating has  been
suspended  or withdrawn, it may  be for reasons unrelated  to the quality of the
issue.
 
Should no rating be assigned, the reason may be one of the following:
 
    1. An application for rating was not received or accepted.
 
    2. The issue or issuer  belongs to a group  of securities or companies  that
are not rated as a matter of policy.
 
    3. There is a lack of essential data pertaining to the issue or issuer.
 
    4. The issue was privately placed, in which case the rating is not published
in Moody's publications.
 
Suspension  or withdrawal may occur if new and material circumstances arise, the
effects of which preclude satisfactory analysis; if there is no longer available
reasonable up-to-date data  to permit  a judgment  to be  formed; if  a bond  is
called for redemption; or for other reasons.
 
Note:  Moody's applies  numerical modifiers  1, 2 and  3 in  each generic rating
classification from Aa to B in its corporate bond rating system. The modifier  1
indicates  that  the Company  ranks  in the  higher  end of  its  generic rating
category; the  modifier 2  indicates a  mid-range ranking;  and the  modifier  3
indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating category.
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 41
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
S&P  rates the  securities debt of  various entities in  categories ranging from
"AAA" to "DD" according to quality. Investment grade ratings are the first  four
categories:
 
        AAA  -- Highest rating. Capacity to  pay interest and repay principal is
    extremely strong.
 
        AA --  High  grade. Very  strong  capacity  to pay  interest  and  repay
    principal.  Generally, these  bonds differ from  AAA issues only  in a small
    degree.
 
        A -- Have a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal although
    they are  somewhat more  susceptible to  the adverse  effects of  change  in
    circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.
 
        BBB  -- Regarded as  having adequate capacity to  pay interest and repay
    principal. These bonds normally exhibit adequate protection parameters,  but
    adverse  economic conditions  or changing  circumstances are  more likely to
    lead to a  weakened capacity to  pay interest and  repay principal than  for
    debt in higher rated categories.
 
        BB,  B, CCC,  CC, C --  Debt rated "BB,"  "B," "CCC," "CC,"  and "C" are
    regarded, on balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to  capacity
    to  pay interest and  repay principal in  accordance with the  terms of this
    obligation. "BB"  indicates the  lowest degree  of speculation  and "C"  the
    highest degree of speculation. While such debt will likely have some quality
    and  protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties
    or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.
 
        BB -- Has less near-term vulnerability to default than other speculative
    issues; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse
    business, financial or  economic conditions which  could lead to  inadequate
    capacity  to meet  timely interest and  principal payments.  The "BB" rating
    category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is  assigned
    an actual or implied "BBB-" rating.
 
        B  --  Has a  greater  vulnerability to  default  but currently  has the
    capacity  to  meet  interest  payments  and  principal  repayments.  Adverse
    business,  financial or economic  conditions will likely  impair capacity or
    willingness to pay interest and repay principal. The "B" rating category  is
    also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or
    implied "BB" or "BB-" rating.
 
        CCC  -- Has  a currently  indefinable vulnerability  to default,  and is
    dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions to meet
    timely payment  of interest  and repayment  of principal.  In the  event  of
    adverse business, financial or economic conditions, it is not likely to have
    the  capacity to pay interest and repay principal. The "CCC" rating category
    is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual
    or implied "B" or "B-" rating.
 
        CC -- Typically  applied to  debt subordinated  to senior  debt that  is
    assigned an actual or implied "CCC" rating.
 
        C  -- Typically  applied to  debt subordinated  to senior  debt which is
    assigned an actual or implied "CCC-" debt rating. The "C" rating may be used
    to cover a situation  where a bankruptcy petition  has been filed, but  debt
    service payments are continued.
 
        C -- Reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being paid.
 
        D  -- In payment default. The "D"  rating is used when interest payments
    are not made on  the date due  even if the applicable  grace period has  not
    expired,  unless S&P  believes that such  payments will be  made during such
    grace period.  The  "D" rating  also  will be  used  upon the  filing  of  a
    bankruptcy petition if debt service payments are jeopardized.
 
PLUS  (+) OR MINUS  (-): The ratings from  "AA" to "CCC" may  be modified by the
addition of a  plus or minus  sign to  show relative standing  within the  major
rating categories.
 
NR:  Indicates  that  no  public  rating  has  been  requested,  that  there  is
insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate  a
particular type of obligation as a matter of policy.
 
DESCRIPTION OF COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
Moody's  employs the designations "Prime-1" and "Prime-2" to indicate commercial
paper having the highest  capacity for timely  repayment. Issuers rated  Prime-1
have  a superior  capacity for  repayment of  short-term promissory obligations.
Prime-1  repayment  capacity  normally  will  be  evidenced  by  the   following
characteristics:  leading market positions  in well-established industries; high
rates of return on funds  employed; conservative capitalization structures  with
moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protections; broad margins in earnings
coverage  of  fixed financial  charges and  high  internal cash  generation; and
well-established access to a range of  financial markets and assured sources  of
alternate  liquidity. Issues rated Prime-2 have  a strong capacity for repayment
of short-term promissory obligations. This normally will be evidenced by many of
the characteristics cited  above, but to  a lesser degree.  Earnings trends  and
coverage ratios,
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 42
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
while  sound, will be more subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics,
while still  appropriate, may  be more  affected by  external conditions.  Ample
alternate liquidity is maintained.
 
S&P ratings of commercial paper are graded into four categories ranging from "A"
for  the highest quality obligations to "D" for the lowest. A -- Issues assigned
its highest  rating are  regarded as  having the  greatest capacity  for  timely
payment.  Issues in  this category are  delineated with  numbers 1, 2,  and 3 to
indicate the relative degree of safety.  A-1 -- This designation indicates  that
the  degree of  safety regarding timely  payment is either  overwhelming or very
strong. Those issues determined  to possess overwhelming safety  characteristics
will  be denoted with a  plus (++) sign designation.  A-2 -- Capacity for timely
payments on issues with this designation is strong; however, the relative degree
of safety is not as high as for issues designated "A-1."
 
COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
The Fund may invest only in high quality commercial paper, i.e. commercial paper
rated Prime-1 by Moody's, A-1 by S&P,  or, if unrated, judged by the Manager  to
be  of comparable  quality. Issuers  rated Prime-1  by Moody's  have, in Moody's
judgment, a  superior capacity  for repayment  of short-term  debt  obligations.
Prime-1   repayment  capacity  will  normally  be  evidenced  by  the  following
characteristics: leading market positions  in well-established industries;  high
rates  of return on funds  employed; conservative capitalization structures with
moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protections; broad margins in earnings
coverage of  fixed financial  charges  and high  internal cash  generation;  and
well-established  access to a range of  financial markets and assured sources of
alternate liquidity. Issues assigned the A-1  rating by S&P are regarded by  S&P
as  having the greatest capacity for  timely payment. This designation indicates
that the degree  of safety regarding  timely payment is  either overwhelming  or
very strong.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
The  audited financial statements of  the Fund as of  December 31, 1996, and for
its fiscal  year  then-ended, and  as  of June  30,  1997, and  for  the  period
then-ended, appear on the following pages.
    
 
                  Statement of Additional Information Page 43
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of G.T. Global Developing Markets
Fund, Inc. ("Fund"):
 
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of G.T.
Global Developing Markets Fund, Inc., including the portfolio of investments, as
of December 31, 1996, the related statement of operations for the year then
ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the
period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods
indicated herein. These financial statements and the financial highlights are
the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements and the financial highlights based on our
audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and the financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of
December 31, 1996, by correspondence with the custodians and brokers. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
 
In our opinion, the financial statements and the financial highlights referred
to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
G.T. Global Developing Markets Fund, Inc. as of December 31, 1996, the results
of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for
each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for
each of the periods indicated herein, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
 
                                                        COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
 
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
FEBRUARY 14, 1997
 
                                       F1
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                            PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
 
                               December 31, 1996
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           VALUE         % OF NET
EQUITY INVESTMENTS                                             COUNTRY      SHARES        (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -----------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                            <C>        <C>           <C>            <C>
Finance (23.8%)
  Banco LatinoAmericano de Exportaciones S.A. (Bladex)
   "E"{\/} ..................................................   PAN           277,800   $ 14,098,350         2.8
    OTHER FINANCIAL
  Peregrine Investment Holdings Ltd. ........................   HK          7,955,000     13,628,620         2.7
    INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
  Uniao Bancos Brasileiras "A" Preferred ....................   BRZL      334,200,000     10,905,169         2.2
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  Banco Totta & Acores "B" - Registered .....................   PORT          570,814     10,768,130         2.1
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  Tai Cheung Holdings Ltd. ..................................   HK         10,000,000      9,438,841         1.9
    REAL ESTATE
  Banco Itau S.A. Preferred .................................   BRZL       20,890,000      9,048,513         1.8
    BANKS-REGIONAL
  Banco Ganadero S.A. - ADR{\/} .............................   COL           402,500      8,653,750         1.7
    BANKS-REGIONAL
  Suramericana de Seguros S.A. ..............................   COL           464,609      8,496,974         1.7
    INSURANCE - MULTI-LINE
  Ayala Land, Inc. "B" ......................................   PHIL        6,895,200      7,877,228         1.6
    REAL ESTATE
  State Bank of India Ltd. - GDR-/- {\/} ....................   IND           361,000      6,270,570         1.2
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  Administradora de Fondos de Pensiones Provida S.A. -
   ADR{\/} ..................................................   CHLE          248,400      4,657,500         0.9
    INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
  Malaysian Assurance Alliance Bhd. .........................   MAL           892,000      4,345,188         0.9
    INSURANCE - MULTI-LINE
  Bank Gdanski S.A. - GDR{\/} ...............................   POL           337,100      4,239,033         0.8
    BANKS-REGIONAL
  PSIL Bangkok Bank Co., Ltd. (Entitlement
   Certificates){\/} ........................................   THAI          500,000      3,685,000         0.7
    OTHER FINANCIAL
  Banco de Colombia: ........................................   COL                --             --         0.7
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
    144A GDR{.} {\/} ........................................   --            357,200      2,634,350          --
    Common ..................................................   --          2,365,000        952,018          --
  Banco Commercial S.A. - Reg. S GDR{c} {\/} ................   URGY           29,300        476,125         0.1
    BANKS-REGIONAL
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                         120,175,359
                                                                                        ------------
Energy (10.8%)
  LUKoil Holding - ADR{\/} ..................................   RUS           269,400     12,392,400         2.5
    GAS PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION
  C.A. La Electricidad de Caracas ...........................   VENZ       10,188,891     10,343,943         2.1
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
  Companhia Energetica de Minas Gerais (Cemig) - ADR{\/} ....   BRZL          275,350      9,086,550         1.8
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
  Triton Energy Ltd.-/- .....................................   US            165,100      8,007,350         1.6
    OIL
  Benton Oil & Gas Co.-/- ...................................   US            321,600      7,276,200         1.4
    OIL
  Czeske Energeticke Zavody (CEZ AS)-/- .....................   CZCH          134,030      4,827,289         1.0
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                       F2
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                               December 31, 1996
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           VALUE         % OF NET
EQUITY INVESTMENTS                                             COUNTRY      SHARES        (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -----------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                            <C>        <C>           <C>            <C>
Energy (Continued)
  Empresa Nacional de Electricidad S.A. - ADR{\/} ...........   CHLE          135,800   $  2,104,900         0.4
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                          54,038,632
                                                                                        ------------
Materials/Basic Industry (7.7%)
  General Mining Union Corp. (Gencor) .......................   SAFR        2,750,000      9,997,861         2.0
    METALS - NON-FERROUS
  Kimberly-Clark de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. "A" ................   MEX           504,000      9,962,120         2.0
    PAPER/PACKAGING
  Gujarat Ambuja Cements - GDR{\/} ..........................   IND         1,053,040      8,687,580         1.7
    CEMENT
  Anglo American Corporation of South Africa Ltd. ...........   SAFR           74,900      4,124,626         0.8
    GOLD
  Oryx Gold Holdings Ltd.-/- ................................   SAFR        2,235,600      3,231,962         0.6
    GOLD
  Industrias Penoles S.A. "CP" ..............................   MEX           871,000      3,088,967         0.6
    METALS - NON-FERROUS
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                          39,093,116
                                                                                        ------------
Services (6.5%)
  Dickson Concepts International Ltd. .......................   HK          3,122,800     11,709,491         2.3
    WHOLESALE & INTERNATIONAL TRADE
  SPT Telecom-/- ............................................   CZCH           62,453      7,779,628         1.5
    TELEPHONE NETWORKS
  Amway Asia Pacific Ltd.{\/} ...............................   HK            160,000      6,780,000         1.4
    WHOLESALE & INTERNATIONAL TRADE
  South China Morning Post (Holdings) Ltd. ..................   HK          7,940,000      6,570,468         1.3
    BROADCASTING & PUBLISHING
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                          32,839,587
                                                                                        ------------
Consumer Non-Durables (4.0%)
  Companhia Cervejaria Brahma Preferred .....................   BRZL       17,020,000      9,305,381         1.9
    BEVERAGES - ALCOHOLIC
  Panamerican Beverages, Inc. "A"{\/} .......................   MEX           115,400      5,409,375         1.1
    BEVERAGES - NON-ALCOHOLIC
  Bavaria ...................................................   COL         1,249,459      5,091,722         1.0
    BEVERAGES - ALCOHOLIC
  Noble China-/- {/\} .......................................   CHNA          103,700        206,764          --
    BEVERAGES - ALCOHOLIC
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                          20,013,242
                                                                                        ------------
Consumer Durables (2.0%)
  Johnson Electric Holdings Ltd. ............................   HK          3,500,000      9,684,510         1.9
    AUTO PARTS
  Tata Engineering and Locomotive Co., Ltd. - GDR{\/} .......   IND            48,000        510,000         0.1
    AUTOMOBILES
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                          10,194,510
                                                                                        ------------
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                       F3
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                               December 31, 1996
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           VALUE         % OF NET
EQUITY INVESTMENTS                                             COUNTRY      SHARES        (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -----------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                            <C>        <C>           <C>            <C>
Multi-Industry/Miscellaneous (1.8%)
  Banco Comercial Portugues "A", Convertible Preferred, 8%
   till 6/30/03{\/ } ........................................   PORT          120,000   $  6,195,000         1.2
    MISCELLANEOUS
  Grasim Industries Ltd. - GDR{\/} ..........................   IND           157,000      2,355,000         0.5
    MISCELLANEOUS
  Mosenergo - 144A ADR{.} -/- {\/} ..........................   RUS            10,000        302,500         0.1
    MISCELLANEOUS
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                           8,852,500
                                                                                        ------------
Capital Goods (0.3%)
  Hindalco Industries Ltd. - 144A GDR{.} {\/} ...............   IND            52,500      1,286,250         0.3
    INDUSTRIAL COMPONENTS
  ECI Telecommunications Ltd.{\/} ...........................   ISRL            7,000        148,750          --
    TELECOM EQUIPMENT
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                           1,435,000
                                                                                        ------------       -----
 
TOTAL EQUITY INVESTMENTS (cost $252,541,405) ................                            286,641,946        56.9
                                                                                        ------------       -----
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                           PRINCIPAL       VALUE         % OF NET
FIXED INCOME INVESTMENTS                                       CURRENCY     AMOUNT        (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -----------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                            <C>        <C>           <C>            <C>
Government & Government Agency Obligations (26.1%)
  Argentina (4.4%)
    Republic of Argentina:
      Discount Bond, 6.375% due 3/31/23+ ....................   USD        11,237,000      8,673,559         1.7
      Par Bond, 5.25% due 3/31/23++ .........................   USD         8,470,000      5,399,625         1.1
      BOCON Pre 4, 5.375% due 9/1/02[.] + ...................   USD         4,443,000      4,777,336         0.9
      Floating Rate Bond, 6.625% due 3/31/05+ ...............   USD         4,194,400      3,656,993         0.7
  Brazil (4.0%)
    Federal Republic of Brazil:
      C Bond, 4.5% due 4/15/14 (Effective rate at year end is
       7.08125%, including "payment-in-kind" bonds.)[.]
       ++ ...................................................   USD        24,899,773     18,363,746         3.6
      MYDFA Floating Rate Note, 6.6875% due 9/15/07 - 144A+
       {.} ..................................................   USD         2,346,000      2,011,695         0.4
  Bulgaria (1.3%)
    Bulgaria, Discount Bond Series A, 6.6875% due 7/28/24 -
     EURO+ ..................................................   USD        11,344,000      6,444,810         1.3
  Costa Rica (0.1%)
    Banco Central de Costa Rica, Principal Bond Series A,
     6.25% due 5/21/10 ......................................   USD           900,000        735,750         0.1
  Ecuador (2.9%)
    Ecuador:
      Past Due Interest Bond, 3% due 2/27/15 - Bearer
       (Effective rate at year end is 5.1525%, including
       "payment-in-kind" bonds).[.] + .......................   USD        17,527,297     10,779,287         2.1
      Discount Bond, 6.5% due 2/28/25 - EURO+ ...............   USD         4,650,000      3,208,500         0.6
      Past Due Interest Bond, 3% due 2/27/15 - Registered
       (Effective rate at year end is 5.1525%, including
       "payment-in-kind" bonds.)[.] + .......................   USD         1,321,738        812,869         0.2
  Kazakhstan (0.2%)
    Republic of Kazakhstan, 9.25% due 12/20/99 - 144A{.} ....   USD           820,000        826,663         0.2
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                       F4
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                               December 31, 1996
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           PRINCIPAL       VALUE         % OF NET
FIXED INCOME INVESTMENTS                                       CURRENCY     AMOUNT        (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -----------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                            <C>        <C>           <C>            <C>
Government & Government Agency Obligations (Continued)
  Mexico (3.0%)
    United Mexican States:
      Global Bond, 11.5% due 5/15/26 ........................   USD         2,926,000   $  3,094,245         0.6
      11.375% due 9/15/16 - 144A{.} .........................   USD         2,380,000      2,487,100         0.5
      7.5625% due 8/6/01 - 144A+ {.} ........................   USD         2,109,000      2,113,956         0.4
      Discount Bond Series C, 6.375% due 12/31/19+ +/+ ......   USD         2,331,000      2,010,488         0.4
    Banco Nacional de Comercio Exterior, S.N.C. (BNCE) Trust
     Division, 11.25% due 5/30/06 - 144A{.} .................   USD         4,394,000      4,679,610         0.9
    Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), 6.5% due 3/8/99+ ...........   USD         1,000,000        986,250         0.2
  Nigeria (2.5%)
    Central Bank of Nigeria, Par Bond, 6.25% due
     11/15/20+/+ ............................................   USD        18,000,000     12,420,000         2.5
  Panama (1.6%)
    Panama, Interest Reduction Bond, 3.5% due 7/17/14 -
     144A++ {.} .............................................   USD        11,525,000      7,981,063         1.6
  Philippines (0.6%)
    Republic of Philippines, 8.75% due 10/7/16 - 144A{.} ....   USD         3,127,000      3,254,034         0.6
  Poland (1.3%)
    Poland, Past Due Interest Bond, 4% due 10/27/14 -
     EURO++ .................................................   USD         7,500,000      6,337,500         1.3
  Venezuela (4.2%)
    Republic of Venezuela:
      Debt Conversion Bond, 6.5% due 12/18/07+ ..............   USD         9,500,000      8,383,750         1.7
      Front Loaded Interest Reduction Bond Series A, 6.625%
       due 3/31/07+ .........................................   USD         6,750,000      6,024,375         1.2
      Par Bond Series A, 6.75% due 3/31/20+/+ ...............   USD         5,500,000      4,207,500         0.8
      Front Loaded Interest Reduction Bond Series B, 6.4375%
       due 3/31/07+ .........................................   USD         2,750,000      2,454,375         0.5
                                                                                        ------------
Total Government & Government Agency Obligations (cost
 $113,935,636) ..............................................                            132,125,079
                                                                                        ------------
Sovereign Debt (6.1%)
  Morocco (2.0%)
    Kingdom of Morocco, Tranche A Loan Agreement, 6.375% due
     1/1/09+ ................................................   USD        12,250,000     10,106,250         2.0
  Russia (4.1%)
    Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs (Vnesheconombank)
     Loan Agreement - Assignment ** -/- {j} .................   USD        22,635,000     18,023,119         3.6
    Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs (Vnesheconombank)
     Loan Agreement - Assignment ** -/- .....................   DEM         4,186,000      2,299,850         0.5
                                                                                        ------------
Total Sovereign Debt (cost $22,218,547) .....................                             30,429,219
                                                                                        ------------
Corporate Bonds (4.9%)
  Argentina (0.8%)
    Banco de Credito Argentina, 8.5% due 12/18/98 -
     144A{.} ................................................   USD         3,000,000      2,996,250         0.6
    Central Termica Guemes S.A., 12% due 11/26/01 -
     144A{.} ................................................   USD         1,020,000      1,037,850         0.2
  Brazil (0.4%)
    Tevecap S.A., 12.625% due 11/26/04 - 144A{.} ............   USD           840,000        858,900         0.2
    TV Filme, Inc., 12.875% due 12/15/04 - 144A{.} ..........   USD           844,000        848,748         0.2
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                       F5
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                               December 31, 1996
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           PRINCIPAL       VALUE         % OF NET
FIXED INCOME INVESTMENTS                                       CURRENCY     AMOUNT        (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -----------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                            <C>        <C>           <C>            <C>
Corporate Bonds (Continued)
  China (0.3%)
    AES China Generating Co., Ltd., 10.125% due 12/15/06 ....   USD         1,385,000   $  1,433,475         0.3
  Colombia (0.4%)
    Celcaribe S.A. Units, 13.5% due 3/15/04 - 144A++ {.} {F}
     -/- ....................................................   USD               200      2,120,000         0.4
  India (0.4%)
    Reliance Industries Ltd., Convertible Bond, 3.5% due
     11/03/99 ...............................................   USD         1,690,000      1,795,625         0.4
  Indonesia (1.4%)
    PT Tjiwi Kimia, 13.25% due 8/1/01 .......................   USD         2,000,000      2,270,000         0.4
    PT Polysindo International Finance, 13% due 6/15/01:
      EURO ..................................................   USD         1,380,000      1,549,050         0.3
      DTC ...................................................   USD           280,000        314,300         0.1
    Tri Polyta Finance BV, 11.375% due 12/1/03 ..............   USD         1,537,000      1,610,008         0.3
    FSW International Finance Co., 12.5% due 11/1/06 -
     144A{.} ................................................   USD         1,350,000      1,436,063         0.3
  Luxembourg (0.2%)
    Millicom International Cellular, effective yield 13.5%,
     due 6/1/06 - 144A{.} ...................................   USD         1,500,000        937,500         0.2
  Mexico (0.4%)
    Grupo Industrial Durango, S.A., 12.625% due 8/1/03 ......   USD         1,933,000      2,104,554         0.4
  Philippines (0.1%)
    CE Casecnan Water & Energy Series B, 11.95% due 11/15/10
     - Reg. S{c} ............................................   USD           365,000        420,663         0.1
    Filinvest Capital, Convertible Bond, 3.75% due 2/1/02 -
     144A{.} ................................................   USD           137,000        132,205          --
  Poland (0.2%)
    Poland Communications, Inc., 9.875% due 11/01/03 -
     144A{.} ................................................   USD           866,000        866,000         0.2
  Turkey (0.3%)
    Sultan Ltd., 8.33984% due 6/11/99+ ......................   USD         1,700,000      1,636,250         0.3
                                                                                        ------------
Total Corporate Bonds (cost $24,039,360) ....................                             24,367,441
                                                                                        ------------       -----
 
TOTAL FIXED INCOME INVESTMENTS (cost $160,193,543) ..........                            186,921,739        37.1
                                                                                        ------------       -----
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                          UNDERLYING
                                                                            NOMINAL        VALUE         % OF NET
OPTIONS                                                        CURRENCY     AMOUNT        (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -----------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                            <C>        <C>           <C>            <C>
  Brazil C Bond, due 4/15/14, Call Options, strike price
   $74.1875, expire 3/3/97-/- ...............................   USD        48,575,486        754,183         0.2
    GOVERNMENT & GOVERNMENT AGENCY OBLIGATIONS
  Venezuela Debt Conversion Bond, due 12/18/07, Call Options,
   strike price $87.188, expire 3/5/97-/- ...................   USD        11,250,000        222,255          --
    GOVERNMENT & GOVERNMENT AGENCY OBLIGATIONS
                                                                                        ------------       -----
 
TOTAL OPTIONS (cost $1,389,128) .............................                                976,438         0.2
                                                                                        ------------       -----
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                       F6
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                               December 31, 1996
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           PRINCIPAL       VALUE         % OF NET
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS                                         CURRENCY     AMOUNT        (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -----------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                            <C>        <C>           <C>            <C>
Treasury Bills (1.4%)
  Mexico (1.4%)
    Mexican Cetes: ..........................................   MXN                --             --         1.4
      Current yield 22.53%, due 1/16/97 .....................   --         27,865,770   $  3,509,167          --
      Current yield 23.64%, due 1/23/97 .....................   --         20,438,200      2,560,971          --
      Current yield 24.21%, due 1/30/97 .....................   --          5,558,850        693,086          --
      Current yield 24.96%, due 2/20/97 .....................   --          1,454,930        178,745          --
      Current yield 24.56%, due 2/6/97 ......................   --            606,220         75,212          --
                                                                                        ------------
Total Treasury Bills (cost $6,887,783) ......................                              7,017,181
                                                                                        ------------
Structured Notes (1.3%)
  Russia (1.3%)
    Russian Federation GKO (Treasury Bills) Linked Notes with
     cancellable currency forwards attached: ................   USD                --             --         1.3
      Due 7/2/97 ............................................   --          4,761,328      4,025,560          --
      Due 7/30/97 ...........................................   --          3,238,274      2,674,944          --
      (Notes issued by Credit Suisse First Boston (Cayman)
       Ltd. These notes are linked to the local price in
       Russian rubles of 26,330 and 17,896 Titles of Russian
       treasury bills maturing 7/2/97 and 7/30/97,
       respectively. These 7/2/97 and 7/30/97 notes include
       options to sell the Russian ruble proceeds at maturity
       for US dollars at the contracted forward rates of
       6,333.41 and 6,399.46, respectively.)
                                                                                        ------------
Total Structured Notes (cost $6,667,343) ....................                              6,700,504
                                                                                        ------------
Commercial Paper - Indexed (0.5%)
  Philippines (0.5%)
    National Westminster Bank PLC, Currency-Linked CD,
     12.3798% due 2/28/97 (cost $2,500,000) .................   USD         2,500,000      2,445,750         0.5
                                                                                        ------------
Commercial Paper - Discounted (0.2%)
  Thailand (0.2%)
    Phatra Thanakit Co., Ltd., current yield 10.41%, due
     5/9/97
     (cost $947,326) ........................................   THB        25,000,000        941,068         0.2
                                                                                        ------------       -----
 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (cost $17,002,452) .............                             17,104,503         3.4
                                                                                        ------------       -----
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                       F7
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                               December 31, 1996
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           VALUE         % OF NET
REPURCHASE AGREEMENT                                                                      (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -------------------------------------------------------------                           ------------   -------------
<S>                                                            <C>        <C>           <C>            <C>
  Dated December 31, 1996, with State Street Bank & Trust
   Co., due
   January 2, 1997, for an effective yield of 6.25%,
   collateralized by $2,210,000 U.S. Treasury Bonds, 8.125%
   due 8/15/19 (market value of collateral is $2,651,106,
   including accrued interest). (cost $2,598,452) ...........                           $  2,598,452         0.5
                                                                                        ------------       -----
 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (cost $433,724,980)  * ....................                            494,243,078        98.1
Other Assets and Liabilities ................................                              9,769,301         1.9
                                                                                        ------------       -----
 
NET ASSETS ..................................................                           $504,012,379       100.0
                                                                                        ------------       -----
                                                                                        ------------       -----
</TABLE>
 
- --------------
 
       {\/}  U.S. currency denominated.
        {.}  Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities
             Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt
             from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers.
       {/\}  Security is denominated in CAD.
        -/-  Non-income producing security.
        {c}  Security issued under Regulation S. Rule 144A and additional
             restrictions may apply in the resale of such securities.
          +  The coupon rate shown on floating rate note represents the rate at
             period end.
         **  Underlying loan agreement currently in default.
        {j}  All or part of the Fund's holdings in this security is segregated
             as collateral for when-issued securities. See Note 1 to the
             Financial Statements.
         ++  The coupon rate shown on step-up coupon bond represents the rate at
             period end.
        {F}  The principal amount should be read as units.
        [.]  Bond pays stated or additional interest with "payment-in-kind"
             (PIK) bonds.
        +/+  Issued with detachable warrants or value recovery rights. The
             current market value of each warrant or right is zero.
          *  For Federal income tax purposes, cost is $434,696,083 and
             appreciation (depreciation) is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
                 <S>                              <C>
                 Unrealized appreciation:         $  75,166,464
                 Unrealized depreciation:           (15,619,469)
                                                  -------------
                 Net unrealized appreciation:     $  59,546,995
                                                  -------------
                                                  -------------
</TABLE>
 
    Abbreviations:
    ADR--American Depository Receipt
    GDR--Global Depository Receipt
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                       F8
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                               December 31, 1996
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund's Portfolio of Investments at December 31, 1996, was concentrated in
the following countries:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               PERCENTAGE OF NET ASSETS {D}
                                        -------------------------------------------
                                                 FIXED INCOME,
                                                   RIGHTS &      SHORT-TERM
COUNTRY (COUNTRY CODE/CURRENCY CODE)    EQUITY     WARRANTS       & OTHER     TOTAL
- --------------------------------------  ------   -------------   ----------   -----
<S>                                     <C>      <C>             <C>          <C>
Argentina (ARG/ARS) ..................                5.2                       5.2
Brazil (BRZL/BRL) ....................    7.7         4.4            0.2       12.3
Bulgaria (BUL/LEV) ...................                1.3                       1.3
Chile (CHLE/CLP) .....................    1.3                                   1.3
China (CHNA/RMB) .....................                0.3                       0.3
Colombia (COL/COP) ...................    5.1         0.4                       5.5
Costa Rica (CR/CRI) ..................                0.1                       0.1
Czech Republic (CZCH/CSK) ............    2.5                                   2.5
Ecuador (ECDR/ECS) ...................                2.9                       2.9
Hong Kong (HK/HKD) ...................   11.5                                  11.5
India (IND/INR) ......................    3.8         0.4                       4.2
Indonesia (INDO/IDR) .................                1.4                       1.4
Kazakhstan (KAZ/KTS) .................                0.2                       0.2
Luxembourg (LUX/LUF) .................                0.2                       0.2
Malaysia (MAL/MYR) ...................    0.9                                   0.9
Mexico (MEX/MXN) .....................    3.7         3.4            1.4        8.5
Morocco (MOR/MAD) ....................                2.0                       2.0
Nigeria (NGE/NEN) ....................                2.5                       2.5
Panama (PAN/PND) .....................    2.8         1.6                       4.4
Philippines (PHIL/PHP) ...............    1.6         0.7            0.5        2.8
Poland (POL/PLZ) .....................    0.8         1.5                       2.3
Portugal (PORT/PTE) ..................    3.3                                   3.3
Russia (RUS/SUR) .....................    2.6         4.1            1.3        8.0
South Africa (SAFR/ZAR) ..............    3.4                                   3.4
Thailand (THAI/THB) ..................    0.7                        0.2        0.9
Turkey (TRKY/TRL) ....................                0.3                       0.3
United States & Other (US/USD) .......    3.0                        2.4        5.4
Uruguay (URGY/UYP) ...................    0.1                                   0.1
Venezuela (VENZ/VEB) .................    2.1         4.2                       6.3
                                        ------      -----          -----      -----
Total  ...............................   56.9        37.1            6.0      100.0
                                        ------      -----          -----      -----
                                        ------      -----          -----      -----
</TABLE>
 
- --------------
 
{d}  Percentages indicated are based on net assets of $504,012,379.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                 FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS OUTSTANDING
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           MARKET VALUE     CONTRACT    DELIVERY    UNREALIZED
CONTRACTS TO SELL:                        (U.S. DOLLARS)      PRICE       DATE     APPRECIATION
- ----------------------------------------  --------------   -----------  --------  --------------
<S>                                       <C>              <C>          <C>       <C>
Deutsche Marks..........................     3,038,782         1.48850  02/13/97   $    91,886
                                                                                  --------------
THE VALUE OF CONTRACTS TO SELL AS A
 PERCENTAGE OF NET ASSETS IS 0.60%.
  Total Open Forward Foreign Currency
   Contracts (Receivable amount
   $3,130,668)..........................                                           $    91,886
                                                                                  --------------
                                                                                  --------------
</TABLE>
 
- ----------------
See Note 1 to the financial statements.
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                       F9
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                              STATEMENT OF ASSETS
                                 AND LIABILITIES
                               December 31, 1996
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>       <C>
Assets:
  Investments in securities, at value (cost $433,724,980) (Note 1)....  $ 494,243,078
  U.S. currency.............................................  $134,479
  Foreign currencies (cost $4,165)..........................     4,060        138,539
                                                              --------
  Segregated cash (Note 1)............................................      4,000,000
  Receivable for securities sold......................................      8,220,070
  Interest receivable.................................................      2,831,350
  Dividends and dividend withholding tax reclaims receivable..........        269,354
  Unamortized organizational costs (Note 1)...........................        144,242
  Receivable for open forward foreign currency contracts, net (Note
   1).................................................................         91,886
  Miscellaneous receivable............................................          2,700
  Cash held as collateral for securities loaned (Note 1)..............     21,260,009
                                                                        -------------
    Total assets......................................................    531,201,228
                                                                        -------------
Liabilities:
  Payable for securities purchased....................................      4,954,775
  Payable for investment management and administration fees (Note
   2).................................................................        682,328
  Payable for professional fees.......................................         43,323
  Payable for custodian fees..........................................         39,778
  Payable for printing and postage expenses...........................         36,934
  Payable for Directors' fees and expenses (Note 2)...................         12,149
  Payable for fund accounting fees (Note 2)...........................          9,825
  Payable for registration and filing fees............................          2,127
  Payable for transfer agent fees (Note 2)............................          1,664
  Other accrued expenses..............................................        145,937
  Collateral for securities loaned (Note 1)...........................     21,260,009
                                                                        -------------
    Total liabilities.................................................     27,188,849
                                                                        -------------
Net assets............................................................  $ 504,012,379
                                                                        -------------
                                                                        -------------
Net asset value per share ($504,012,380 DIVIDED BY 36,416,667 shares
 outstanding).........................................................  $       13.84
                                                                        -------------
                                                                        -------------
Net assets consist of:
  Paid in capital (Note 4)............................................  $ 545,109,494
  Undistributed net investment income.................................        363,782
  Accumulated net realized loss on investments and foreign currency
   transactions.......................................................   (102,069,253)
  Net unrealized appreciation on translation of assets and liabilities
   in foreign currencies..............................................         90,258
  Net unrealized appreciation of investments..........................     60,518,098
                                                                        -------------
Total -- representing net assets applicable to capital shares
 outstanding..........................................................  $ 504,012,379
                                                                        -------------
                                                                        -------------
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                      F10
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                            STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
                          Year ended December 31, 1996
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
Investment income: (Note 1)
  Interest income........................................................  $20,641,051
  Dividend income (net of foreign withholding tax of $420,409)...........    7,351,830
  Other income...........................................................       74,487
                                                                           -----------
    Total investment income..............................................   28,067,368
                                                                           -----------
Expenses:
  Investment management fees (Note 2)....................................    6,673,159
  Administration fees (Note 2)...........................................    1,191,681
  Custodian fees (Note 1)................................................      332,166
  Transfer agent fees (Note 2)...........................................      190,834
  Fund accounting fees (Note 2)..........................................      119,321
  Professional fees......................................................      101,382
  Amortization of organization costs (Note 1)............................       70,949
  Printing and postage expenses..........................................       65,880
  Directors' fees and expenses (Note 2)..................................       38,064
  Registration and filing fees...........................................        3,000
  Other expenses.........................................................       37,139
                                                                           -----------
    Total expenses before reductions.....................................    8,823,575
                                                                           -----------
      Expense reductions (Notes 1 & 5)...................................     (162,760)
                                                                           -----------
    Total net expenses...................................................    8,660,815
                                                                           -----------
Net investment income....................................................   19,406,553
                                                                           -----------
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments and foreign
  currencies: (Note 1)
  Net realized gain on investments..........................  $ 1,845,666
  Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions........     (900,512)
                                                              -----------
    Net realized gain during the year....................................      945,154
  Net change in unrealized appreciation on translation of
   assets and liabilities in foreign currencies.............       91,835
  Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments......   78,628,364
                                                              -----------
    Net unrealized appreciation during the year..........................   78,720,199
                                                                           -----------
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments and foreign currencies...   79,665,353
                                                                           -----------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations.....................  $99,071,906
                                                                           -----------
                                                                           -----------
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                      F11
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 YEAR ENDED          YEAR ENDED
                                                              DECEMBER 31, 1996   DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                                              -----------------   -----------------
<S>                                                           <C>                 <C>
Increase (Decrease) in net assets
Operations:
  Net investment income.....................................    $ 19,406,553        $ 26,375,900
  Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign
   currency transactions....................................         945,154         (78,379,558)
  Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on
   translation of assets and liabilities in foreign
   currencies...............................................          91,835              (3,021)
  Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments......      78,628,364          47,401,359
                                                              -----------------   -----------------
    Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from
     operations.............................................      99,071,906          (4,605,320)
                                                              -----------------   -----------------
Distributions to shareholders: (Note 1)
  From net investment income................................     (17,407,047)        (26,292,834)
Capital share transactions: (Note 4)
  Adjustment to estimate of initial offering expenses.......              --             373,757
                                                              -----------------   -----------------
    Total increase (decrease) in net assets.................      81,664,859         (30,524,397)
Net assets:
  Beginning of year.........................................     422,347,520         452,871,917
                                                              -----------------   -----------------
  End of year*..............................................    $504,012,379        $422,347,520
                                                              -----------------   -----------------
                                                              -----------------   -----------------
  --------------
  *Includes undistributed/accumulated net investment
   income/(loss) of.........................................    $    363,782        $     (7,034)
                                                              -----------------   -----------------
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                      F12
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contained below is per share operating performance data for a share outstanding,
total investment return, ratios and supplemental data. This information has been
derived from information provided in the financial statements and market price
data for the shares.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  JANUARY 11, 1994
                                                                   (COMMENCEMENT
                                                YEAR ENDED         OF OPERATIONS)
                                               DECEMBER 31,              TO
                                          ----------------------    DECEMBER 31,
                                             1996        1995           1994
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------------
<S>                                       <C>         <C>         <C>
Per Share Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period....  $   11.60   $   12.44      $   15.00
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------------
Income from investment operations:
  Net investment income.................       0.53        0.72           0.35
  Net realized and unrealized gain
   (loss) on investments................       2.19       (0.84)         (2.46)
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------------
    Net increase (decrease) from
     investment operations..............       2.72       (0.12)         (2.11)
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------------
Distributions to shareholders:
  From net investment income............      (0.48)      (0.72)         (0.35)
  From net realized gain on
   investments..........................         --          --          (0.10)
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------------
    Total distributions.................      (0.48)      (0.72)         (0.45)
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------------
Net asset value, end of period..........  $   13.84   $   11.60      $   12.44
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------------
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------------
Market value, end of period.............  $   11.63   $    9.75      $    9.75
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------------
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------------
 
Total investment return (based on market
 value).................................      24.18%       6.60%        (32.16)%+
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period (in 000's)....  $ 504,012   $ 422,348      $ 452,872
Ratio of net investment income to
 average net assets.....................       4.07%       6.33%          2.75 %++
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
  With expense reductions (Notes 1 &
   5)...................................       1.82%       1.77%          2.01 %++
  Without expense reductions............       1.85%       1.80%          2.01 %++
Portfolio turnover rate.................        138%         75%            56 %
Average commission rate per share paid
 on portfolio transactions..............  $  0.0022         N/A            N/A
</TABLE>
 
- ----------------
 
  +  Not annualized
 ++  Annualized
N/A  Not Applicable
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                      F13
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                               December 31, 1996
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
G.T. Global Developing Markets Fund, Inc. ("Fund") is organized as a Maryland
corporation and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended ("1940 Act") as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment
company. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies
consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of the financial
statements. The policies are in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles, and the financial statements may include certain estimates made by
management.
 
(A) PORTFOLIO VALUATION
Equity securities are valued at the last sale price on the exchange on which
such securities are traded or on the principal over-the-counter market on which
such securities are traded, as of the close of business on the day the
securities are being valued, or, lacking any sales, at the last available bid
price. In cases where securities are traded on more than one exchange, the
securities are valued on the exchange determined by Chancellor LGT Asset
Management, Inc. (the "Manager") to be the primary market.
 
Fixed income investments are valued at the mean of representative quoted bid and
asked prices for securities or, if such prices are not available, at prices for
securities of comparative maturity, quality and type; however, when the Manager
deems it appropriate, prices obtained for the day of valuation from a bond
pricing service will be used. Short-term investments with a maturity of 60 days
or less are valued at amortized cost, adjusted for foreign exchange translation
and market fluctuation, if any.
 
Investments for which market quotations are not readily available (including
restricted securities which are subject to limitations on their sale) are valued
at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of the
Fund's Board of Directors.
 
Portfolio securities which are primarily traded on foreign exchanges are
generally valued at the preceding closing values of such securities on their
respective exchanges, and those values are then translated into U.S. dollars at
the current exchange rates, except that when an occurrence subsequent to the
time a value was so established is likely to have materially changed such value,
then the fair value of those securities will be determined by consideration of
other factors by or under the direction of the Fund's Board of Directors.
 
(B) FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION
The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. The market
values of foreign securities, currency holdings, other assets and liabilities
are recorded in the books and records of the Fund after translation to U.S.
dollars based on the exchange rates on that day. The cost of each security is
determined using historical exchange rates. Income and withholding taxes are
translated at prevailing exchange rates when earned or incurred.
 
The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting
from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations
existing from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are
included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments.
 
Reported net realized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from sales and
maturities of short-term investments, forward foreign currency contracts, sales
of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and
settlement dates on securities transactions, and the differences between the
amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the
Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or
paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the
value of assets and liabilities other than investments in securities at year
end, resulting from changes in exchange rates.
 
(C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
With respect to repurchase agreements entered into by the Fund, it is the Fund's
policy to always receive, as collateral, United States government securities or
other high quality debt securities of which the value, including accrued
interest, is at least equal to the amount to be repaid to the Fund under each
agreement at its maturity.
 
(D) FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS
A forward foreign currency contract ("Forward Contract") is an agreement between
two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set price on a future date. The
market value of the Forward Contract fluctuates with changes in currency
exchange rates. The Forward Contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in
market value is recorded by the Fund as an unrealized gain or loss. When the
Forward Contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to
the difference between the value at the time it was opened and the value at the
time it was closed. The Fund could be exposed to risk if a counterparty is
unable to meet the terms of a contract or if the value of the currency changes
unfavorably. The Fund may enter into Forward Contracts in connection with
planned purchases or sales of securities or to hedge against adverse
fluctuations in exchange rates between currencies.
 
(E) OPTION ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES
When the Fund writes a call or put option, an amount equal to the premium
received is included in the Fund's "Statement of Assets and Liabilities" as an
asset and an equivalent liability. The amount of the liability is subsequently
marked-to-market to reflect the current market value of the option. The current
market value of an option listed on a traded exchange is valued at its last bid
price, or, in the case of an over-the-counter option, is valued at the average
of the last bid prices obtained from brokers, unless a quotation from only one
broker is available, in which case only that broker's price will be used. If an
option expires on its stipulated expiration date or if the Fund enters into a
closing purchase transaction, a gain or loss is
 
                                      F14
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
realized without regard to any unrealized gain or loss on the underlying
security, and the liability related to such option is extinguished. If a written
call option is exercised, a gain or loss is realized from the sale of the
underlying security and the proceeds of the sale are increased by the premium
originally received. If a written put option is exercised, the cost of the
underlying security purchased would be decreased by the premium originally
received. The Fund can write options only on a covered basis, which, for a call,
requires that the Fund hold the underlying security, and, for a put, requires
the Fund to set aside cash, U.S. government securities or other liquid
securities in an amount not less than the exercise price or otherwise provide
adequate cover at all times while the put option is outstanding. The Fund may
use options to manage its exposure to the stock and bond markets and to
fluctuations in currency values or interest rates.
 
The premium paid by the Fund for the purchase of a call or put option is
included in the Fund's "Statement of Assets and Liabilities" as an investment
and subsequently "marked-to-market" to reflect the current market value of the
option. If an option which the Fund has purchased expires on the stipulated
expiration date, the Fund realizes a loss in the amount of the cost of the
option. If the Fund enters into a closing sale transaction, the Fund realizes a
gain or loss, depending on whether proceeds from the closing sale transaction
are greater or less than the cost of the option. If the Fund exercises a call
option, the cost of the securities acquired by exercising the call is increased
by the premium paid to buy the call. If the Fund exercises a put option, it
realizes a gain or loss from the sale of the underlying security, and the
proceeds from such sale are decreased by the premium originally paid.
 
The risk associated with purchasing options is limited to the premium originally
paid. The risk in writing a call option is that the Fund may forego the
opportunity of profit if the market value of the underlying security or index
increases and the option is exercised. The risk in writing a put option is that
the Fund may incur a loss if the market value of the underlying security or
index decreases and the option is exercised. In addition, there is the risk the
Fund may not be able to enter into a closing transaction because of an illiquid
secondary market.
 
(F) FUTURES CONTRACTS
A futures contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a
security at a set price on a future date. Upon entering into such a contract the
Fund is required to pledge to the broker an amount of cash or securities equal
to the minimum "initial margin" requirements of the exchange on which the
contract is traded. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or
pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in value of
the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as "variation margin" and are
recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses. When the contract is closed,
the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the
value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was
closed. The potential risk to the Fund is that the change in value of the
underlying securities may not correlate to the change in value of the contracts.
The Fund may use futures contracts to manage its exposure to the stock and bond
markets and to fluctuations in currency values or interest rates.
 
(G) SECURITY TRANSACTIONS AND RELATED INVESTMENT INCOME
Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy
or sell is executed). The cost of securities sold is determined on a first-in,
first-out basis, unless otherwise specified. Dividends are recorded on the
ex-dividend date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Where a high
level of uncertainty exists as to collection of income on securities, income is
recorded net of all withholding tax with any rebate recorded when received. The
Fund may trade securities on other than normal settlement terms. This may
increase the market risk if the other party to the transaction fails to deliver
and causes the Fund to subsequently invest at less advantageous prices.
 
(H) PORTFOLIO SECURITIES LOANED
At December 31, 1996, stocks with an aggregate value of approximately
$19,925,944 were on loan to brokers. The loans were secured by cash collateral
of $21,260,009 received by the Fund. For international securities, cash
collateral is received by the Fund against loaned securities in an amount at
least equal to 105% of the market value of the loaned securities at the
inception of each loan. This collateral must be maintained at not less than 103%
of the market value of the loaned securities during the period of the loan. For
domestic securities, cash collateral is received by the Fund against loaned
securities in an amount at least equal to 102% of the market value of the loaned
securities at the inception of each loan. This collateral must be maintained at
not less than 100% of the market value of the loaned securities during the
period of each loan. For the year ended December 31, 1996, the Fund received
securities lending income of $96,761 which was used to reduce the Fund's
custodian fees.
 
(I) TAXES
It is the policy of the Fund to meet the requirements for qualification as a
"regulated investment company" under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended ("Code"). It is also the intention of the Fund to make distributions
sufficient to avoid imposition of any excise tax under Section 4982 of the Code.
Therefore, no provision has been made for Federal taxes on income, capital
gains, and unrealized appreciation of securities held, or excise tax on income
and capital gains. The Fund currently has a capital loss carryforward of
$96,686,329 of which $18,650,929 expires in 2002 and $78,035,400 expires in
2003.
 
(J) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
Distributions to shareholders are recorded by the Fund on the ex-date. Income
and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with Federal income
tax regulations which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles.
These differences are primarily due to differing treatments of income and gains
on various investment securities held by the Fund and timing differences.
 
                                      F15
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
(K) DEFERRED ORGANIZATIONAL EXPENSES
Expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with its organization, its
registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission and with various states
aggregated $353,775. These expenses are being amortized on a straightline basis
over a five-period period.
 
(L) FOREIGN SECURITIES
There are certain additional considerations and risks associated with investing
in foreign securities and currency transactions that are not inherent in
investments of domestic origin. The Fund's investments in emerging market
countries may involve greater risks than investments in more developed markets
and the prices of such investments may be volatile. These risks of investing in
foreign and emerging markets may include foreign currency exchange rate
fluctuations, perceived credit risk, adverse political and economic developments
and possible adverse foreign government intervention.
 
(M) INDEXED SECURITIES
The Fund may invest in indexed securities whose value is linked either directly
or indirectly to changes in foreign currencies, interest rates, equities,
indices, or other reference instruments. Indexed securities may be more volatile
than the reference instrument itself, but any loss is limited to the amount of
the original investment.
 
(N) RESTRICTED SECURITIES
The Fund is permitted to invest in privately placed restricted securities. These
securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration or to the
public if the securities are registered. Disposal of these securities may
involve time-consuming negotiations and expense, and prompt sale at an
acceptable price may be difficult.
 
(O) SECURITIES PURCHASED ON A WHEN-ISSUED OR FORWARD COMMITMENT BASIS
The Fund may trade securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis, with
payment and delivery scheduled for a future date. These transactions are subject
to market fluctuations and are subject to the risk that the value at delivery
may be more or less than the trade date purchase price. Although the Fund will
generally purchase these securities with the intention of acquiring such
securities, they may sell such securities before the settlement date. These
securities are identified on the accompanying Portfolio of Investments. The Fund
has purchased and sold when-issued securities during the year and has set aside
sufficient cash and liquid securities as collateral for these commitments.
 
(P) LINE OF CREDIT
The Fund, along with certain other funds advised by the Manager, has a line of
credit with the Bank of Boston. The arrangement with the bank allows all
specified funds to borrow an aggregate maximum amount of $100,000,000.
 
2. RELATED PARTIES
Chancellor LGT Asset Management, Inc. is the Fund's investment manager and
administrator. On October 31, 1996, Chancellor Capital Management, Inc. merged
with LGT Asset Management, Inc., and the surviving entity was renamed Chancellor
LGT Asset Management, Inc. The Fund pays the Manager investment management fees,
which are computed weekly and paid monthly, at the annualized rate of 1.40% of
the Fund's average weekly net assets. The Manager also acts as administrator of
the Fund. The Fund pays the Manager administration fees, which are computed and
paid monthly, at an annualized rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average weekly net
assets.
 
The Manager is the pricing and accounting agent for the fund. The monthly fee
for these services to the Manager is a percentage, not to exceed 0.03% annually,
of the Fund's average daily net assets. The annual fee rate is derived by
applying 0.03% to the first $5 billion of assets of all registered mutual funds
advised by the Manager and 0.02% to the assets in excess of $5 billion and
allocating the result according to the Fund's average daily net assets.
 
The Fund pays each of its Directors who is not an employee, officer or director
of the Manager or any of its affiliated companies $5,000 per period plus $300
for each meeting of the board attended by the Director.
 
3. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES
For the year ended December 31, 1996, purchases and sales of investment
securities by the Fund, other than U.S. government obligations and short-term
investments, aggregated $618,009,486 and $638,476,610, respectively. There were
no purchases or sales of U.S. government obligations by the Fund for the year.
 
4. CAPITAL SHARES
At December 31, 1996, the Fund is authorized to issue 100 million shares of
capital stock, $0.001 par value, all of which is classified as Common Stock.
 
5. EXPENSE REDUCTIONS
The Manager has directed certain portfolio trades to brokers who paid a portion
of the Fund's expenses. For the year ended December 31, 1996, the Fund's
expenses were reduced by $65,999 under these arrangements.
 
6. WRITTEN OPTIONS
The Fund's written options contract activity for the year ended December 31,
1996, was as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            UNDERLYING NOMINAL
                                               AMOUNT IN USD         PREMIUMS
                                          -----------------------  -------------
<S>                                       <C>                      <C>
Options outstanding at December 31,
 1995...................................     $               0     $           0
Options written during the year ended
 December 31, 1996......................            10,390,000           235,750
Options cancelled in closing purchase
 transactions (loss of $309,650
 realized)..............................            (7,390,000)         (172,750)
Options expired prior to exercise (gain
 of $63,000 realized)...................            (3,000,000)          (63,000)
Options exercised.......................                     0                 0
                                          -----------------------  -------------
Options outstanding at December 31,
 1996...................................     $               0     $           0
                                          -----------------------  -------------
                                          -----------------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F16
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
PROXY RESULTS (UNAUDITED)
During the year ended December 31, 1996, G.T. Global Developing Markets Fund,
Inc. stockholders voted on the following proposals. The proposals were approved
at the second annual meeting of the stockholders on July 16, 1996. The
description of the proposals and number of shares voted are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                  SHARES VOTED
                                                                                                 SHARES VOTED       WITHHELD
                                                                                                      FOR           AUTHORITY
                                                                                                ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                    <C>                     <C>              <C>              <C>
1. To elect the Fund's Board of Directors:             C. Derek Anderson......................      32,386,034        2,536,607
                                                       Frank S. Bayley........................      32,417,943        2,504,698
                                                       David A. Minella.......................      32,461,231        2,461,409
                                                       Arthur C. Patterson....................      32,378,462        2,541,779
                                                       Ruth H. Quigley........................      32,421,181        2,501,459
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                                SHARES VOTED     SHARES VOTED     SHARES VOTED
                                                                                     FOR            AGAINST          ABSTAIN
                                                                               ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                    <C>                     <C>              <C>              <C>
2. To elect Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. as the Fund's independent accountants:        33,391,569        1,238,086          292,986
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                                SHARES VOTED     SHARES VOTED     SHARES VOTED
                                                                                     FOR            AGAINST          ABSTAIN
                                                                               ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                    <C>                     <C>              <C>              <C>
3. To take all necessary legal and other action to convert the Fund from            8,997,665       10,004,687        1,178,792
 closed-end to open-end status:
</TABLE>
 
                                      F17
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of G.T. Global Developing Markets
Fund, Inc. ("Fund"):
 
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of G.T.
Global Developing Markets Fund, Inc., including the portfolio of investments, as
of June 30, 1997, the related statement of operations for the six months then
ended, the statements of changes in net assets for the six months then ended and
for the year ended December 31, 1996, and the financial highlights for each of
the periods indicated herein. These financial statements and the financial
highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on these financial statements and the financial
highlights based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and the financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of June
30, 1997, by correspondence with the custodians and brokers. An audit also
includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made
by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
 
In our opinion, the financial statements and the financial highlights referred
to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
G.T. Global Developing Markets Fund, Inc. as of June 30, 1997, the results of
its operations for the six months then ended, the changes in its net assets for
the six months then ended and for the year ended December 31, 1996, and the
financial highlights for the periods indicated herein, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                                        COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
 
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
AUGUST 15, 1997
 
                                       F1
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                            PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
 
                                 June 30, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           VALUE         % OF NET
EQUITY INVESTMENTS                                           COUNTRY       SHARES         (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
Finance (16.4%)
  Malayan Banking Bhd. ....................................   MAL             736,600   $  7,735,249         1.4
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  Banco LatinoAmericano de Exportaciones S.A. (Bladex)
   "E"{\/} ................................................   PAN             176,831      7,647,941         1.4
    OTHER FINANCIAL
  Rashid Hussain Bhd. .....................................   MAL           1,021,000      6,473,549         1.2
    SECURITIES BROKER
  Uniao Bancos Brasileiras "A" Preferred ..................   BRZL        142,972,483      5,244,759         0.9
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  Amalgamated Banks of South Africa-/- ....................   SAFR            672,136      4,823,730         0.9
    BANKS-REGIONAL
  Malaysian Resources Corp., Bhd. .........................   MAL           1,565,000      4,310,184         0.8
    REAL ESTATE
  China Resources Enterprise Ltd. .........................   HK              828,000      4,061,548         0.7
    REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST
  Turkiye Is Bankasi (Isbank) "C" .........................   TRKY          7,423,000      2,901,173         0.5
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  State Bank of India Ltd.: ...............................   IND                  --             --         0.5
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
    Common ................................................   --              216,000      2,055,776          --
    GDR{\/} ...............................................   --               27,640        732,460          --
  Kookmin Bank - GDR-/- {\/} ..............................   KOR             128,480      2,730,200         0.5
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  Administradora de Fondos de Pensiones Provida S.A. -
   ADR{\/} ................................................   CHLE            123,166      2,694,256         0.5
    INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
  Metroplex Bhd. ..........................................   MAL           2,512,000      2,608,060         0.5
    REAL ESTATE
  Thai Farmers Bank Ltd. - Foreign ........................   THAI            588,200      2,500,077         0.4
    BANKS-REGIONAL
  PSIL Bangkok Bank Co., Ltd. (Entitlement
   Certificates){\/} ......................................   THAI            500,000      2,461,000         0.4
    OTHER FINANCIAL
  Yapi ve Kredi Bankasi AS ................................   TRKY        102,500,000      2,348,383         0.4
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  PT Lippo Bank - Foreign .................................   INDO          2,057,500      2,115,899         0.4
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  Banco de A. Edwards - ADR{\/} ...........................   CHLE            100,934      2,106,997         0.4
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  Siam Commercial Bank PLC - Foreign ......................   THAI            493,800      2,022,519         0.4
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  Akbank T.A.S. ...........................................   TRKY         23,390,000      2,009,586         0.4
    BANKS-REGIONAL
  Malaysian Assurance Alliance Bhd. .......................   MAL             341,200      1,987,573         0.4
    INSURANCE - MULTI-LINE
  Bank Negara Indonesia - Foreign .........................   INDO          2,820,000      1,798,026         0.3
    BANKS-REGIONAL
  Global Menkul Degerler AS-/- ............................   TRKY         69,103,256      1,722,925         0.3
    SECURITIES BROKER
  Commercial International Bank: ..........................   EGPT                 --             --         0.3
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
    144A GDR{.} {\/} ......................................   --               58,000      1,209,300          --
    Common ................................................   --               23,940        500,996          --
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                       F2
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                                 June 30, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           VALUE         % OF NET
EQUITY INVESTMENTS                                           COUNTRY       SHARES         (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
Finance (Continued)
  Ayala Land, Inc. "B" ....................................   PHIL          1,723,800   $  1,586,419         0.3
    REAL ESTATE
  Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS ..............................   TRKY         41,290,000      1,558,113         0.3
    BANKS-REGIONAL
  Bank Hapoalim Ltd.-/- ...................................   ISRL            703,576      1,468,776         0.3
    BANKS-REGIONAL
  Korea Exchange Bank .....................................   KOR             219,900      1,451,936         0.3
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  Commercial Bank of Korea ................................   KOR             211,300      1,135,201         0.2
    BANKS-REGIONAL
  Aksigorta ...............................................   TRKY         15,080,000        955,202         0.2
    INSURANCE - MULTI-LINE
  Ergo Bank S.A. ..........................................   GREC             13,218        793,917         0.1
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  BPI-SGPS S.A. ...........................................   PORT             40,637        790,805         0.1
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  Banco Frances del Rio de la Plata S.A. - ADR{\/} ........   ARG              24,268        788,710         0.1
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  Alpha Credit Bank .......................................   GREC             11,465        780,026         0.1
    BANKS-REGIONAL
  Bank Leumi Le - Israel-/- ...............................   ISRL            406,668        618,340         0.1
    BANKS-REGIONAL
  Bank Slaski S.A. ........................................   POL               7,316        523,367         0.1
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  Banco de Colombia - 144A GDR{.} {\/} ....................   COL              77,200        453,550         0.1
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  PT Jaya Real Property - Foreign .........................   INDO            336,000        452,653         0.1
    REAL ESTATE
  Banco Ganadero S.A. - ADR{\/} ...........................   COL              16,800        436,800         0.1
    BANKS-REGIONAL
  Egyptian American Bank SAE-/- ...........................   EGPT              2,663        105,031          --
    BANKS-MONEY CENTER
  Phatra Thanakit Co., Ltd. - Foreign .....................   THAI             77,000         95,209          --
    INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                          90,796,221
                                                                                        ------------
Energy (12.1%)
  Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras) Preferred-/- .......   BRZL         23,852,040      6,625,173         1.2
    OIL
  LUKoil Holding - ADR{\/} ................................   RUS              78,379      6,113,562         1.1
    GAS PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION
  Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A.-Eletrobras "B" -
   ADR{\/} ................................................   BRZL            220,958      6,102,860         1.1
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
  Sasol Ltd. ..............................................   SAFR            429,556      5,635,229         1.0
    ENERGY SOURCES
  Surgutneftegaz - ADR{\/} ................................   RUS              90,368      4,789,504         0.9
    OIL
  Empresa Nacional de Electricidad S.A. - ADR{\/} .........   CHLE            202,653      4,572,358         0.8
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                       F3
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                                 June 30, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           VALUE         % OF NET
EQUITY INVESTMENTS                                           COUNTRY       SHARES         (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
Energy (Continued)
  Chilgener S.A. - ADR-/- {\/} ............................   CHLE            152,401   $  4,267,228         0.8
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
  Companhia Energetica de Minas Gerais (Cemig) -
   ADR{\/} ................................................   BRZL             82,874      4,216,629         0.8
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
  C.A. La Electricidad de Caracas .........................   VENZ          2,486,529      3,987,926         0.7
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
  Korea Electric Power Corp. - ADR{\/} ....................   KOR             190,870      3,566,883         0.6
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
  Light - Participacoes S.A.-/- ...........................   BRZL          7,485,850      2,983,214         0.5
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
  Light - Servicos de Electricidade S.A. ..................   BRZL          5,322,290      2,648,735         0.5
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
  Enersis S.A. ADR{\/} ....................................   CHLE             62,748      2,231,476         0.4
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
  Manila Electric Co. "B" .................................   PHIL            361,110      1,781,567         0.3
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
  PTT Exploration and Production Public Co., Ltd. -
   Foreign ................................................   THAI            112,200      1,630,108         0.3
    OIL
  Belle Corp.-/- ..........................................   PHIL          4,710,000      1,376,357         0.2
    OIL
  Bombay Suburban Electric Supply (BSES) Ltd.-/- ..........   IND             200,000      1,332,867         0.2
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
  Yukong Ltd. .............................................   KOR              53,680      1,302,619         0.2
    OIL
  YPF S.A. - ADR{\/} ......................................   ARG              37,760      1,161,120         0.2
    OIL
  Perez Companc S.A. "B"-/- ...............................   ARG             100,460        806,855         0.1
    OIL
  Guangdong Electric Power Development Co., Ltd. "B" ......   CHNA            833,160        682,936         0.1
    ENERGY SOURCES
  Electricity Generating Public Co., Ltd. - Foreign .......   THAI            136,200        334,185         0.1
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
  EDP-Electricidade de Portugal S.A. ......................   PORT              9,030        165,721          --
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                          68,315,112
                                                                                        ------------
Services (11.7%)
  Telecomunicacoes Brasileiras S.A. (Telebras): ...........   BRZL                 --             --         4.1
    TELEPHONE NETWORKS
    ADR{\/} ...............................................   --              115,091     17,465,059          --
    Common ................................................   --           40,244,258      5,458,116          --
  Telefonos de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. "L" - ADR{\/} .........   MEX             142,738      6,815,740         1.2
    TELEPHONE NETWORKS
  Pick'n Pay Stores Ltd. ..................................   SAFR          3,640,456      5,458,075         1.0
    RETAILERS-OTHER
  Compania de Telefonos de Chile S.A. - ADR{\/} ...........   CHLE            128,402      4,237,266         0.8
    TELEPHONE NETWORKS
  Cifra S.A. de C.V.: .....................................   MEX                  --             --         0.5
    RETAILERS-OTHER
    "B" ADR{\/} ...........................................   --            1,000,000      1,580,000          --
    "B" ...................................................   --              592,636      1,104,522          --
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                       F4
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                                 June 30, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           VALUE         % OF NET
EQUITY INVESTMENTS                                           COUNTRY       SHARES         (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
Services (Continued)
  Telecomunicacoes de Sao Paulo S.A. (TELESP) Preferred ...   BRZL          7,715,118   $  2,519,149         0.4
    TELEPHONE NETWORKS
  Konsortium Perkapalan Berhad ............................   MAL             370,000      2,184,664         0.4
    TRANSPORTATION - SHIPPING
  Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd. ..........................   IND             233,600      1,984,783         0.4
    TELECOM - OTHER
  Advanced Info. Service "L" ..............................   THAI            221,100      1,930,781         0.3
    WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS
  PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia - Foreign ...................   INDO          1,173,500      1,918,825         0.3
    TELECOM - OTHER
  Telecomasia (Local)-/- ..................................   THAI          1,361,600      1,644,127         0.3
    TELEPHONE NETWORKS
  Compania Anonima Nacional Telefonos de Venezuela (CANTV)
   - ADR{\/ } .............................................   VENZ             37,626      1,622,621         0.3
    TELEPHONE NETWORKS
  SM Prime Holdings, Inc. .................................   PHIL          4,441,000      1,314,603         0.2
    RETAILERS-APPAREL
  Telefonica de Argentina S.A. "B" - ADR{\/} ..............   ARG              32,028      1,108,970         0.2
    TELEPHONE NETWORKS
  PT Matahari Putra Prima - Foreign .......................   INDO            517,500      1,043,089         0.2
    RETAILERS-APPAREL
  Migros Turk T.A.S. ......................................   TRKY          1,305,000        923,349         0.2
    RETAILERS-FOOD
  Portugal Telecom S.A. - Registered ......................   PORT             20,551        829,046         0.1
    TELEPHONE NETWORKS
  Sonae Investimentos-Sociedade Gestora de Participacoes
   Sociais S.A. ...........................................   PORT             18,602        777,796         0.1
    RETAILERS-OTHER
  Hellenic Telecommunications Organization S.A. ...........   GREC             30,660        719,876         0.1
    TELEPHONE NETWORKS
  PT Steady Safe Transportation - Foreign .................   INDO            554,500        650,072         0.1
    TRANSPORTATION - ROAD & RAIL
  Danubius Hotel and Spa Rt.-/- ...........................   HGRY             21,940        648,360         0.1
    LEISURE & TOURISM
  Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. ..................   PHIL             15,610        506,510         0.1
    TELEPHONE - LONG DISTANCE
  Investec-Consultoria Internacional S.A.-/- ..............   PORT             14,612        498,053         0.1
    BROADCASTING & PUBLISHING
  Indian Hotels Co., Ltd. .................................   IND              25,850        471,446         0.1
    LEISURE & TOURISM
  Blue Square Chain Investments & Properties Ltd.-/- ......   ISRL             29,644        288,626         0.1
    RETAILERS-FOOD
  Estabelecimentos Jeronimo Martins & Filho, Sociedade
   Gestora de Participacoes Sociais S.A. ..................   PORT              3,854        269,233          --
    RETAILERS - OTHER
  PT Indosat - Foreign ....................................   INDO             58,000        173,571          --
    TELECOM - OTHER
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                          66,146,328
                                                                                        ------------
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                       F5
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                                 June 30, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           VALUE         % OF NET
EQUITY INVESTMENTS                                           COUNTRY       SHARES         (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
Materials/Basic Industry (11.0%)
  General Mining Union Corp. (Gencor) .....................   SAFR          1,662,487   $  7,660,893         1.4
    METALS - NON-FERROUS
  Kimberly-Clark de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. "A" ..............   MEX           1,389,779      5,600,419         1.0
    PAPER/PACKAGING
  SA Iron & Steel Industrial Corp., Ltd. (ISCOR) ..........   SAFR          7,933,404      5,247,539         0.9
    METALS - STEEL
  PT Gudang Garam - Foreign ...............................   INDO            949,500      3,983,916         0.7
    MISC. MATERIALS & COMMODITIES
  Sappi Ltd. ..............................................   SAFR            398,303      3,600,578         0.6
    FOREST PRODUCTS
  Suez Cement Co. - Reg S GDR-/- {c} {\/} .................   EGPT            158,195      3,195,539         0.6
    CEMENT
  Pohang Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. - ADR{\/} .................   KOR              88,870      2,843,840         0.5
    METALS - STEEL
  Apasco S.A. .............................................   MEX             369,933      2,655,356         0.5
    CEMENT
  Helwan Portland Cement Co.-/- ...........................   EGPT            124,280      2,630,822         0.5
    CEMENT
  Industrias Penoles S.A. "CP" ............................   MEX             548,803      2,619,271         0.5
    METALS - NON-FERROUS
  Cosco Pacific Ltd. ......................................   HK              994,000      2,303,183         0.4
    PAPER/PACKAGING
  Anglo American Corporation of South Africa Ltd. .........   SAFR             37,760      2,274,924         0.4
    GOLD
  Siam Cement Co., Ltd. - Foreign .........................   THAI            117,100      2,027,079         0.4
    CEMENT
  Ameriyah Cement Co.-/- ..................................   EGPT             67,800      1,652,344         0.3
    CEMENT
  Maanshan Iron and Steel Co. "H" .........................   CHNA          7,091,000      1,482,860         0.3
    METALS - STEEL
  Torah Portland Cement Co.-/- ............................   EGPT             50,650      1,282,090         0.2
    CEMENT
  Eregli Demir Ve Celik Fabrikalari T.A.S. ................   TRKY          6,806,621      1,135,201         0.2
    METALS - STEEL
  Titan Cement Co., S.A. ..................................   GREC             22,586      1,114,049         0.2
    BUILDING MATERIALS & COMPONENTS
  Paints & Chemical Industry-/- ...........................   EGPT             31,400      1,058,219         0.2
    CHEMICALS
  Pannonplast Rt. .........................................   HGRY             20,732      1,040,474         0.2
    MISC. MATERIALS & COMMODITIES
  Turk Sise ve Cam Fabrikalari AS-/- ......................   TRKY         16,264,000      1,030,199         0.2
    GLASS
  Helioplis Housing-/- ....................................   EGPT              8,000        946,814         0.2
    BUILDING MATERIALS & COMPONENTS
  Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd. .................................   MAL              97,000        791,837         0.1
    BUILDING MATERIALS & COMPONENTS
  North Cairo Flour Mills-/- ..............................   EGPT             15,170        790,313         0.1
    MISC. MATERIALS & COMMODITIES
  Israel Chemicals Ltd.-/- ................................   ISRL            654,789        772,596         0.1
    CHEMICALS
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                       F6
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                                 June 30, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           VALUE         % OF NET
EQUITY INVESTMENTS                                           COUNTRY       SHARES         (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
Materials/Basic Industry (Continued)
  Oryx Gold Holdings Ltd.-/- ..............................   SAFR            698,990   $    708,930         0.1
    GOLD
  Cimpor-Cimentos de Portugal, SGPS S.A. ..................   PORT             21,964        511,911         0.1
    CEMENT
  Agros Holding S.A.-/- ...................................   POL              16,123        429,456         0.1
    MISC. MATERIALS & COMMODITIES
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                          61,390,652
                                                                                        ------------
Multi-Industry/Miscellaneous (7.5%)
  Barlow Ltd. .............................................   SAFR            657,524      7,154,406         1.3
    CONGLOMERATE
  Sime Darby Bhd. .........................................   MAL           1,245,000      4,144,244         0.7
    MISCELLANEOUS
  Bimantara Citra - Foreign ...............................   INDO          2,369,500      4,142,483         0.7
    CONGLOMERATE
  Delta Corporation Ltd. (subdivision)-/- .................   ZBBW          2,472,400      3,797,016         0.7
    MULTI-INDUSTRY
  Renong Bhd. .............................................   MAL           2,519,000      3,294,115         0.6
    MULTI-INDUSTRY
  Shanghai Industrial Holdings Ltd. .......................   HK              520,000      3,235,400         0.6
    MULTI-INDUSTRY
  Haci Omer Sabanci Holding Reg S - ADR-/- {c} {\/} .......   TRKY            343,073      3,087,657         0.6
    MULTI-INDUSTRY
  Suramericana de Seguros S.A. ............................   COL             102,214      2,644,436         0.5
    CONGLOMERATE
  ITC Ltd.-/- .............................................   IND             136,000      2,140,811         0.4
    MULTI-INDUSTRY
  San Luis "CPO"-/- .......................................   MEX             248,277      1,841,521         0.3
    CONGLOMERATE
  Koc Holding AS ..........................................   TRKY          7,535,000      1,777,123         0.3
    CONGLOMERATE
  Koor Industries Ltd.: ...................................   ISRL                 --             --         0.2
    CONGLOMERATE
    Common ................................................   --                5,700        504,688          --
    ADR{\/} ...............................................   --               22,043        388,508          --
  Mosenergo: ..............................................   RUS                  --             --         0.2
    MISCELLANEOUS
    Reg S ADR{c} {\/} .....................................   --               10,964        455,006          --
    144A ADR{.} {\/} ......................................   --               10,000        415,000          --
  GT Taiwan Fund{\/}+X+ ...................................   TWN              49,751        762,687         0.1
    COUNTRY FUNDS
  Graboplast Rt. ..........................................   HGRY             13,452        632,021         0.1
    MISCELLANEOUS
  Banco Comercial Portugues "A", Convertible Preferred, 8%
   till 6/30/03{\/ } ......................................   PORT              6,615        453,128         0.1
    MISCELLANEOUS
  Discount Investment Corp. ...............................   ISRL              3,871        309,507         0.1
    MULTI-INDUSTRY
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                          41,179,757
                                                                                        ------------
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                       F7
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                                 June 30, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           VALUE         % OF NET
EQUITY INVESTMENTS                                           COUNTRY       SHARES         (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
Consumer Non-Durables (4.7%)
  South African Breweries Ltd. ............................   SAFR            197,892   $  6,075,727         1.1
    BEVERAGES - ALCOHOLIC
  Gruma S.A. "B"-/- .......................................   MEX           1,021,073      4,757,550         0.8
    FOOD
  Companhia Cervejaria Brahma Preferred ...................   BRZL          4,662,721      3,551,724         0.6
    BEVERAGES - ALCOHOLIC
  Fomento Economico Mexicano, S.A. de C.V. "B"-/- .........   MEX             387,105      2,305,763         0.4
    BEVERAGES - ALCOHOLIC
  San Miguel Corp. "B" ....................................   PHIL            851,600      2,246,156         0.4
    BEVERAGES - ALCOHOLIC
  Hindustan Lever Ltd.-/- .................................   IND              40,650      1,636,802         0.3
    PERSONAL CARE/COSMETICS
  Eastern Tobacco Co.-/- ..................................   EGPT             64,075      1,621,913         0.3
    TOBACCO
  Embotelladora Andina S.A.: ..............................   CHLE                 --             --         0.3
    BEVERAGES - NON-ALCOHOLIC
    "B" ADR{\/} ...........................................   --               41,497        866,250          --
    "A" ADR{\/} ...........................................   --               34,400        737,450          --
  Bavaria .................................................   COL             106,425        764,503         0.1
    BEVERAGES - ALCOHOLIC
  A-Ahram Beverages Co. S.A.E. - GDR-/- {\/} ..............   EGPT             36,514        746,711         0.1
    BEVERAGES - ALCOHOLIC
  Ng Fung Hong Ltd. .......................................   HK              462,000        691,795         0.1
    FOOD
  La Tondena Distillers, Inc. .............................   PHIL            137,900        332,321         0.1
    BEVERAGES - NON-ALCOHOLIC
  Zaklady Piwowarskie w Zywcu S.A. (Zywiec) ...............   POL               4,461        285,178         0.1
    BEVERAGES - ALCOHOLIC
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                          26,619,843
                                                                                        ------------
Consumer Durables (2.9%)
  Johnson Electric Holdings Ltd. ..........................   HK            1,375,500      4,101,571         0.7
    AUTO PARTS
  Samsung Electronics Co. - 144A GDR{.} -/- {\/} ..........   KOR              55,070      3,221,595         0.6
    CONSUMER ELECTRONICS
  Arcelik AS ..............................................   TRKY         16,609,500      2,238,477         0.4
    APPLIANCES & HOUSEHOLD
  PT Astra International - Foreign ........................   INDO            405,000      1,665,981         0.3
    AUTO PARTS
  Qingling Motors Co., Ltd.-/- ............................   CHNA          2,708,000      1,398,255         0.3
    AUTOMOBILES
  Bajaj Auto Ltd. .........................................   IND              52,800      1,360,246         0.2
    AUTOMOBILES
  Tata Engineering and Locomotive Co., Ltd.: ..............   IND                  --             --         0.2
    AUTOMOBILES
    GDR{\/} ...............................................   --               48,000        736,800          --
    Common ................................................   --               25,000        316,084          --
  BEC World Public Co., Ltd. ..............................   THAI             77,800        667,372         0.1
    CONSUMER ELECTRONICS
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                       F8
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                                 June 30, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           VALUE         % OF NET
EQUITY INVESTMENTS                                           COUNTRY       SHARES         (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
Consumer Durables (Continued)
  Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.-/- .............................   IND              43,300   $    524,445         0.1
    AUTOMOBILES
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                          16,230,826
                                                                                        ------------
Capital Goods (2.9%)
  United Engineers Ltd. ...................................   MAL             659,000      4,752,843         0.8
    CONSTRUCTION
  Hindalco Industries Ltd.: ...............................   IND                  --             --         0.8
    INDUSTRIAL COMPONENTS
    144A GDR{.} {\/} ......................................   --               73,400      2,594,690          --
    Common ................................................   --               63,600      1,739,883          --
  ECI Telecommunications Ltd.{\/} .........................   ISRL             73,000      2,171,750         0.4
    TELECOM EQUIPMENT
  Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings .....................   HK              471,000      1,364,944         0.2
    CONSTRUCTION
  New World Infrastructure Ltd.-/- ........................   HK              482,000      1,362,601         0.2
    INDUSTRIAL COMPONENTS
  IJM Corporation Bhd. ....................................   MAL             589,000      1,237,052         0.2
    CONSTRUCTION
  Irkutskenergo - ADR{\/} .................................   RUS              36,412        609,901         0.1
    ELECTRICAL PLANT/EQUIPMENT
  C & P Homes, Inc. .......................................   PHIL          1,382,000        519,233         0.1
    CONSTRUCTION
  Elektrim Spolka Akcyjna S.A. ............................   POL              58,947        513,207         0.1
    ELECTRICAL PLANT/EQUIPMENT
  Sungmi Telecom Electronics Co. ..........................   KOR               1,400        186,561          --
    ELECTRICAL PLANT/EQUIPMENT
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                          17,052,665
                                                                                        ------------
Technology (2.0%)
  Asustek Computer Inc. Reg. S - GDR-/- {c} {\/} ..........   TWN             956,400     10,831,230         1.9
    COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS
  Clal Electronics Industries Ltd. ........................   ISRL              2,754        356,681         0.1
    SEMICONDUCTORS
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                          11,187,911
                                                                                        ------------
Health Care (1.2%)
  Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. .....................   ISRL             28,162      1,826,178         0.3
    MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY & SUPPLIES
  Richter Gedeon Rt. - GDR{\/} ............................   HGRY             17,552      1,614,784         0.3
    PHARMACEUTICALS
  Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd. ...............................   IND              79,850      1,522,734         0.3
    MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY & SUPPLIES
  Egypt International Pharmaceuticals-/- ..................   EGPT             19,000      1,175,847         0.2
    PHARMACEUTICALS
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                       F9
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                                 June 30, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           VALUE         % OF NET
EQUITY INVESTMENTS                                           COUNTRY       SHARES         (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
Health Care (Continued)
  PT Kalbe Farma - Foreign ................................   INDO            479,000   $    640,374         0.1
    MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY & SUPPLIES
                                                                                        ------------
                                                                                           6,779,917
                                                                                        ------------       -----
 
TOTAL EQUITY INVESTMENTS (cost $381,434,874) ..............                              405,699,232        72.4
                                                                                        ------------       -----
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                          PRINCIPAL        VALUE         % OF NET
FIXED INCOME INVESTMENTS                                     CURRENCY      AMOUNT         (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
Government & Government Agency Obligations (14.6%)
  Argentina (4.2%)
    Republic of Argentina:
      BOCON Pro 1, 3.2424% due 4/1/07+ ....................   ARS           9,345,700      9,845,220         1.7
      Global Bond, 11% due 10/9/06 ........................   USD           7,657,000      8,529,898         1.5
      Global Bond, 11.375% due 1/30/17 ....................   USD           3,849,000      4,292,597         0.8
      Discount Bond, 6.875% due 3/31/23+ ..................   USD             600,000        519,375         0.1
      BOCON Pre 1, 3.2424% due 4/1/01+ ....................   ARS             298,800        356,091         0.1
  Brazil (1.7%)
    Federal Republic of Brazil:
      Debt Conversion Bond Series L, 6.9375% due
       4/15/12+ ...........................................   USD           6,377,000      5,265,011         0.9
      Debt Conversion Bond Registered, 6.9375% due
       4/15/12+ ...........................................   USD           5,623,000      4,642,489         0.8
  Bulgaria (3.2%)
    Republic of Bulgaria:
      Interest Arrears Bond, 6.5625% due 7/28/11 -
       Euro+ ..............................................   USD          13,583,000      9,822,207         1.7
      Discount Bond Series A, 6.6875% due 7/28/24 -
       Euro+ ..............................................   USD          11,442,000      8,438,475         1.5
  Ecuador (1.0%)
    Republic of Ecuador, Discount Bond, 6.4375% due 2/28/25
     - Euro+ ..............................................   USD           7,542,000      5,416,099         1.0
  Mexico (1.2%)
    United Mexican States:
      Global Bond, 11.5% due 5/15/26 ......................   USD           3,336,000      3,818,886         0.7
      Par Bond Series A, 6.25% due 12/31/19+/+ ............   USD           3,534,000      2,736,641         0.5
  Poland (1.4%)
    Republic of Poland:
      12% due 6/12/01 .....................................   PLZ          15,923,000      3,950,455         0.7
      Past Due Interest Bond, 4% due 10/27/14 - Euro++
       {j} ................................................   USD           4,300,000      3,695,313         0.7
  Russia (0.0%)
    City of St. Petersburg, 9.5% due 6/18/02 - 144A{.} ....   USD             250,000        250,313          --
  South Africa (0.7%)
    Republic of South Africa, 13% due 8/31/10 .............   ZAR          20,173,000      4,072,762         0.7
  Venezuela (1.2%)
    Republic of Venezuela:
      Debt Conversion Bond, 6.75% due 12/18/07+ ...........   USD           4,000,000      3,710,000         0.7
      Par Bond Series B, 6.75% due 3/31/20+/+ .............   USD           3,750,000      2,957,813         0.5
                                                                                        ------------
Total Government & Government Agency Obligations (cost
 $79,921,652) .............................................                               82,319,645
                                                                                        ------------
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                      F10
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                                 June 30, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          PRINCIPAL        VALUE         % OF NET
FIXED INCOME INVESTMENTS                                     CURRENCY      AMOUNT         (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
Sovereign Debt (4.1%)
  Russia (4.1%)
    Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs (Vnesheconombank)
     Loan Agreement ** -/- {j} ............................   USD          22,635,000   $ 20,757,963         3.7
    Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs (Vnesheconombank)
     Loan Agreement ** -/- ................................   DEM           4,186,000      2,338,053         0.4
                                                                                        ------------
Total Sovereign Debt (cost $12,011,123) ...................                               23,096,016
                                                                                        ------------
Corporate Bonds (2.8%)
  Argentina (0.5%)
    Supermercados Norte, 10.875% due 2/9/04 - 144A{.} .....   USD           1,193,000      1,222,706         0.2
    Central Termica Guemes S.A., 12% due 11/26/01 -
     144A{.} ..............................................   USD           1,020,000      1,068,144         0.2
    Acindar Industrial Argentina, 11.25% due 2/15/04 ......   USD             661,000        697,355         0.1
  Brazil (0.6%)
    RBS Participacoes S.A., 11% due 4/1/07 - 144A{.} ......   USD           1,107,000      1,162,350         0.2
    Tevecap S.A., 12.625% due 11/26/04 - 144A{.} ..........   USD             840,000        908,250         0.2
    TV Filme, Inc., 12.875% due 12/15/04 - 144A{.} ........   USD             844,000        887,255         0.2
  China (0.7%)
    Panda Global Energy Co., 12.5% due 4/15/04 -
     144A{.} ..............................................   USD           2,139,000      2,074,830         0.4
    Greater Beijing First, 9.5% due 6/15/07 - 144A{.} .....   USD             960,000        974,400         0.2
    Road King Infrastructure, 9.5% due 7/15/07 -
     144A{.} ..............................................   USD             700,000        704,375         0.1
  Indonesia (0.4%)
    PT Tjiwi Kimia, 13.25% due 8/1/01 .....................   USD           1,507,000      1,716,096         0.3
    Indah Kiat Financial Mauritius, 10% due 7/1/07 -
     144A{.} ..............................................   USD             530,000        529,338         0.1
  Mexico (0.3%)
    Copamex Industrias S.A., 11.375% due 4/30/04 -
     144A{.} ..............................................   USD             996,000      1,068,210         0.2
    Grupo Mexico de Desarrollo, 8.25% due 2/17/01 .........   USD             860,000        597,700         0.1
  Russia (0.3%)
    Lukinter Finance, 3.5% due 5/6/02 - 144A{.} ...........   USD           1,213,000      1,522,315         0.3
                                                                                        ------------
Total Corporate Bonds (cost $14,421,367) ..................                               15,133,324
                                                                                        ------------       -----
 
TOTAL FIXED INCOME INVESTMENTS (cost $106,354,142) ........                              120,548,985        21.5
                                                                                        ------------       -----
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                         UNDERLYING
                                                                           NOMINAL         VALUE         % OF NET
OPTIONS                                                      CURRENCY      AMOUNT         (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
  Republic of Bulgaria Floating Interest Rate Bond 'A'
   7/28/12, Call Option, strike 45.9375 expires 7/17/97 ...   USD          10,115,000      1,118,972         0.2
    GOVERNMENT & GOVERNMENT AGENCY OBLIGATIONS
  Republic of Brazil Debt Conversion Bond 4/15/12, Call
   Option, strike 80.222, expires 9/16/97 .................   USD          17,370,000        464,422         0.1
    GOVERNMENT & GOVERNMENT AGENCY OBLIGATIONS
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                      F11
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                                 June 30, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         UNDERLYING
                                                                           NOMINAL         VALUE         % OF NET
OPTIONS                                                      CURRENCY      AMOUNT         (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
  Republic of Venezuela Debt Conversion Bond 12/18/07, Call
   Option, strike 91, expires 8/26/97 .....................   USD           9,250,000   $    187,683          --
    GOVERNMENT & GOVERNMENT AGENCY OBLIGATIONS
                                                                                        ------------       -----
 
TOTAL OPTIONS (cost $772,565) .............................                                1,771,077         0.3
                                                                                        ------------       -----
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                           NO. OF          VALUE         % OF NET
RIGHTS                                                       COUNTRY       RIGHTS         (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
  Chilgener S.A. Rights, expire 7/7/97{\/} ................   CHLE             31,143        104,329          --
    ELECTRICAL & GAS UTILITIES
  Hellenic Telecommunication Organization S.A. Rights,
   expire 7/18/97 .........................................   GREC             30,660          3,767          --
    TELEPHONE NETWORKS
  Rashid Hussain Bhd. Rights for Warrants, expire
   8/5/97 .................................................   MAL             145,857             --          --
    OTHER FINANCIAL
                                                                                        ------------       -----
 
TOTAL RIGHTS (cost $0) ....................................                                  108,096       --0.0
                                                                                        ------------       -----
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                          PRINCIPAL        VALUE         % OF NET
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS                                       CURRENCY      AMOUNT         (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
Structured Notes (1.4%)
  Russia (1.4%)
    Russian Federation GKO (Treasury Bills) Linked Notes
     withcancellable currency forwards attached:
      Due 4/15/98  ........................................   USD           5,446,000      8,191,637         1.4
      (Notes issued by Credit Suisse First Boston (Cayman)
      Ltd. These notes are linked to the local price in
      Russian rubles of 54,460 Titles of Russian treasury
      bills maturing 4/8/98.) (cost $7,178,464)
Government & Government Agency Obligations (0.3%)
  Indonesia (0.3%)
    Dharmala Intiutama International Promissory Note,
     effective yield 15.19% due 10/27/97 (cost
     $1,610,308) ..........................................   IDR       4,000,000,000      1,567,393         0.3
                                                                                        ------------       -----
 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (cost $8,788,772) ............                                9,759,030         1.7
                                                                                        ------------       -----
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                      F12
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                                 June 30, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           VALUE         % OF NET
REPURCHASE AGREEMENT                                                                      (NOTE 1)        ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------                             ------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
  Dated June 30, 1997, with State Street Bank & Trust Co.,
   due July 1, 1997, for an effective yield of 5.75%,
   collateralized by $9,360,000 U.S. Treasury Bills, 6.125%
   due 3/31/98 (market value of collateral is $9,525,366,
   including accrued interest). (cost $9,334,491) .........                             $  9,334,491         1.7
                                                                                        ------------       -----
 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (cost $506,684,844)  * ..................                              547,220,911        97.6
Other Assets and Liabilities ..............................                               13,377,933         2.4
                                                                                        ------------       -----
 
NET ASSETS ................................................                             $560,598,844       100.0
                                                                                        ------------       -----
                                                                                        ------------       -----
</TABLE>
 
- --------------
 
       {\/}  U.S. currency denominated.
        -/-  Non-income producing security.
        {.}  Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities
             Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt
             from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers.
        {c}  Security issued under Regulation S. Rule 144A and additional
             restrictions may apply in the resale of such securities.
         **  Underlying loan agreement currently in default.
          +  The coupon rate shown on floating rate note represents the rate at
             period end.
        +/+  Issued with detachable warrants or value recovery rights. The
             current market value of each warrant or right is zero.
        {j}  All or part of the Fund's holdings in this security is segregated
             as collateral for when-issued securities. See Note 1 to the
             Financial Statements.
         ++  The coupon rate shown on step-up coupon bond represents the rate at
             period end.
        +X+  The G.T. Global Developing Markets Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") has
             invested in the GT Global Taiwan Fund, a fund managed by LGT Asset
             Management Ltd. who is an affiliate of the Fund's manager,
             Chancellor LGT Asset Management, Inc.
          *  For Federal income tax purposes, cost is $507,655,947 and
             appreciation (depreciation) is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
                 <S>                              <C>
                 Unrealized appreciation:         $  51,174,996
                 Unrealized depreciation:           (11,610,032)
                                                  -------------
                 Net unrealized appreciation:     $  39,564,964
                                                  -------------
                                                  -------------
</TABLE>
 
    Abbreviations:
    ADR--American Depository Receipt
    GDR--Global Depository Receipt
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                      F13
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                       PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  (cont'd)
 
                                 June 30, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund's Portfolio of Investments at June 30, 1997, was concentrated in the
following countries:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               PERCENTAGE OF NET ASSETS {D}
                                        -------------------------------------------
                                                 FIXED INCOME,
                                                   RIGHTS &      SHORT-TERM
COUNTRY (COUNTRY CODE/CURRENCY CODE)    EQUITY     WARRANTS       & OTHER     TOTAL
- --------------------------------------  ------   -------------   ----------   -----
<S>                                     <C>      <C>             <C>          <C>
Argentina (ARG/ARS) ..................    0.6         4.7                       5.3
Brazil (BRZL/BRL) ....................   10.1         2.3            0.1       12.5
Bulgaria (BUL/LEV) ...................                3.2            0.2        3.4
Chile (CHLE/CLP) .....................    4.0                                   4.0
China (CHNA/RMB) .....................    0.7         0.7                       1.4
Colombia (COL/COP) ...................    0.8                                   0.8
Ecuador (ECDR/ECS) ...................                1.0                       1.0
Egypt (EGPT/EGP) .....................    3.0                                   3.0
Greece (GREC/GRD) ....................    0.5                                   0.5
Hong Kong (HK/HKD) ...................    2.9                                   2.9
Hungary (HGRY/HUF) ...................    0.7                                   0.7
India (IND/INR) ......................    3.5                                   3.5
Indonesia (INDO/IDR) .................    3.2         0.4            0.3        3.9
Israel (ISRL/ILS) ....................    1.7                                   1.7
Korea (KOR/KRW) ......................    2.9                                   2.9
Malaysia (MAL/MYR) ...................    7.1                                   7.1
Mexico (MEX/MXN) .....................    5.2         1.5                       6.7
Panama (PAN/PND) .....................    1.4                                   1.4
Philippines (PHIL/PHP) ...............    1.7                                   1.7
Poland (POL/PLZ) .....................    0.4         1.4                       1.8
Portugal (PORT/PTE) ..................    0.6                                   0.6
Russia (RUS/SUR) .....................    2.3         4.4            1.4        8.1
South Africa (SAFR/ZAR) ..............    8.7         0.7                       9.4
Taiwan (TWN/TWD) .....................    2.0                                   2.0
Thailand (THAI/THB) ..................    2.7                                   2.7
Turkey (TRKY/TRL) ....................    4.0                                   4.0
United States & Other (US/USD) .......                               4.1        4.1
Venezuela (VENZ/VEB) .................    1.0         1.2                       2.2
Zimbabwe (ZBBW/ZWD) ..................    0.7                                   0.7
                                        ------      -----          -----      -----
Total  ...............................   72.4        21.5            6.1      100.0
                                        ------      -----          -----      -----
                                        ------      -----          -----      -----
</TABLE>
 
- --------------
 
{d}  Percentages indicated are based on net assets of $560,598,844.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                 FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS OUTSTANDING
                                 JUNE 30, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           MARKET VALUE     CONTRACT    DELIVERY    UNREALIZED
CONTRACTS TO SELL:                        (U.S. DOLLARS)      PRICE       DATE     APPRECIATION
- ----------------------------------------  --------------   -----------  --------  --------------
<S>                                       <C>              <C>          <C>       <C>
Deutsche Marks..........................     1,667,986         1.67438  08/13/97   $    64,004
                                                                                  --------------
THE VALUE OF CONTRACTS TO SELL AS A
 PERCENTAGE OF NET ASSETS IS 0.30%.
  Total Open Forward Foreign Currency
   Contracts (Receivable amount
   $1,731,990)..........................                                           $    64,004
                                                                                  --------------
                                                                                  --------------
</TABLE>
 
- ----------------
See Note 1 to the financial statements.
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                      F14
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                              STATEMENT OF ASSETS
                                 AND LIABILITIES
                                 June 30, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                     <C>          <C>
Assets:
  Investments in securities, at value (cost $506,684,844) (Note 1).................  $547,220,911
  U.S. currency.......................................................  $       598
  Foreign currencies (cost $14,877,210)...............................   15,209,832    15,210,430
                                                                        -----------
  Receivable for securities sold...................................................    19,797,548
  Interest receivable..............................................................     2,470,017
  Dividends and dividend withholding tax reclaims receivable.......................     1,012,312
  Unamortized organizational costs (Note 1)........................................       109,155
  Receivable for open forward foreign currency contracts (Note 1)..................        64,004
  Cash held as collateral for securities loaned (Note 1)...........................    38,768,656
                                                                                     ------------
    Total assets...................................................................   624,653,033
                                                                                     ------------
Liabilities:
  Payable for securities purchased.................................................    24,293,241
  Payable for investment management and administration fees (Note 2)...............       730,616
  Payable for printing and postage expenses........................................        68,122
  Payable for professional fees....................................................        47,957
  Payable for Directors' fees and expenses (Note 2)................................        12,750
  Payable for transfer agent fees..................................................        10,250
  Payable for custodian fees.......................................................        10,195
  Payable for fund accounting fees (Note 2)........................................         9,246
  Payable for registration and filing fees.........................................         2,127
  Other accrued expenses...........................................................       101,029
  Collateral for securities loaned (Note 1)........................................    38,768,656
                                                                                     ------------
    Total liabilities..............................................................    64,054,189
                                                                                     ------------
Net assets.........................................................................  $560,598,844
                                                                                     ------------
                                                                                     ------------
Net asset value per share ($560,598,844 DIVIDED BY 36,416,667 shares
 outstanding)......................................................................  $      15.39
                                                                                     ------------
                                                                                     ------------
Net assets consist of:
  Paid in capital (Note 4).........................................................  $545,109,494
  Undistributed net investment income..............................................     7,627,240
  Accumulated net realized loss on investments and foreign currency transactions...   (32,738,231)
  Net unrealized appreciation on translation of assets and liabilities in foreign
   currencies......................................................................        64,274
  Net unrealized appreciation of investments.......................................    40,536,067
                                                                                     ------------
Total -- representing net assets applicable to capital shares outstanding..........  $560,598,844
                                                                                     ------------
                                                                                     ------------
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                      F15
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                            STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
                         Six months ended June 30, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                               <C>          <C>
Investment income: (Note 1)
  Interest income............................................................................  $ 8,297,254
  Dividend income (net of foreign withholding tax of $184,613)...............................    3,761,245
                                                                                               -----------
    Total investment income..................................................................   12,058,499
                                                                                               -----------
Expenses:
  Investment management fees (Note 2)........................................................    3,689,362
  Administration fees (Note 2)...............................................................      659,522
  Custodian fees.............................................................................      134,669
  Professional fees..........................................................................       68,418
  Fund accounting fees (Note 2)..............................................................       65,953
  Amortization of organization costs (Note 1)................................................       35,087
  Printing and postage expenses..............................................................       31,856
  Transfer agent fees........................................................................       19,910
  Directors' fees and expenses (Note 2)......................................................       15,204
  Other expenses.............................................................................      167,974
                                                                                               -----------
    Total expenses before reductions.........................................................    4,887,955
      Expense reductions (Notes 1 & 5).......................................................      (92,914)
                                                                                               -----------
    Total net expenses.......................................................................    4,795,041
                                                                                               -----------
Net investment income........................................................................    7,263,458
                                                                                               -----------
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currencies:
  (Note 1)
  Net realized gain on investments..............................................  $69,561,832
  Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions............................     (230,810)
                                                                                  -----------
    Net realized gain during the period......................................................   69,331,022
  Net change in unrealized appreciation on translation of assets and liabilities
   in foreign currencies........................................................      (25,984)
  Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments..........................  (19,982,031)
                                                                                  -----------
    Net unrealized depreciation during the period............................................  (20,008,015)
                                                                                               -----------
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments and foreign currencies.......................   49,323,007
                                                                                               -----------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations.........................................  $56,586,465
                                                                                               -----------
                                                                                               -----------
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                      F16
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                      STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         SIX MONTHS
                                                                           ENDED       YEAR ENDED
                                                                          JUNE 30,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                            1997          1996
                                                                        ------------  ------------
<S>                                                                     <C>           <C>
Increase in net assets
Operations:
  Net investment income...............................................  $ 7,263,458   $19,406,553
  Net realized gain on investments and foreign currency
   transactions.......................................................   69,331,022       945,154
  Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on translation
   of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies....................      (25,984 )      91,835
  Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of
   investments........................................................  (19,982,031 )  78,628,364
                                                                        ------------  ------------
    Net increase in net assets resulting from operations..............   56,586,465    99,071,906
Distributions to shareholders: (Note 1)
  From net investment income..........................................           --   (17,407,047 )
                                                                        ------------  ------------
      Total increase in net assets....................................   56,586,465    81,664,859
Net assets:
  Beginning of period.................................................  504,012,379   422,347,520
                                                                        ------------  ------------
  End of period *.....................................................  $560,598,844  $504,012,379
                                                                        ------------  ------------
                                                                        ------------  ------------
 * Includes undistributed net investment income of....................  $ 7,627,240   $   363,782
                                                                        ------------  ------------
                                                                        ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                      F17
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contained below is per share operating performance data for a share outstanding,
total investment return, ratios and supplemental data. This information has been
derived from information provided in the financial statements and market price
data for the shares.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                JANUARY 11, 1994
                                                                                 (COMMENCEMENT
                                           SIX MONTHS         YEAR ENDED         OF OPERATIONS)
                                             ENDED           DECEMBER 31,              TO
                                            JUNE 30,    ----------------------    DECEMBER 31,
                                              1997         1996        1995           1994
                                          ------------  ----------  ----------  ----------------
<S>                                       <C>           <C>         <C>         <C>
Per Share Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period....   $   13.84    $   11.60   $   12.44      $   15.00
                                          ------------  ----------  ----------  ----------------
Income from investment operations:
  Net investment income.................        0.20         0.53        0.72           0.35
  Net realized and unrealized gain
   (loss) on investments................        1.35         2.19       (0.84)         (2.46)
                                          ------------  ----------  ----------  ----------------
    Net increase (decrease) from
     investment operations..............        1.55         2.72       (0.12)         (2.11)
                                          ------------  ----------  ----------  ----------------
Distributions to shareholders:
  From net investment income............          --        (0.48)      (0.72)         (0.35)
  From net realized gain on
   investments..........................          --           --          --          (0.10)
                                          ------------  ----------  ----------  ----------------
    Total distributions.................          --        (0.48)      (0.72)         (0.45)
                                          ------------  ----------  ----------  ----------------
Net asset value, end of period..........   $   15.39    $   13.84   $   11.60      $   12.44
                                          ------------  ----------  ----------  ----------------
                                          ------------  ----------  ----------  ----------------
Market value, end of period.............   $   14.06    $   11.63   $    9.75      $    9.75
                                          ------------  ----------  ----------  ----------------
                                          ------------  ----------  ----------  ----------------
 
Total investment return (based on market
 value).................................       20.90 %+     24.18%       6.60%        (32.16)%+
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period (in 000's)....   $ 560,599    $ 504,012   $ 422,348      $ 452,872
Ratio of net investment income to
 average net assets.....................        2.75 %++      4.07%      6.33%          2.75 %++
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
  With expense reductions (Notes 1 &
   5)...................................        1.82 %++      1.82%      1.77%          2.01 %++
  Without expense reductions............        1.85 %++      1.85%      1.80%          2.01 %++
Portfolio turnover rate.................         217 %++       138%        75%            56 %
Average commission rate per share paid
 on portfolio transactions..............   $  0.0019    $  0.0022         N/A            N/A
</TABLE>
 
- ----------------
 
  +  Not annualized
 ++  Annualized
N/A  Not Applicable
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
                                      F18
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                                 June 30, 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
G.T. Global Developing Markets Fund, Inc. ("Fund") is organized as a Maryland
corporation and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended ("1940 Act") as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment
company.
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual
results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of
significant accounting policies in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of the financial
statements.
 
(A) PORTFOLIO VALUATION
Equity securities are valued at the last sale price on the exchange on which
such securities are traded or on the principal over-the-counter market on which
such securities are traded, as of the close of business on the day the
securities are being valued, or, lacking any sales, at the last available bid
price. In cases where securities are traded on more than one exchange, the
securities are valued on the exchange determined by Chancellor LGT Asset
Management, Inc. (the "Manager") to be the primary market.
 
Fixed income investments are valued at the mean of representative quoted bid and
asked prices for securities or, if such prices are not available, at prices for
securities of comparative maturity, quality and type; however, when the Manager
deems it appropriate, prices obtained for the day of valuation from a bond
pricing service will be used. Short-term investments with a maturity of 60 days
or less are valued at amortized cost, adjusted for foreign exchange translation
and market fluctuation, if any.
 
Investments for which market quotations are not readily available (including
restricted securities which are subject to limitations on their sale) are valued
at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of the
Fund's Board of Directors.
 
Portfolio securities which are primarily traded on foreign exchanges are
generally valued at the preceding closing values of such securities on their
respective exchanges, and those values are then translated into U.S. dollars at
the current exchange rates, except that when an occurrence subsequent to the
time a value was so established is likely to have materially changed such value,
then the fair value of those securities will be determined by consideration of
other factors by or under the direction of the Fund's Board of Directors.
 
(B) FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION
The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. The market
values of foreign securities, currency holdings, other assets and liabilities
are recorded in the books and records of the Fund after translation to U.S.
dollars based on the exchange rates on that day. The cost of each security is
determined using historical exchange rates. Income and withholding taxes are
translated at prevailing exchange rates when earned or incurred.
 
The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting
from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations
existing from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are
included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments.
 
Reported net realized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from sales and
maturities of short-term investments, forward foreign currency contracts, sales
of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and
settlement dates on securities transactions, and the differences between the
amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the
Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or
paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the
value of assets and liabilities other than investments in securities at year
end, resulting from changes in exchange rates.
 
(C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
With respect to repurchase agreements entered into by the Fund, it is the Fund's
policy to always receive, as collateral, United States government securities or
other high quality debt securities of which the value, including accrued
interest, is at least equal to the amount to be repaid to the Fund under each
agreement at its maturity.
 
(D) FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS
A forward foreign currency contract ("Forward Contract") is an agreement between
two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set price on a future date. The
market value of the Forward Contract fluctuates with changes in currency
exchange rates. The Forward Contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in
market value is recorded by the Fund as an unrealized gain or loss. When the
Forward Contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to
the difference between the value at the time it was opened and the value at the
time it was closed. The Fund could be exposed to risk if a counterparty is
unable to meet the terms of a contract or if the value of the currency changes
unfavorably. The Fund may enter into Forward Contracts in connection with
planned purchases or sales of securities or to hedge against adverse
fluctuations in exchange rates between currencies.
 
(E) OPTION ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES
When the Fund writes a call or put option, an amount equal to the premium
received is included in the Fund's "Statement of Assets and Liabilities" as an
asset and an equivalent liability. The amount of the liability is subsequently
marked-to-market to reflect the current market value of the option. The current
market value of an option listed on a traded exchange is valued at its last bid
price, or, in the
 
                                      F19
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
case of an over-the-counter option, is valued at the average of the last bid
prices obtained from brokers, unless a quotation from only one broker is
available, in which case only that broker's price will be used. If an option
expires on its stipulated expiration date or if the Fund enters into a closing
purchase transaction, a gain or loss is realized without regard to any
unrealized gain or loss on the underlying security, and the liability related to
such option is extinguished. If a written call option is exercised, a gain or
loss is realized from the sale of the underlying security and the proceeds of
the sale are increased by the premium originally received. If a written put
option is exercised, the cost of the underlying security purchased would be
decreased by the premium originally received. The Fund can write options only on
a covered basis, which, for a call, requires that the Fund hold the underlying
security, and, for a put, requires the Fund to set aside cash, U.S. government
securities or other liquid securities in an amount not less than the exercise
price or otherwise provide adequate cover at all times while the put option is
outstanding. The Fund may use options to manage its exposure to the stock and
bond markets and to fluctuations in currency values or interest rates.
 
The premium paid by the Fund for the purchase of a call or put option is
included in the Fund's "Statement of Assets and Liabilities" as an investment
and subsequently "marked-to-market" to reflect the current market value of the
option. If an option which the Fund has purchased expires on the stipulated
expiration date, the Fund realizes a loss in the amount of the cost of the
option. If the Fund enters into a closing sale transaction, the Fund realizes a
gain or loss, depending on whether proceeds from the closing sale transaction
are greater or less than the cost of the option. If the Fund exercises a call
option, the cost of the securities acquired by exercising the call is increased
by the premium paid to buy the call. If the Fund exercises a put option, it
realizes a gain or loss from the sale of the underlying security, and the
proceeds from such sale are decreased by the premium originally paid.
 
The risk associated with purchasing options is limited to the premium originally
paid. The risk in writing a call option is that the Fund may forego the
opportunity of profit if the market value of the underlying security or index
increases and the option is exercised. The risk in writing a put option is that
the Fund may incur a loss if the market value of the underlying security or
index decreases and the option is exercised. In addition, there is the risk the
Fund may not be able to enter into a closing transaction because of an illiquid
secondary market.
 
(F) FUTURES CONTRACTS
A futures contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a
security at a set price on a future date. Upon entering into such a contract the
Fund is required to pledge to the broker an amount of cash or securities equal
to the minimum "initial margin" requirements of the exchange on which the
contract is traded. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or
pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in value of
the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as "variation margin" and are
recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses. When the contract is closed,
the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the
value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was
closed. The potential risk to the Fund is that the change in value of the
underlying securities may not correlate to the change in value of the contracts.
The Fund may use futures contracts to manage its exposure to the stock and bond
markets and to fluctuations in currency values or interest rates.
 
(G) SECURITY TRANSACTIONS AND RELATED INVESTMENT INCOME
Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy
or sell is executed). The cost of securities sold is determined on a first-in,
first-out basis, unless otherwise specified. Dividends are recorded on the
ex-dividend date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Where a high
level of uncertainty exists as to collection of income on securities, income is
recorded net of all withholding tax with any rebate recorded when received. The
Fund may trade securities on other than normal settlement terms. This may
increase the market risk if the other party to the transaction fails to deliver
and causes the Fund to subsequently invest at less advantageous prices.
 
(H) PORTFOLIO SECURITIES LOANED
At June 30, 1997, stocks with an aggregate value of approximately $36,477,608
were on loan to brokers. The loans were secured by cash collateral of
$38,768,656 received by the Fund. For international securities, cash collateral
is received by the Fund against loaned securities in an amount at least equal to
105% of the market value of the loaned securities at the inception of each loan.
This collateral must be maintained at not less than 103% of the market value of
the loaned securities during the period of the loan. For domestic securities,
cash collateral is received by the Fund against loaned securities in an amount
at least equal to 102% of the market value of the loaned securities at the
inception of each loan. This collateral must be maintained at not less than 100%
of the market value of the loaned securities during the period of each loan. For
the period ended June 30, 1997, the Fund received securities lending income of
$86,176 which was used to reduce the Fund's custodian fees and administrative
expenses.
 
(I) TAXES
It is the policy of the Fund to meet the requirements for qualification as a
"regulated investment company" under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended ("Code"). It is also the intention of the Fund to make distributions
sufficient to avoid imposition of any excise tax under Section 4982 of the Code.
Therefore, no provision has been made for Federal taxes on income, capital
gains, and unrealized appreciation of securities held, or excise tax on income
and capital gains. The Fund currently has a capital loss carryforward of
$96,686,329 of which $18,650,929 expires in 2002 and $78,035,400 expires in
2003.
 
(J) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
Distributions to shareholders are recorded by the Fund on the ex-date. Income
and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with Federal income
tax regulations which may differ
 
                                      F20
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
from generally accepted accounting principles. These differences are primarily
due to differing treatments of income and gains on various investment securities
held by the Fund and timing differences.
 
(K) DEFERRED ORGANIZATIONAL EXPENSES
Expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with its organization, its
registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission and with various states
aggregated $353,775. These expenses are being amortized on a straightline basis
over a five-period period.
 
(L) FOREIGN SECURITIES
There are certain additional considerations and risks associated with investing
in foreign securities and currency transactions that are not inherent in
investments of domestic origin. The Fund's investments in emerging market
countries may involve greater risks than investments in more developed markets
and the prices of such investments may be volatile. These risks of investing in
foreign and emerging markets may include foreign currency exchange rate
fluctuations, perceived credit risk, adverse political and economic developments
and possible adverse foreign government intervention.
 
(M) INDEXED SECURITIES
The Fund may invest in indexed securities whose value is linked either directly
or indirectly to changes in foreign currencies, interest rates, equities,
indices, or other reference instruments. Indexed securities may be more volatile
than the reference instrument itself, but any loss is limited to the amount of
the original investment.
 
(N) RESTRICTED SECURITIES
The Fund is permitted to invest in privately placed restricted securities. These
securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration or to the
public if the securities are registered. Disposal of these securities may
involve time-consuming negotiations and expense, and prompt sale at an
acceptable price may be difficult.
 
(O) SECURITIES PURCHASED ON A WHEN-ISSUED OR FORWARD COMMITMENT BASIS
The Fund may trade securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis, with
payment and delivery scheduled for a future date. These transactions are subject
to market fluctuations and are subject to the risk that the value at delivery
may be more or less than the trade date purchase price. Although the Fund will
generally purchase these securities with the intention of acquiring such
securities, they may sell such securities before the settlement date. These
securities are identified on the accompanying Portfolio of Investments. The Fund
has purchased and sold when-issued securities during the period and has set
aside liquid securities as collateral for these commitments.
 
(P) LINE OF CREDIT
The Fund, along with certain other Funds advised by the Manager, has a line of
credit with BankBoston and State Street Bank. The arrangements with the banks
allow the Fund to borrow an aggregate maximum amount of $200,000,000. The Fund
is limited to borrowing up to 33 1/3% of the value of the Fund's total assets.
For the period ended June 30, 1997, the Fund had no outstanding loan balance.
 
2. RELATED PARTIES
Chancellor LGT Asset Management, Inc. is the Fund's investment manager and
administrator. The Fund pays the Manager investment management fees, which are
computed weekly and paid monthly, at the annualized rate of 1.40% of the Fund's
average weekly net assets. The Manager also acts as administrator of the Fund.
The Fund pays the Manager administration fees, which are computed and paid
monthly, at an annualized rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average weekly net assets.
 
The Manager is the pricing and accounting agent for the fund. The monthly fee
for these services to the Manager is a percentage, not to exceed 0.03% annually,
of the Fund's average daily net assets. The annual fee rate is derived by
applying 0.03% to the first $5 billion of assets of all registered mutual funds
advised by the Manager and 0.02% to the assets in excess of $5 billion and
allocating the result according to the Fund's average daily net assets.
 
The Fund pays each of its Directors who is not an employee, officer or director
of the Manager or any of its affiliated companies $5,000 per period plus $300
for each meeting of the board attended by the Director.
 
3. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES
For the six months ended June 30, 1997, purchases and sales of investment
securities by the Fund, other than U.S. government obligations and short-term
investments, aggregated $530,548,719 and $525,917,109, respectively. There were
no purchases or sales of U.S. government obligations by the Fund for the period.
 
4. CAPITAL SHARES
At June 30, 1997, the Fund is authorized to issue 100 million shares of capital
stock, $0.001 par value, all of which is classified as Common Stock.
 
5. EXPENSE REDUCTIONS
The Manager has directed certain portfolio trades to brokers who paid a portion
of the Fund's expenses. For the six months ended June 30, 1997, the Fund's
expenses were reduced by $6,738 under these arrangements.
 
6. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
On August 13, 1997, the Fund's Board of Directors approved certain matters
required to convert the Fund from a closed-end investment company to an open-end
mutual fund. A shareholder meeting has been called for October 20, 1997 at which
shareholders as of August 22, 1997 may vote on a plan to convert the Fund into a
newly organized GT Global Mutual Fund also to be named GT Global Developing
Markets Fund. If the Fund's shareholders approve the conversion to a mutual
fund, the conversion is expected to occur soon after the shareholder meeting.
 
                                      F21
<PAGE>
                   G.T. GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND, INC.
 
                                     NOTES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                       GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
 
   
                                GT GLOBAL FUNDS
    
 
   
  GT  GLOBAL  OFFERS A  BROAD  RANGE OF  FUNDS  TO COMPLEMENT  MANY INVESTORS'
  PORTFOLIOS. FOR MORE  INFORMATION AND A  PROSPECTUS ON ANY  GT GLOBAL  FUND,
  INCLUDING  FEES,  EXPENSES  AND  THE RISKS  OF  GLOBAL  AND  EMERGING MARKET
  INVESTING AND THE RISKS OF  INVESTING IN RELATED INDUSTRIES, PLEASE  CONTACT
  YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISER OR CALL GT GLOBAL DIRECTLY AT 1-800-824-1580.
    
 
GROWTH FUNDS
 
/ / GLOBALLY DIVERSIFIED FUNDS
 
   
GT GLOBAL NEW DIMENSION FUND
    
   
Captures global growth opportunities by investing directly in the six GT Global
Theme Funds
    
 
GT GLOBAL WORLDWIDE GROWTH FUND
Invests around the world, including the U.S.
 
GT GLOBAL INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND
Provides portfolio diversity by investing outside
the U.S.
 
GT GLOBAL EMERGING MARKETS FUND
Gives access to the growth potential of developing economies
 
GT GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
   
Invests in debt and equity securities of developing market issuers
    
 
/ / GLOBAL THEME FUNDS
 
GT GLOBAL CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND
SERVICES FUND
Invests in companies that manufacture, market, retail, or distribute consumer
products or services
 
GT GLOBAL FINANCIAL SERVICES FUND
Focuses on the worldwide opportunities from the demand for financial services
and products
 
GT GLOBAL HEALTH CARE FUND
Invests in growing health care industries worldwide
 
GT GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUND
Seeks companies that build, improve or maintain a country's infrastructure
 
GT GLOBAL NATURAL RESOURCES FUND
Concentrates on companies that own, explore or develop natural resources
 
GT GLOBAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS FUND
Invests in companies worldwide that develop, manufacture or sell
telecommunications services or equipment
 
/ / REGIONALLY DIVERSIFIED FUNDS
 
GT GLOBAL NEW PACIFIC GROWTH FUND
Offers access to the emerging and established markets of the Pacific Rim,
excluding Japan
 
GT GLOBAL EUROPE GROWTH FUND
Focuses on investment opportunities in the new, unified Europe
 
GT GLOBAL LATIN AMERICA GROWTH FUND
Invests in the emerging markets of Latin America
 
/ / SINGLE COUNTRY FUNDS
 
GT GLOBAL AMERICA SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND
Invests in equity securities of small U.S. companies
 
GT GLOBAL AMERICA MID CAP GROWTH FUND
Concentrates on medium-sized companies in the U.S.
 
GT GLOBAL AMERICA VALUE FUND
Concentrates on equity securities of large cap U.S. companies believed to be
undervalued
 
GT GLOBAL JAPAN GROWTH FUND
Provides U.S. investors with direct access to the Japanese market
 
GROWTH AND INCOME FUND
 
GT GLOBAL GROWTH & INCOME FUND
Invests in blue-chip stocks and government bonds from around the world
 
INCOME FUNDS
 
GT GLOBAL GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND
Earns monthly income from global government securities
 
GT GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
Allocates its assets among debt securities from the U.S., developed foreign
countries and emerging markets
 
GT GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND
Invests in debt securities in emerging markets
 
GT GLOBAL FLOATING RATE FUND
Invests primarily in senior secured floating rate loans that have the potential
to achieve a high level of current income
 
MONEY MARKET FUND
 
GT GLOBAL DOLLAR FUND
Invests in high quality, U.S. dollar-denominated money market securities
worldwide for stability and preservation of capital
 
[LOGO]
 
   
  NO  DEALER, SALES REPRESENTATIVE OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE
  ANY INFORMATION  OR  TO  MAKE  ANY  REPRESENTATION  NOT  CONTAINED  IN  THIS
  STATEMENT  OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION
  OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY  G.T.
  INVESTMENT  FUNDS, INC., GT  GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS  FUND, CHANCELLOR LGT
  ASSET MANAGEMENT,  INC. OR  GT  GLOBAL, INC.  THIS STATEMENT  OF  ADDITIONAL
  INFORMATION  DOES NOT  CONSTITUTE AN  OFFER TO  SELL OR  SOLICITATION OF ANY
  OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY
  PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER IN SUCH JURISDICTION.
    
                                                                   GROSX703   MC
<PAGE>
                          G.T. INVESTMENT FUNDS, INC.
                           PART C: OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 24. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
 
    (a) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- To Be Filed
 
   
        Included  in Part A of this Registration Statement: Financial highlights
        for one share of G.T. Global Developing Markets Fund, Inc.
    
 
   
        Included in Part B of this Registration Statement: The Annual Report  to
        shareholders  for  G.T. Global  Developing  Markets Fund,  Inc.  for the
        fiscal year  ended  December 31,  1996  and the  Semi-Annual  Report  to
        shareholders  for  G.T. Global  Developing  Markets Fund,  Inc.  for the
        six-month period ended June 30, 1997.
    
 
    (b) EXHIBITS REQUIRED BY PART C, ITEM 24 OF FORM N-1A.
 
   
         (1)(a)     The Registrant's Articles of Incorporation dated October 27,
                    1987 (3).
         (1)(b)     Articles Supplementary to Registrant's Articles of
                    Incorporation dated December 18, 1987 (3).
         (1)(c)     Articles Supplementary to Registrant's Articles of
                    Incorporation dated February 17, 1988 (3).
         (1)(d)     Articles of Amendment to Registrant's Articles of
                    Incorporation dated March 29, 1988 (3).
         (1)(e)     Articles Supplementary to Registrant's Articles of
                    Incorporation dated April 27, 1989 (3).
         (1)(f)     Articles Supplementary to Registrant's Articles of
                    Incorporation dated July 18, 1991 (3).
         (1)(g)     Articles Supplementary to Registrant's Articles of
                    Incorporation dated July 31, 1991 (3).
         (1)(h)     Articles Supplementary to Registrant's Articles of
                    Incorporation dated December 31, 1991 (3).
         (1)(i)     Articles Supplementary to Registrant's Articles of
                    Incorporation dated March 11, 1992 (3).
         (1)(j)     Articles Supplementary to Registrant's Articles of
                    Incorporation dated August 31, 1992 (3).
         (1)(k)     Articles of Amendment to Registrant's Articles of
                    Incorporation dated January 25, 1993 (3).
         (1)(l)     Articles Supplementary to Registrant's Articles of
                    Incorporation dated November 15, 1993 (3).
         (1)(m)     Articles Supplementary to Registrant's Articles of
                    Incorporation dated January 26, 1994 (3).
         (1)(n)     Articles Supplementary to Registrant's Articles of
                    Incorporation dated January 26, 1994 (3).
         (1)(o)     Articles Supplementary to Registrant's Articles of
                    Incorporation dated September 23, 1994 (3).
         (1)(p)     Articles Supplementary to Registrant's Articles of
                    Incorporation dated January 30, 1995 (2).
         (1)(q)     Articles Supplementary to Registrant's Articles of
                    Incorporation -- filed herewith.
         (2)        Registrant's By-Laws (3).
         (3)        Voting Trust Agreement. Not applicable.
         (4)        Instruments defining the rights of holders of the
                    Registrant's shares of common stock (5).
 
                                      C-1
    
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<S>                 <C>
         (5)(a)     Investment Management and Administration Contract dated
                    April 19, 1989 (3).
         (5)(b)     Investment Management and Administration Contract Fee Letter
                    relating to:
</TABLE>
    
 
   
                  (i) GT Global Growth & Income Fund (3).
    
   
                  (ii) GT Global Latin America Growth Fund and GT Global Small
                       Companies Fund (3).
    
   
                 (iii) GT Global Telecommunications Fund (3).
    
                 (iv) Withdrawn
   
                  (v) GT Global Emerging Markets Fund (3).
    
   
                 (vi) GT Global Developing Markets Fund -- filed herewith.
    
 
   
         (5)(c)     Administration Contract relating to:
 
                  (i) GT Global High Income Fund (3).
    
   
                  (ii) GT Global Infrastructure Fund, GT Global Natural
                       Resources Fund and GT Global Financial Services Fund (3).
    
 
   
         (5)(d)     Administration Contract Fee Letter relating to the GT Global
                    Consumer Products and Services Fund (2).
         (6)(a)     Distribution Agreement relating to Class A shares (3).
         (6)(b)     Distribution Agreement relating to Class B shares (3).
         (6)(c)     Distribution Agreement relating to Advisor Class shares (5).
         (7)        Not applicable.
         (8)        The Custodian Agreement between the Registrant and State
                    Street Bank and Trust Company (3).
         (9)(a)     The Transfer Agent Contract dated May 25, 1990 (3).
         (9)(b)     Other material contracts:
 
    
   
                  (i) Broker/dealer sales contract (3).
    
   
                  (ii) Bank sales contract (3).
    
   
                 (iii) Agency sales contract (3).
    
   
                 (iv) Foreign sales contract (3).
    
 
   
        (10)(a)     Opinion and consent of counsel relating to GT Global
                    Government Income Fund and GT Global Strategic Income Fund
                    (formerly G.T. Global Bond Fund) (3).
        (10)(b)     Opinion and consent of counsel relating to GT Global Health
                    Care Fund (3).
        (10)(c)     Opinion and consent of counsel relating to GT Global Growth
                    & Income Fund (3).
        (10)(d)     Opinion and consent of counsel relating to GT Global Latin
                    America Growth Fund and GT Global Small Companies Fund (3).
        (10)(e)     Opinion and consent of counsel relating to GT Global
                    Telecommunications Fund and GT Global Financial Services
                    Fund (3).
        (10)(f)     Opinion and consent of counsel relating to GT Global
                    Emerging Markets Fund (3).
        (10)(g)     Opinion and consent of counsel relating to GT Global High
                    Income Fund (3).
        (10)(h)     Opinion and consent of counsel relating to GT Global
                    Infrastructure Fund and GT Global Natural Resources Fund
                    (3).
        (10)(i)     Opinion and consent of counsel relating to GT Global
                    Consumer Products and Services Fund and GT Global Financial
                    Services Fund (3).
        (10)(j)     Opinion  and  consent  of  counsel  relating  to  GT  Global
                    Developing Markets Fund -- filed herewith.
 
                                      C-2
    
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                 <C>
        (11)(a)     Consents of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., Independent
                    Accountants, relating to:
</TABLE>
 
   
                  (i) GT  Global Consumer Products and  Services Fund, GT Global
                      Financial Services Fund,  GT Global Health  Care Fund,  GT
                      Global  Infrastructure Fund,  GT Global  Natural Resources
                      Fund, GT Global Telecommunications Fund (5).
    
   
                  (ii) GT Global  Government Income  Fund, GT  Global  Strategic
                       Income Fund and GT Global High Income Fund (5).
    
   
                 (iii) GT Global Growth & Income Fund (5).
    
   
                 (iv) GT Global Latin America Growth Fund and GT Global Emerging
                      Markets Fund (5).
    
   
                  (v) GT Global Developing Markets Fund -- filed herewith.
    
 
   
        (12)        Not applicable.
        (13)        Not applicable.
        (14)        Model retirement plan -- GT Global Individual Retirement
                    Account Disclosure Statement and Application (5).
        (15)(a)     Distribution Plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 relating to
                    Class A Shares (3).
        (15)(b)     Distribution Plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 relating to
                    Class B Shares (3).
        (16)        Schedules of Computation of Performance Data relating to the
                    Class A, Class B and Advisor Class shares of:
 
    
   
                  (i) GT Global Government Income Fund (4).
    
   
                  (ii) GT Global Strategic Income Fund (4).
    
   
                 (iii) GT Global Health Care Fund (4).
    
   
                 (iv) GT Global Growth & Income Fund (4).
    
   
                  (v) GT Global Latin America Growth Fund (4).
    
   
                 (vi) GT Global Telecommunications Fund (4).
    
   
                 (vii) GT Global Emerging Markets Fund (4).
    
   
                (viii) GT Global High Income Fund (4).
    
   
                 (ix) GT Global Financial Services Fund (4).
    
   
                  (x) GT Global Infrastructure Fund (4).
    
   
                 (xi) GT Global Natural Resources Fund (4).
    
   
                 (xii) GT Global Consumer Products and Services Fund (4).
    
   
                (xiii) GT Global Developing Markets Fund -- filed herewith.
    
 
   
        (17)        Financial Data Schedules (5).
        (18)        Multiple Class Plan adopted pursuant to Rule 18f-3 -- filed
                    herewith.
 
    
 
   
Other Exhibits:
        (a)         Power of Attorney for Helge K. Lee and Michael A. Silver for
                    G.T. Investment Funds, Inc. -- filed herewith.
 
    
- ------------------------
(1)   Incorporated  by  reference  to  the  identically  enumerated  Exhibit  of
    Post-Effective Amendment No. 16 to the Registration Statement on Form  N-1A,
    filed on January 17, 1992.
 
(2)   Incorporated  by  reference  to  the  identically  enumerated  Exhibit  of
    Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 to the Registration Statement on Form  N-1A,
    filed on June 30, 1995.
 
   
(3)   Incorporated  by  reference  to  the  identically  enumerated  Exhibit  of
    Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 to the Registration Statement on Form  N-1A,
    filed on December 30, 1996.
    
 
   
(4)   Incorporated  by  reference  to  the  identically  enumerated  Exhibit  of
    Post-Effective Amendment No. 44 to the Registration Statement on Form  N-1A,
    filed on February 28, 1996.
    
 
   
(5)   Incorporated  by  reference  to  the  identically  enumerated  Exhibit  of
    Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 to the Registration Statement on Form  N-1A,
    filed on February 26, 1997.
    
 
                                      C-3
<PAGE>
ITEM 25. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH THE REGISTRANT
 
    None.
 
ITEM 26. NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES AS OF AUGUST 13, 1997.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  NUMBER OF RECORD
TITLE OF CLASS                                                                                        HOLDERS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ----------------
<S>                                                                                               <C>
   Capital Stock, $.0001 par value, of:
      GT Global Growth & Income Fund Class A....................................................          20,502
      GT Global Growth & Income Fund Class B....................................................          31,269
      GT Global Growth & Income Fund Advisor Class..............................................             182
      GT Global Strategic Income Fund Class A...................................................          10,604
      GT Global Strategic Income Fund Class B...................................................          20,155
      GT Global Strategic Income Fund Advisor Class.............................................              80
      GT Global Government Income Fund Class A..................................................          12,646
      GT Global Government Income Fund Class B..................................................           8,136
      GT Global Government Income Fund Advisor Class............................................              41
      GT Global High Income Fund Class A........................................................           8,104
      GT Global High Income Fund Class B........................................................          13,573
      GT Global High Income Fund Advisor Class..................................................             279
      GT Global Health Care Fund Class A........................................................          38,428
      GT Global Health Care Fund Class B........................................................          13,353
      GT Global Health Care Fund Advisor Class..................................................             185
      GT Global Latin America Growth Fund Class A...............................................          23,078
      GT Global Latin America Growth Fund Class B...............................................          20,001
      GT Global Latin America Growth Fund Advisor Class.........................................             186
      GT Global Telecommunications Fund Class A.................................................          97,941
      GT Global Telecommunications Fund Class B.................................................          90,690
      GT Global Telecommunications Fund Advisor Class...........................................             239
      GT Global Financial Services Fund Class A.................................................           3,027
      GT Global Financial Services Fund Class B.................................................           4,269
      GT Global Financial Services Fund Advisor Class...........................................              83
      GT Global Infrastructure Fund Class A.....................................................           6,032
      GT Global Infrastructure Fund Class B.....................................................           7,773
      GT Global Infrastructure Fund Advisor Class...............................................             146
      GT Global Natural Resources Fund Class A..................................................           6,946
      GT Global Natural Resources Fund Class B..................................................           8,367
      GT Global Natural Resources Fund Advisor Class............................................             191
      GT Global Emerging Markets Fund Class A...................................................          25,610
      GT Global Emerging Markets Fund Class B...................................................          28,884
      GT Global Emerging Markets Fund Advisor Class.............................................             308
      GT Global Currency Fund...................................................................               1
      GT Global Small Companies Fund............................................................               1
      GT Global Consumer Products and Services Fund Class A.....................................           8,539
      GT Global Consumer Products and Services Fund Class B.....................................          10,233
      GT Global Consumer Products and Services Fund Advisor Class...............................             222
      GT Global Developing Markets Fund Class A.................................................               0
      GT Global Developing Markets Fund Class B.................................................               0
      GT Global Developing Markets Fund Advisor Class...........................................               0
</TABLE>
 
                                      C-4
<PAGE>
ITEM 27. INDEMNIFICATION
 
    Article  VII(g) of the  Registrant's Articles of  Incorporation provides for
indemnification of certain persons acting on behalf of the Fund.
 
    Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities  Act
of  1933, as amended ("1933  Act"), may be permitted  to Directors, officers and
controlling persons by the Registrant's  Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws,  or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and  Exchange Commission  ("Commission") such indemnification  is against public
policy as expressed in  the 1933 Act, and  is, therefore, unenforceable. In  the
event  that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the
payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a Director, officer or
controlling person of the  Registrant in the successful  defense of any  action,
suit  or proceeding) is asserted by such Director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will,  unless
in  the  opinion of  its  counsel the  matter  has been  settled  by controlling
precedent, submit to a  court of appropriate  jurisdiction the question  whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act
and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issues.
 
ITEM 28. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER
 
    See  the  material  under  the  heading  "Management"  included  in  Part  A
(Prospectus) of this  Amendment and  the material appearing  under the  headings
"Directors  and  Officers" and  "Management" included  in  Part B  (Statement of
Additional Information) of this Amendment.  Information as to the Directors  and
Officers  of the Adviser is included in its Form ADV (File No. 801-10254), filed
with the Commission, which is incorporated herein by reference thereto.
 
ITEM 29. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS
 
   
    (a) GT Global,  Inc. is  also the  principal underwriter  for the  following
other  investment  companies:  G.T.  Global Growth  Series  (which  includes the
following funds:  GT Global  America Value  Fund, GT  Global America  Small  Cap
Growth  Fund, GT  Global America  Mid Cap Growth  Fund, GT  Global Europe Growth
Fund, GT  Global International  Growth Fund,  GT Global  Japan Growth  Fund,  GT
Global  New  Pacific Growth  Fund  and GT  Global  Worldwide Growth  Fund); G.T.
Investment Portfolios, Inc. (which includes one fund: GT Global Dollar Fund); GT
Global Series Trust  (which includes one  fund: GT Global  New Dimension  Fund);
G.T.  Global Variable Investment Series (which includes five funds in operation:
GT Global Variable New Pacific Fund,  GT Global Variable Europe Fund, GT  Global
Variable America Fund, GT Global Variable International Fund and GT Global Money
Market  Fund); G.T. Global Variable Investment Trust (which includes seven funds
in operation:  GT  Global  Variable  Latin  America  Fund,  GT  Global  Variable
Telecommunications  Fund, GT  Global Variable  Growth &  Income Fund,  GT Global
Variable Strategic Income  Fund, GT  Global Variable Emerging  Markets Fund,  GT
Global  Variable  Global  Government Income  Fund  and GT  Global  Variable U.S.
Government Income Fund); and GT Global Floating Rate Fund, Inc.
    
 
                                      C-5
<PAGE>
    (b) Directors and Officers of GT Global, Inc.
 
   
    Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each person listed is 50
California Street, 27th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              POSITIONS AND OFFICES               POSITIONS AND OFFICES
NAME                                          WITH UNDERWRITER                    WITH REGISTRANT
- --------------------------------------------  ----------------------------------  ----------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>                                 <C>
William J. Guilfoyle                          President and Chairman of the       Chairman of the Board of Directors
                                                Board                               and President
Raymond R. Cunningham                         Senior Vice President and Director  None
                                                of Sales
Richard Healey                                Senior Vice President -- Director   None
                                                of Marketing and Director
Helge K. Lee                                  Secretary                           Vice President and Secretary
Daniel L. Phillips                            Vice President -- Retirement        None
                                                Product Marketing
David P. Hess                                 Assistant Secretary                 Assistant Secretary
Philip D. Edelstein                           Senior Vice President -- Regional   None
9 Huntly Circle                                 Sales Manager
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
Stephen A. Maginn                             Senior Vice President -- Regional   None
519 S. Juanita                                  Sales Manager
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Peter J. Wolfert                              Senior Vice President --            None
                                                Information Technology
Christine M. Pallatto                         Senior Vice President -- Human      None
                                                Resources
Margo A. Tammen                               Vice President -- Finance &         None
                                                Administration
Gary M. Castro                                Assistant Treasurer & Controller    None
Dennis W. Reichert                            Assistant Treasurer & Budget        Assistant Treasurer
                                                Director
Jon Burke                                     Vice President                      None
31 Darlene Drive
Southboro, MA 01772
Phil Christopher                              Vice President                      None
3621 59th Avenue, SW
Seattle, WA 98116
Anthony DiBacco                               Vice President                      None
30585 Via Lindosa Way
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Stephen Duffy                                 Vice President                      None
1120 Gables Drive
Atlanta, GA 30319
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      C-6
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              POSITIONS AND OFFICES               POSITIONS AND OFFICES
NAME                                          WITH UNDERWRITER                    WITH REGISTRANT
- --------------------------------------------  ----------------------------------  ----------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>                                 <C>
Glenn R. Farinacci                            Vice President                      None
96 University Place
Staten Island, NY 10301
Ned E. Hammond                                Vice President                      None
5901 McFarland Ct.
Plano, TX 75093
Campbell Judge                                Vice President                      None
1326 Lake Street
San Francisco, CA 94118
Richard Kashnowski                            Vice President                      None
1368 South Ridge Drive
Mandeville, LA 70448
Allen M. Kuhn                                 Vice President                      None
19655 Red Maple Lane
Jupiter, FL 33458
Jeffrey S. Kulik                              Vice President                      None
6540 Autumn Wind Circle
Clarksville, MD 21029
Steven C. Manns                               Vice President                      None
1941 West Wolfram
Chicago, IL 60657
Wayne F. Meyer                                Vice President                      None
2617 Sun Meadow Drive
Chesterfield, MO 63005
Dean Phillips                                 Vice President                      None
3406 Bishop Park Drive, #428
Winter Park, FL 32792
Philip Schertz                                Vice President                      None
25 Ivy Place
Wayne, NJ 07470
Peter Sykes                                   Vice President                      None
1655 E. Sherman Ave.
Salt Lake City, UT 84105
Lance Vetter                                  Vice President                      None
10915 La Salinas Circle
Boca Raton, FL 33428
Tommy D. Wells                                Vice President                      None
25 Crane Drive
San Anselmo, CA 94960
Todd H. Westby                                Vice President                      None
3405 Goshen Road
Newtown Square, PA 19073
Eric T. Zeigler                               Vice President                      None
3100 The Strand
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
</TABLE>
    
 
    (c) None.
 
                                      C-7
<PAGE>
ITEM 30. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS
 
    Accounts, books and other  records required by Rules  31a-1 and 31a-2  under
the  Investment Company Act of 1940, as  amended, are maintained and held in the
offices of  the Registrant  and  its investment  manager, Chancellor  LGT  Asset
Management,  Inc., 50 California  Street, 27th Floor,  San Francisco, California
94111.
 
    Records covering stockholder  accounts and portfolio  transactions are  also
maintained  and  kept by  the Registrant's  Transfer  Agent, GT  Global Investor
Services, Inc.,  2121 N.  California  Boulevard, Suite  450, Walnut  Creek,  CA,
94596,  and by the Registrant's Custodian,  State Street Bank and Trust Company,
225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.
 
ITEM 31. MANAGEMENT SERVICES
 
    None.
 
ITEM 32. UNDERTAKINGS
 
    None.
 
                                      C-8
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,  and
the  Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant hereby certifies
that it  meets  all of  the  requirements  for effectiveness  of  the  Amendment
pursuant  to Rule 485(b)  under the Securities  Act of 1933  and has duly caused
this Post-Effective Amendment to this Registration Statement to be signed on its
behalf by  the  undersigned,  thereto  duly  authorized,  in  the  City  of  San
Francisco, and the State of California, on the 28th day of October, 1997.
    
 
                                          G.T. INVESTMENT FUNDS, INC.
 
                                          By:  William J. Guilfoyle*
                                               President
 
   
    Pursuant   to  the  requirements  of  the   Securities  Act  of  1933,  this
Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement of G.T. Investment Funds,
Inc. has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities  indicated
on the 28th day of October, 1997.
    
 
   
                                          President, Director and
William J. Guilfoyle*                     Chairman of the Board
                                          (Principal Executive Officer)
 
  /s/  KENNETH W. CHANCEY
- ----------------------------------------  Vice President and Principal
Kenneth W. Chancey                        Accounting Officer
 
C. Derek Anderson*                        Director
 
Arthur C. Patterson*                      Director
 
Frank S. Bayley*                          Director
 
Ruth H. Quigley*                          Director
 
Robert G. Wade, Jr.*                      Director
 
    
 
   
*By:   /s/  MICHAEL A. SILVER
     -----------------------------------
     Michael A. Silver
     Attorney-in-Fact, pursuant to
     Power of Attorney filed herewith
 
                                      C-9
    
<PAGE>
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
   
    Each  person whose signature  appears below hereby  constitutes and appoints
Helge K. Lee and  Michael A. Silver, and  each of them, with  full power to  act
without  the other, his or her true  and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with
full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or  her
name,  place and stead, in any and  all capacities (until revoked in writing) to
sign the Registration Statement and any  and all Amendments to the  Registration
Statement  (including Post-Effective Amendments), and to file the same, with all
exhibits  thereto,  and  other  documents  in  connection  therewith,  with  the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission, granting  unto said  attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them,  full power and authority to  do and perform each  and
every act and thing ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents  or any of them, or their  or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
    
 
                          G.T. INVESTMENT FUNDS, INC.
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                       <C>                                     <C>
  /s/  WILLIAM J. GUILFOYLE
- ----------------------------------------  Director, Chairman of                   October 14, 1997
William J. Guilfoyle                      the Board and President
 
  /s/  C. DEREK ANDERSON
- ----------------------------------------  Director                                October 14, 1997
C. Derek Anderson
 
  /s/  FRANK S. BAYLEY
- ----------------------------------------  Director                                October 14, 1997
Frank S. Bayley
 
  /s/  ARTHUR C. PATTERSON
- ----------------------------------------  Director                                October 14, 1997
Arthur C. Patterson
 
  /s/  RUTH H. QUIGLEY
- ----------------------------------------  Director                                October 14, 1997
Ruth H. Quigley
 
  /s/  ROBERT G. WADE JR.
- ----------------------------------------  Director                                October 14, 1997
Robert G. Wade Jr.
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      C-10

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FUND'S
SEMI-ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                           506685
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                          547221
<RECEIVABLES>                                    23344
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   54088
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  624653
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                         24293
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                        39761
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                              64054
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                        545109
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                            36417
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                            36417
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                         7627
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                        (32738)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                         40601
<NET-ASSETS>                                    560599
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                 3761
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                 8297
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                  (4795)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                           7263
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                         69331
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                      (20008)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                            56586
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                              0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                          0
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                  0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                           56586
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                             3689
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                   4888
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                            531595
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            13.84
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   0.20
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           1.35
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              15.39
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.82
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        


</TABLE>

<PAGE>
                                                                EXHIBIT 99(1)(q)
 
                             ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY
                                       TO
                           ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                          G.T. INVESTMENT FUNDS, INC.
 
    G.T.  Investment Funds, Inc. ("Company"),  a Maryland corporation, organized
on October  29, 1987,  having its  principal office  in Maryland  in  Baltimore,
Maryland,  hereby certifies to the State  Department of Assessments and Taxation
of Maryland that:
 
    FIRST: By action of the Board of Directors of the Company in accordance with
the Company's  Articles of  Incorporation, three  hundred million  (300,000,000)
shares  of  capital stock  that the  Company  is authorized  to issue  have been
classified as shares of GT Global Developing Markets Fund (or such other name as
the officers of the Company may determine), a newly created series, one  hundred
million  (100,000,000) of such shares have been  classified as Class A shares of
capital stock,  one  hundred million  (100,000,000)  of such  shares  have  been
classified  as  Class  B  shares  of  capital  stock  and  one  hundred  million
(100,000,000) have been classified as Advisor  Class shares of capital stock  of
the  GT Global Developing Markets  Fund. The par value  of the shares of capital
stock remains 1/100th of one cent ($.0001) per share. The aggregate par value of
the shares  of GT  Global Developing  Markets Fund  is thirty  thousand  dollars
($30,000).  Shares of GT Global Developing  Markets Fund shall have the relative
preferences, rights, voting powers,  restrictions, limitations as to  dividends,
qualifications  and terms and conditions of  redemption specified for series and
classes of shares of the Company  in the Company's Articles of Incorporation  as
currently in effect.
 
    SECOND:   The  Company  is  registered  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission as an open-end investment company under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended.
 
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned  Vice President of  the Company  hereby
executes  these  Articles Supplementary  on behalf  of  the Company  and further
states  under  penalties  of  perjury  that,  to  the  best  of  his  knowledge,
information  and belief, the matters and facts  set forth herein are true in all
material respects.
 
Dated: October 24, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>                                     <C>
                                                             /s/  KENNETH W. CHANCEY
                                                   -------------------------------------------
                                                                Kenneth W. Chancey
                                                     Vice President and Principal Accounting
                                                                     Officer
 
Attest:            /s/  MICHAEL A. SILVER
           -------------------------------------
                     Michael A. Silver
                    Assistant Secretary
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
                                                            EXHIBIT 99(5)(b)(vi)
 
                                          October 27, 1997
 
Chancellor LGT Asset Management, Inc.
50 California Street
27th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94111
 
    Re:    Investment Management and Administration Fee
          Agreement for GT Global Developing Markets Fund
          --------------------------------------------------------
 
Dear Sir or Madam:
 
    G.T.  Investment Funds,  Inc. (the  "Company") has  appointed Chancellor LGT
Asset Management,  Inc. ("Chancellor  LGT")  to act  as investment  manager  and
administrator  to a  new fund organized  as a  series of the  Company, GT Global
Developing Markets Fund (the  "Fund"), pursuant to the  terms of the  Investment
Management  and Administration Contract  between the Company  and Chancellor LGT
currently in effect (the "Management  Contract"). For providing services to  the
Fund  pursuant  to the  Management Contract,  the Fund  will pay  Chancellor LGT
investment management and administration  fees, based on  its average daily  net
assets, at the annualized rate of 0.975% on the first $500 million, 0.95% on the
next  $500 million,  0.925% on the  next $500  million and 0.90%  on the amounts
thereafter. Such fees are to be calculated daily and paid monthly by the Fund.
 
    Please indicate your acceptance of the foregoing by executing two copies  of
this  Letter Agreement, returning one to the  Company and retaining one for your
records.
 
                                          Sincerely,
 
                                          G.T. INVESTMENT FUNDS, INC.
 
   
                                          By: /s/ Kenneth W. Chancey
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Kenneth W. Chancey
                                            Vice President and Principal
                                            Accounting Officer
    
 
Acknowledged and Accepted:
 
CHANCELLOR LGT ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.
 
   
By: /s/ Helge Krist Lee
  --------------------------------------------
  --------------------------------------------
  Vice President and Secretary
    

<PAGE>
                                                               EXHIBIT 99(10)(j)
 
   
                                          October 29, 1997
    
 
G.T. Investment Funds, Inc.
50 California Street, 27th Floor
San Francisco, California 94111
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
    You  have requested our opinion regarding certain matters in connection with
the issuance of certain  shares by G.T. Investment  Funds, Inc. ("Company").  We
have   examined  the  Company's  Articles   of  Incorporation,  as  amended  and
supplemented, and other  corporate documents relating  to the authorization  and
issuance  of the  shares of common  stock of  the Company. In  addition, we have
examined the Articles Supplementary to the Articles of Incorporation filed  with
the   Maryland  State  Department  of   Assessments  and  Taxation,  classifying
100,000,000 shares of common stock of the Company as Class A shares, 100,000,000
shares of common stock of the Company  as Class B shares and 100,000,000  shares
of  common  stock  of the  Company  as Advisor  Class  shares of  the  GT Global
Developing Markets Fund series of the Company ("Developing Markets Fund"). Based
upon this examination, we are of the opinion that:
 
    1.   Up  to 100,000,000  Class  A shares,  100,000,000  Class B  shares  and
       100,000,000  Advisor Class shares  of the Developing  Markets Fund may be
       legally and  validly issued  from time  to time  in accordance  with  the
       Company's   Articles  of  Incorporation  and   By-Laws,  and  subject  to
       compliance with the Securities Act of 1933, the Investment Company Act of
       1940, and applicable state laws regulating the sale of securities; and
 
    2.  When so issued, the shares of the Developing Markets Fund will be  fully
       paid and nonassessable.
 
    We  hereby  consent  to  the  filing  of  this  opinion  in  connection with
Post-Effective Amendment No. 49 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File
No. 33-19338)  which you  are about  to file  with the  Securities and  Exchange
Commission.  We also  consent to  the reference  to our  firm under  the caption
"Counsel" in the Registration Statement.
 
                                          Very truly yours,
 
                                          Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP
 
   
                                          By:/S/ R. DARRELL MOUNTS
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            R. Darrell Mounts
    

<PAGE>
                                                            EXHIBIT 99(11)(a)(v)
 
   
COOPERS                                             COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
& LYBRAND                                           A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FIRM
 
    
 
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
To the Board of Directors of GT Investment Funds, Inc.:
 
    We  hereby consent to the  inclusion of our reports  dated February 27, 1997
and August 15,  1997 on  our audits of  the financial  statements and  financial
highlights  of G.T. Global Developing Markets Fund, Inc. as at December 31, 1996
and June 30, 1997 in the Statement of Additional Information with respect to the
Post-Effective Amendment to the  Registration Statement on  Form N-1A under  the
Securities  Act of  1933, as  amended, of GT  Investment Funds,  Inc. We further
consent to the reference to our  Firm under the captions "Financial  Highlights"
and  "Other Information" in the Prospectus  and "Independent Accountants" in the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
   
                                          /S/ COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
                                          Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
    
   
Boston, Massachusetts
October 29, 1997
    

<PAGE>
                                                            EXHIBIT 99(16)(xiii)
 
               SCHEDULE FOR COMPUTATION OF PERFORMANCE QUOTATIONS
                       GT GLOBAL: DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
                                 CLASS A SHARES
 
   
    The following is the schedule for the computation of the Standardized Return
quotations  for the  Class A  Shares of  the GT  Global Developing  Markets Fund
Series of the Registrant.
    
 
                              STANDARDIZED RETURN
 
Time period covered: June 30, 1996 - June 30, 1997
Formula: P(1+T)to the power of n = ERV
P = initial investment ($1,000)
T = average annual total return
n = number of years (1)
ERV = ending redeemable value ($1,147.80 which assumes deduction of the maximum
      4.75% sales charge on a $1,000 investment at the beginning of the period)
 
<TABLE>
<S>           <C>           <C>  <C>
Calculation:  $1,000        =    1,147.80
              (T+1)(1)
              (T+1)(1)      =    (1,147.80/$1,000)
              T+1           =    (1,147.80/$1,000)(1)
              T             =    (1,147.80/$1,000)(1) - 1
              T             =    0.1478
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Time period covered: June 30, 1992 - June 30, 1997
Formula: P(1+T)to the power of n = ERV
P = initial investment ($1,000)
T = average annual total return
n = number of years (5)
Calculation: N/A
             N/A
             N/A
             N/A
             N/A
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Time period covered: January 11, 1994 (commencement of operations) - June 30,
1997
Formula: P(1+T)to the power of n = VOA
P = initial investment ($1,000)
T = average annual total return
n = number of years (1,266/365 = 3.47)
VOA = ending value of account ($1,114.20 which assumes deduction of the maximum
      4.75% sales charge on a $1,000 investment at the beginning of the period)
 
<TABLE>
<S>           <C>           <C>  <C>
Calculation:  $1,000        =    1,114.20
              (T+1)(3.47)
              (T+1)(3.47)   =    (1,114.20/$1,000)
              T+1           =    (1,114.20/$1,000)(0.29)
              T             =    (1,114.20/$1,000)(0.29) - 1
              T             =    0.0317
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Time period covered: January 11, 1994 (commencement of operations) - June 30,
1997
Formula: T = (VOA/P)-1
P = initial investment ($1,000)
T = aggregate total return
VOA = ending value of account ($1,114.20 which assumes deduction of the maximum
      4.75% sales charge on a $1,000 investment at the beginning of the period)
 
<TABLE>
<S>           <C>           <C>  <C>
Calculation:  T             =    (1,114.20/$1,000)-1
              T             =    0.1142
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Time period covered: June 30, 1987 - June 30, 1997
Formula: P(1+T)to the power of n = ERV
P = $1,000
T = average annual total return
n = number of years (10)
Calculation: N/A
             N/A
             N/A
             N/A
             N/A
<PAGE>
               SCHEDULE FOR COMPUTATION OF PERFORMANCE QUOTATIONS
                       GT GLOBAL: DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
                                 CLASS A SHARES
 
   
    The following is the  schedule for the  computation of the  Non-Standardized
Return  quotations for the  Class A Shares  of the GT  Global Developing Markets
Fund Series of the Registrant.
    
 
                            NON-STANDARDIZED RETURN
 
Time period covered: June 30, 1996 - June 30, 1997
Formula: P(1+T)to the power of n = ERV
P = initial investment ($1,000)
T = average annual total return
n = number of years (1)
ERV = ending redeeming value ($1,205.00 which does not take sales charge into
      account)
 
<TABLE>
<S>           <C>           <C>  <C>
Calculation:  $1,000        =    1,205.00
              (T+1)(1)
              (T+1)(1)      =    (1,205.00/$1,000)
              T+1           =    (1,205.00/$1,000)(1)
              T             =    (1,205.00/$1,000)(1) - 1
              T             =    0.2050
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Time period covered: June 30, 1992 - June 30, 1997
Formula: P(1+T)to the power of n = ERV
P = initial investment ($1,000)
T = average annual total return
n = number of years (5)
Calculation: N/A
             N/A
             N/A
             N/A
             N/A
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Time period covered: January 11, 1994 (commencement of operations) - June 30,
1997
Formula: P(1+T)to the power of n = VOA
P = initial investment ($1,000)
T = average annual total return
n = number of years (1,266/365 = 3.47)
VOA = ending value of account ($1,169.80 which does not take sales charge into
      account)
 
<TABLE>
<S>           <C>           <C>  <C>
Calculation:  $1,000        =    1,169.80
              (T+1)(3.47)
              (T+1)(3.47)   =    (1,169.80/$1,000)
              T+1           =    (1,169.80/$1,000)(0.29)
              T             =    (1,169.80/$1,000)(0.29) - 1
              T             =    0.0463
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Time period covered: January 11, 1994 (commencement of operations) - June 30,
1997
Formula: T = (VOA/P)-1
P = initial investment ($1,000)
T = aggregate total return
VOA = ending value of account ($1,169.80 which does not take sales charge into
      account)
 
<TABLE>
<S>           <C>           <C>  <C>
Calculation:  T             =    (1,169.80/$1,000)-1
              T             =    0.1698
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Time period covered: June 30, 1987 - June 30, 1997
Formula: P(1+T)to the power of n = ERV
P = $1,000
T = average annual total return
n = number of years (10)
Calculation: N/A
             N/A
             N/A
             N/A
             N/A
<PAGE>
               SCHEDULE FOR COMPUTATION OF PERFORMANCE QUOTATIONS
                       GT GLOBAL: DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
                                 CLASS B SHARES
 
   
    The following is the  schedule for the  computation of the  Non-Standardized
Return  quotations for the  Class B Shares  of the GT  Global Developing Markets
Fund Series of the Registrant.
    
 
                            NON-STANDARDIZED RETURN
 
Time period covered: June 30, 1996 - June 30, 1997
Formula: P(1+T)to the power of n = ERV
P = initial investment ($1,000)
T = average annual total return
n = number of years (1)
ERV = ending redeeming value ($1,205.00 which does not take sales charge into
      account)
 
<TABLE>
<S>           <C>           <C>  <C>
Calculation:  $1,000        =    1,205.00
              (T+1)(1)
              (T+1)(1)      =    (1,205.00/$1,000)
              T+1           =    (1,205.00/$1,000)(1)
              T             =    (1,205.00/$1,000)(1) - 1
              T             =    0.2050
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Time period covered: June 30, 1992 - June 30, 1997
Formula: P(1+T)to the power of n = ERV
P = initial investment ($1,000)
T = average annual total return
n = number of years (5)
Calculation: N/A
             N/A
             N/A
             N/A
             N/A
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Time period covered: January 11, 1994 (commencement of operations) - June 30,
1997
Formula: P(1+T)to the power of n = VOA
P = initial investment ($1,000)
T = average annual total return
n = number of years (1,266/365 = 3.47)
VOA = ending value of account ($1,169.80 which does not take sales charge into
      account)
 
<TABLE>
<S>           <C>           <C>  <C>
Calculation:  $1,000        =    1,169.80
              (T+1)(3.47)
              (T+1)(3.47)   =    (1,169.80/$1,000)
              T+1           =    (1,169.80/$1,000)(0.29)
              T             =    (1,169.80/$1,000)(0.29) - 1
              T             =    0.0463
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Time period covered: January 11, 1994 (commencement of operations) - June 30,
1997
Formula: T = (VOA/P)-1
P = initial investment ($1,000)
T = aggregate total return
VOA = ending value of account ($1,169.80 which does not take sales charge into
      account)
 
<TABLE>
<S>           <C>           <C>  <C>
Calculation:  T             =    (1,169.80/$1,000)-1
              T             =    0.1698
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Time period covered: June 30, 1987 - June 30, 1997
Formula: P(1+T)to the power of n = ERV
P = $1,000
T = average annual total return
n = number of years (10)
Calculation: N/A
             N/A
             N/A
             N/A
             N/A
<PAGE>
               SCHEDULE FOR COMPUTATION OF PERFORMANCE QUOTATIONS
                       GT GLOBAL: DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
                                 CLASS B SHARES
 
   
    The following is the schedule for the computation of the Standardized Return
quotations for  the Class  B Shares  of the  GT Global  Developing Markets  Fund
Series of the Registrant.
    
 
                              STANDARDIZED RETURN
 
Time period covered: June 30, 1996 - June 30, 1997
Formula: P(1+T)to the power of n = ERV
P = initial investment ($1,000)
T = average annual total return
n = number of years (1)
ERV = ending redeemable value ($1,155.00 which assumes deduction of the maximum
      5.00% sales charge on a $1,000 investment at the beginning of the period)
 
<TABLE>
<S>           <C>           <C>  <C>
Calculation:  $1,000        =    1,155.00
              (T+1)(1)
              (T+1)(1)      =    (1,155.00/$1,000)
              T+1           =    (1,155.00/$1,000)(1)
              T             =    (1,155.00/$1,000)(1) - 1
              T             =    0.1550
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Time period covered: June 30, 1992 - June 30, 1997
Formula: P(1+T)to the power of n = ERV
P = initial investment ($1,000)
T = average annual total return
n = number of years (5)
Calculation: N/A
             N/A
             N/A
             N/A
             N/A
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Time period covered: January 11, 1994 (commencement of operations) - June 30,
1997
Formula: P(1+T)to the power of n = VOA
P = initial investment ($1,000)
T = average annual total return
n = number of years (1,266/365 = 3.47)
   
VOA = ending value of account ($1,139.80 which assumes deduction of the maximum
      3.00% sales charge on a $1,000 investment at the end of the period)
    
 
<TABLE>
<S>           <C>           <C>  <C>
Calculation:  $1,000        =    1,139.80
              (T+1)(3.47)
              (T+1)(3.47)   =    (1,139.80/$1,000)
              T+1           =    (1,139.80/$1,000)(0.29)
              T             =    (1,139.80/$1,000)(0.29) - 1
              T             =    .0385
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Time period covered: January 11, 1994 (commencement of operations) - June 30,
1997
Formula: T = (VOA/P)-1
P = initial investment ($1,000)
T = aggregate total return
   
VOA = ending value of account ($1,139.80 which assumes deduction of the maximum
      3.00% sales charge on a $1,000 investment at the end of the period)
    
 
<TABLE>
<S>           <C>           <C>  <C>
Calculation:  T             =    (1,139.80/$1,000)-1
              T             =    0.1398
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Time period covered: June 30, 1987 - June 30, 1997
Formula: P(1+T)to the power of n = ERV
P = $1,000
T = average annual total return
n = number of years (10)
Calculation: N/A
             N/A
             N/A
             N/A
             N/A
<PAGE>
   
               SCHEDULE FOR COMPUTATION OF PERFORMANCE QUOTATIONS
                       GT GLOBAL: DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND
                                CLASS ADV SHARES
    
 
   
    The  following is the  schedule for the  computation of the Non-Standardized
Return quotations for the Class Adv  Shares of the GT Global Developing  Markets
Fund Series of the Registrant.
    
 
   
                              STANDARDIZED RETURN
    
 
   
Time period covered: June 30, 1996 - June 30, 1997
    
   
Formula: P(1+T)to the power of n = ERV
    
   
P = initial investment ($1,000)
    
   
T = average annual total return
    
   
n = number of years (1)
    
   
ERV =ending redeeming value ($1,205.00, Class Adv shares have no sales charge)
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>           <C>           <C>  <C>
Calculation:  $1,000        =    1,205.00
              (T+1)(1)
              (T+1)(1)      =    (1,205.00/$1,000)
              T+1           =    (1,205.00/$1,000)(1)
              T             =    (1,205.00/$1,000)(1) - 1
              T             =    0.2050
</TABLE>
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
Time period covered: June 30, 1992 - June 30, 1997
    
   
Formula: P(1+T)to the power of n = ERV
    
   
P = initial investment ($1,000)
    
   
T = average annual total return
    
   
n = number of years (5)
    
   
Calculation:N/A
    
   
            N/A
    
   
            N/A
    
   
            N/A
    
   
            N/A
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
Time period covered: January 11, 1994 (commencement of operations) - June 30,
1997
    
   
Formula: P(1+T)to the power of n = VOA
    
   
P = initial investment ($1,000)
    
   
T = average annual total return
    
   
n = number of years (1,266/365 = 3.47)
    
   
VOA =ending value of account ($1,169.80, Class Adv shares have no sales charge)
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>           <C>           <C>  <C>
Calculation:  $1,000        =    1,169.80
              (T+1)(3.47)
              (T+1)(3.47)   =    (1,169.80/$1,000)
              T+1           =    (1,169.80/$1,000)(0.29)
              T             =    (1,169.80/$1,000)(0.29) - 1
              T             =    0.0463
</TABLE>
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
Time period covered: January 11, 1994 (commencement of operations) - June 30,
1997
    
   
Formula: T = (VOA/P)-1
    
   
P = initial investment ($1,000)
    
   
T = aggregate total return
    
   
VOA =ending value of account ($1,169.80, Class Adv shares have no sales charge)
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>           <C>           <C>  <C>
Calculation:  T             =    (1,169.80/$1,000)-1
              T             =    0.1698
</TABLE>
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
Time period covered: June 30, 1987 - June 30, 1997
    
   
Formula: P(1+T)to the power of n = ERV
    
   
P = $1,000
    
   
T = average annual total return
    
   
n = number of years (10)
    
   
Calculation:N/A
    
   
            N/A
    
   
            N/A
    
   
            N/A
    
   
            N/A
    

<PAGE>
                                                                   EXHIBIT 99.18
 
                          G.T. INVESTMENT FUNDS, INC.
                   MULTIPLE CLASS PLAN PURSUANT TO RULE 18f-3
 
    G.T.  Investment Funds, Inc.  ("Company") hereby adopts  this Multiple Class
Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
(the "1940 Act") on behalf of its  current operating series, GT Global Growth  &
Income  Fund  ("Growth  &  Income  Fund"),  GT  Global  Government  Income  Fund
("Government Income Fund"), GT Global High Income Fund ("High Income Fund"),  GT
Global  Strategic  Income Fund  ("Strategic  Income Fund"),  GT  Global Emerging
Markets Fund  ("Emerging Markets  Fund"), GT  Global Latin  America Growth  Fund
("Latin  America Growth  Fund"), GT Global  Consumer Products  and Services Fund
("Consumer Products  and  Services Fund"),  GT  Global Financial  Services  Fund
("Financial Services Fund"), GT Global Health Care Fund ("Health Care Fund"), GT
Global  Infrastructure Fund ("Infrastructure Fund"), GT Global Natural Resources
Fund   ("Natural   Resources   Fund"),   GT   Global   Telecommunications   Fund
("Telecommunications  Fund"),  GT  Global Developing  Markets  Fund ("Developing
Markets Fund")  and  any series  that  may  commence operations  in  the  future
(referred  to  hereinafter collectively  as the  "Funds"  and individually  as a
"Fund").
 
A.  GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASSES THAT ARE OFFERED
 
    1.  CLASS A  SHARES.  Class A  shares of each Fund  are sold to the  general
public  subject to an initial sales charge of 4.75% of the public offering price
for Class A shares of the Fund.  The initial sales charge is waived for  certain
eligible purchasers and reduced or waived for certain large volume purchases.
 
    Class  A shares of each Fund may pay a service fee at the annualized rate of
up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets for the Fund's Class A shares. Class
A shares of the High Income Fund, Government Income Fund, Strategic Income  Fund
and Growth & Income Fund may pay a distribution fee at the annualized rate of up
to 0.35% of the average daily net assets for the Fund's Class A shares, less any
amounts  paid by the respective Fund as  the aforementioned service fee. Class A
shares of  the  Emerging  Markets  Fund, Latin  America  Growth  Fund,  Consumer
Products   and  Services  Fund,  Financial  Services  Fund,  Health  Care  Fund,
Infrastructure Fund, Natural Resources Fund and Telecommunications Fund may  pay
a  distribution fee at the  annualized rate of up to  0.50% of the average daily
net assets  for  the  Fund's Class  A  shares,  less any  amounts  paid  by  the
respective  Fund as the aforementioned service  fee. Such fees are paid pursuant
to a plan of distribution adopted in  accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the  1940
Act.
 
    Class  A shares  of each  Fund are  subject to  a contingent  deferred sales
charge ("CDSC") on redemptions of shares: (i) purchased without an initial sales
charge due to a sales charge waiver for purchases of $500,000 or more, and  (ii)
redeemed within one year after the date of purchase. Purchases of Class A shares
of  two or more GT Global Mutual Funds (other than GT Global Dollar Fund) may be
combined for this purpose. The Class A CDSC  is equal to 1% of the lower of  (i)
the  original purchase price, or  (ii) the net asset value  of the shares at the
time of redemption.
 
    Class A shares that are redeemed will not be subject to a CDSC to the extent
that the value of such shares represents: (i) reinvestment of dividends or other
distributions, or (ii)  Class A  shares redeemed one  year or  more after  their
purchase.  Class A shares  purchased in amounts  of at least  $500,000 without a
sales charge may be  exchanged for Class  A shares of  another GT Global  Mutual
Fund  (other  than GT  Global Dollar  Fund)  without the  imposition of  a CDSC,
although the CDSC will apply to the redemption of the shares acquired through an
exchange.
 
    2.  CLASS B  SHARES.  Class B  shares of each Fund  are sold to the  general
public without imposition of an initial sales charge; however, a CDSC is imposed
on certain redemptions of Class B shares. The maximum CDSC for Class B shares is
equal  to 5% of the lesser of the original purchase price or the net asset value
of the  shares  at the  time  of redemption.  The  CDSC is  waived  for  certain
exchanges and redemptions.
 
    Class B shares that are redeemed will not be subject to a CDSC to the extent
that  the  value of  such shares  represents: (i)  reinvestment of  dividends or
capital gains distributions, or (ii) shares  redeemed more than six years  after
their purchase.
<PAGE>
    Class  B shares are subject to a service fee at the annualized rate of up to
0.25% of the average daily net assets of  the Class B shares of each Fund and  a
distribution  fee at the annualized rate of up to 0.75% of the average daily net
assets of the Fund's Class  B shares. Such fees are  paid pursuant to a plan  of
distribution adopted in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
 
    3.   ADVISOR CLASS SHARES.  Advisor Class Shares are sold without imposition
of an  initial sales  charge or  CDSC  and are  not subject  to any  service  or
distribution fees.
 
    Advisor  Class  shares  of each  Fund  are  available for  purchase  by: (a)
trustees or other fiduciaries purchasing shares for employee benefit plans which
are sponsored by  organizations which  have at  least 1,000  employees; (b)  any
account  with  assets of  at least  $10,000  if (i)  a financial  planner, trust
company, bank trust department or  registered investment adviser has  investment
discretion  over such account, and  (ii) the account holder  pays such person as
compensation for its advice and other services  an annual fee of at least  0.50%
on the assets in the account; (c) any account with assets of at least $10,000 if
(i) such account is established under a "wrap fee" program, and (ii) the account
holder  pays the sponsor of such program an  annual fee of at least 0.50% on the
assets in the account; (d) accounts  advised by one of the companies  comprising
or  affiliated  with  Liechtenstein  Global  Trust;  (e)  any  of  the companies
comprising or affiliated with Liechtenstein  Global Trust. In addition,  Advisor
Class  shares  of  Consumer  Products  and  Services  Fund,  Health  Care  Fund,
Infrastructure Fund,  Natural Resources  Fund  and Telecommunications  Fund  are
available for purchase by GT Global New Dimension Fund.
 
B.  EXPENSE ALLOCATIONS OF EACH CLASS
 
    Certain expenses may be attributable to a particular Class of shares ("Class
Expenses").  Class  Expenses  are charged  directly  to  the net  assets  of the
particular Class and, thus,  are borne on  a pro rata  basis by the  outstanding
shares of that Class.
 
    In addition to the service and distribution fees described above, each Class
could also pay a different amount of the following other expenses:
 
    (1) transfer agent fees identified as being attributable to a specific Class
       of shares;
 
    (2) stationery, printing, postage and delivery expenses related to preparing
       and  distributing materials such as shareholder reports, prospectuses and
       proxy statements to current shareholders of a specific Class of shares;
 
    (3) Blue Sky registration fees incurred by a specific Class of shares;
 
    (4) SEC registration fees incurred by a specific Class of shares;
 
    (5) expenses of administrative personnel and services as required to support
       the shareholders of a specific Class of shares;
 
    (6) Directors' fees or expenses incurred as a result of issues relating to a
       specific Class of shares;
 
    (7) accounting expenses relating solely to specific Class of shares;
 
    (8) auditors' fees, litigation expenses and legal fees and expenses relating
       to a specific Class of shares; and
 
    (9) expenses incurred in connection  with shareholders meetings as a  result
       of issues relating to a specific Class of shares.
 
C.  EXCHANGE PRIVILEGES
 
    Class A shares of any Fund may be exchanged only for Class A shares of other
GT  Global Mutual Funds, as  listed in the Fund's  Prospectus. Class B shares of
any Fund may  be exchanged only  for Class B  shares of other  GT Global  Mutual
Funds,  as listed in the Fund's Prospectus. Advisor Class shares of any Fund may
be exchanged only for Advisor Class shares  of other GT Global Mutual Funds,  as
listed in the Fund's Prospectus.
 
    This  exchange privilege is available only  in those jurisdictions where the
sale of GT Global  Mutual Fund shares  to be acquired may  be legally made.  The
terms  of the exchange  privileges may be  modified at any  time, on sixty days'
prior written notice to shareholders.
<PAGE>
D.  ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
    The prospectus  for  each Fund  contains  additional information  about  the
Classes  and each Fund's  multiple class structure. This  Multiple Class Plan is
subject to the terms of the then current prospectus for the applicable  Classes;
provided, however, that none of the terms set forth in any such prospectus shall
be inconsistent with the terms of the Classes contained in this Plan.
 
E.  DATE OF EFFECTIVENESS
 
    This  Multiple Class Plan will become  effective on November 3, 1997. Before
any material amendment of this Multiple Class Plan, a majority of the  Directors
of  the Company, and a majority of  the Directors who are not interested persons
of the Company, shall find that the  plan as proposed to be adopted or  amended,
including  the  expense  allocation, is  in  the  best interests  of  each class
individually and the Company as a whole.


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