Asia Plantation Capital’s Expansion Strategy Widens to Include Indonesia

April 9, 2012 - PRLog -- This happens to be coincidental ahead of APC expansion of plantations with new projects into Indonesia in Riau State, as part of its impact investment programme developing projects that not only provide solid commercial returns but invest in developing the economies of local communities as a wider project aspect. As part of this plantation project expansion in Indonesia APC will be working with local State Government to secure land rights, and provide training and employment to the local community and a sharing of proprietary technologies for agarwood production developed in Thailand over the last 10 years which can be expanded across Indonesia, the largest economy in Asia.

Michael A. Young, CFA, Fund Advisor, Asia Plantation Capital:-

“The sustainable management of forestry and agricultural assets is ideally suited to meet the needs of ethical investors and conform to the highest standards of Shariah investing. We believe we are highly competent in plantation management and project finance. By attending the IFN Forum we hope to grow our relationship with existing local partners, establish new contacts and deepen our understanding and appreciation of Shariah law and its application within the plantation investment industry”.

The growth of the economy in Indonesia over the last decade and its proximity to major Asia consumer markets and shipping links opening it up globally make it one of Asia’s most exciting investment destinations at present, with strong growth prospects for medium to long term projects. The expansion by APC will be funded from its own injection of seed capital supported by major Islamic Banks to provide a Sharia Compliant investment structure, which APC believes will be one of the first in the Islamic Finance world to focus on sustainable commercial plantation projects.

Dr Alex Mond, Director of Islamic Finance at Malibu Capital:-

“ The importance of Islamic Finance in the wider investment world is now considered to be of major significance with every major International Bank offering Sharia and Sukuk investment options within their wider portfolio. The commercial plantation projects in Indonesia will be a first in achieving the root principles of Sharia finance in developing sustainable projects which not only provide solid financial returns but have a major impact on the lives of the communities and economy around the plantations, creating a new community based economy”.

Notes to Editors:-

About Asia Plantation Capital

Established officially in 2008, although operating privately since 2002, Asia Plantation Capital is the owner and operator of a diverse range of commercial plantation and farming businesses across the Asia-Pacific region and globally as part of the Plantation Capital Group of associated companies. We work closely with local communities providing employment and plantation management training. We are committed to establishing and managing new and sustainable forestry assets that can meet the insatiable demand for forestry products and also relieve the deforestation pressures on native stocks.

Asia Plantation Capital believes that corporate social responsibility plays a key part in today’s investment decisions. Our mission is to become the benchmark in providing commercially viable and sustainable forestry investments whilst positively contributing to local communities and the environment. Current plantations owned or under management are valued at in excess of USD $250m, and forecast to reach $750 million by 2015.

About IFN

The growth potential for Indonesia's Islamic finance industry is enormous, and coupled with a steadily growing economy, financial reforms and stricter anti-corruption laws; the republic is set to stake its claim as a financial powerhouse in Asia. With support from the Indonesian government, financial regulators and the central bank, Indonesia is poised to become the next hub for Islamic finance in Asia and on a global scale.

In light of these developments, REDmoney Group will host the first Islamic Finance news Indonesia Forum 2012 on the 16th and 17th April at the Hotel Mulia Senayan in Jakarta. The two-day event will feature an Issuers Day, Investors Day, and Takaful and re-Takaful Day and see the movers and shakers of the Islamic finance industry gather to discuss the most current and relevant issues within the Indonesian Islamic financial markets. Covering all sectors from retail to capital markets, the IFN Indonesia Forum aims to highlight key developments in tax and regulations, investment opportunities in Indonesia, liquidity and corporate governance, as well as the growth potential for Takaful in Indonesia's thriving retail banking sector.

Supported by Bank Indonesia and the Ministry of Finance, the inaugural IFN Indonesia Forum will feature speakers representing all sectors within the Islamic finance industry; from government officials to global heads of banks and financial institutions. Amongst those who will be speaking at the IFN Indonesia 2012 Forum include: Dahlan Siamat - Director Islamic Financing Policy, Ministry of Finance Indonesia, Edy Setiadi - Director of Islamic Banking, Bank Indonesia, Yudha Pratama - President Director, PT Jaya Proteksi Takaful, Albert Wiseman Paterson - President Director, PT Sun Life Financial Indonesia, Neil Miller- Global Head Islamic finance, KPMG Dubai and Riawan Amin- Chairman, Indonesian Islamic Banking Association.

With 547 delegates already confirmed, it is still not too late to be part of this fully-interactive event covering the most pertinent topics in Indonesia's Islamic finance landscape.

http://www.redmoneyevents.com/2012/2012_IFNforum_INA.asp