SINGAPORE, Feb. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Asia Plantation Capital has been changing the face of alternative investments for both institutional and retail investors, by providing managed forestry, agricultural, and plantation services for more than a decade. After the financial crisis of 2008 and the current fall in oil prices, investors are looking increasingly into alternative funds that are stable, and yet provide high returns.
Forestry investments have recently seen an uptick in interest from pension funds, private equity investments, insurance companies and retail investors, due to the long term horizons which actually help weather economic crises better than short term investments. Compared to equities, bonds and real estate, returns in forestry class assets are impacted by an entirely different set of market and economic factors. As such, it makes this asset class an ideal alternative investment for investors looking to diversify their portfolios in order to protect themselves from market fluctuations.
"Market news and factors can cause stock prices to plummet," said Mr. John Berry - Business Development Director, Asia Plantation Capital - at the recent Global Investment Expert Asia 2015 forum. "But it cannot stop a tree from growing. Forestry as an asset serves as a very strong hedge against other investments as evidenced by its history of outstanding performance."
Mr Berry continued, "Cash flow characteristics of forestry investments are very much similar to those of fixed income bonds that investors have to invest in for a minimum period before the investment matures. In this case, when the trees mature, they are ready for harvest. With good consistent returns," Mr Berry concluded, "forestry assets' increased risk/reward characteristics lead to a more efficient, diversified portfolio."
The long term industry outlook for forestry and agricultural investment remains strong, as the global demand for forestry products continues, generally speaking, to exceed current supply. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization previously estimated that the world's consumption of wood and forestry related products would rise by more than 50% by the year 2030. Meanwhile, the current supply of timber and other forestry products from sustainable sources is still insufficient to meet demand. Taking this view into account, sustainable forestry will continue to be an attractive and strong performing investment opportunity for years to come.
Notes for Editors:
For further information, please contact:
Adrian Heng
Group Marketing Director
Email: adrian.heng@asiaplantationcapital.com
Office: +65-6222-3386
Mobile: +65-9750-7440
About Asia Plantation Capital
Quick facts:
Asia Plantation Capital (APC) is the owner and operator of a diverse range of commercial plantation and farming businesses across the Asia-Pacific region and around the world, and is part of the Asia Plantation Capital Group of associated companies. Its focus is on multicultural and diverse plantation projects geared to the domestic and commercial demands of the countries in which it operates. Working closely with, and supporting local communities, is an underlying core principle of the APC business, providing social and cultural support, as well as investment, to move these communities away from deforestation and illegal logging activities, previously seen as a main source of income in some regions of Asia. Established officially in 2008 (although operating privately since 2002) the group now has plantation and agricultural projects on four continents, with operational projects at various stages in Thailand, Malaysia, China, Laos, India, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Vietnam, North America and Europe.
Promoting the use of sustainable and certified wood is the best way of preventing deforestation, protecting biodiversity, and combatting poverty in the tropical rainforest regions. For the yachting sector (a major user of teak) which strives for excellence and which is already involved in environmental efforts, this is also a way of ensuring that no wood from illegal logging is used.
Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20150209/8521500747-a
Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20150209/8521500747-b
