Alternative Outlook

Analysts at Forestry Research Associates (FRA) claim that the people of Vietnam, and especially those employed in the rattan producing sector, will reap the benefits of a new WWF fund, sponsored by IKEA.

Forty interest groups have been established in the central provinces of Thua Thien Hue and Quang Nam to preserve rattan as part of the five-year World Wildlife Fund (WWF) “Sustainable Rattan Project”.

After three years of operation, a 400sq.m rattan nursery garden, consisting of more than 100,000 seedlings, has been successfully developed…

A new report claiming that social impact investing could become a major mainstream market has received backing from Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

The analysis group is a major advocate of ethically and socially responsible investing and has welcomed the publication of ‘Making Good in Social Impact Investment: Opportunities in an Emerging Asset Class’ report. The report, which was sponsored by TheCityUK and commissioned by The Social Investment Business, claims that the UK could be a leader in the market.

AAA said it was particular…

A recent article on the advantages of investing in forestry, published in Farming Magazine and in the Irish Independent newspaper, has been welcomed by Forestry Research Associates (FRA).

The analysis and research consultancy said it backs this positive view of forestry as an investment option. The article explained that direct investment in forested land – either through a company that runs plantations or through buying and planting up an area of land independently, is a good way to develop a generous pension fund for the future.

The a…

As the demand ethical, socially responsible investments continues to increase, GreenWorld BVI has responded by bringing a carbon credits investment offering to the retail market.

GreenWorld BVI’s carbon credit investment focuses on a 50,000 hectare project in the West African nation of Sierra Leone, and is directly connected to the Gola rainforest (www.golarainforest.org), an internationally recognized area of bio-diversity and the largest lowland closed canopy rainforest remaining in Sierra Leone.

The minimum investment in the pr…

In its latest newsletter, forestry investment firm Greenwood Management ApS has taken it upon itself to encourage those investing in forestry to access a copy of the latest ABRAF report.

The report, produced by ‘Associação Brasileira de Produtores de Florestas Plantadas’, or the ‘Brazilian Association of Planted Forestry Producers’, includes everything investors need to know about the market. Greenwood adds that some of the content may be irrelevant to investors, but almost everyone interested in the alternative investment mar…

Investors in UK commercial forests have learnt this week that returns exceeded other major markets, such as commercial property, over the past year, explained Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

The alternative investment analysis organization said that the increased returns were great news for the international demand for alternatives – proving that ethical investments can also be lucrative ones.

The IPD UK Forestry Index shows that returns for 2010 reached 20 per cent, which is the highest rate since 2007. Strong demand was behin…

Greenwood Management, the forestry investment company that focuses on Latin America, is picking Costa Rica for its next expansion phase. The company will join a growing number of multinational businesses that have been turning their attention to Costa Rica as a place to invest and start or expand businesses.

As well as being one of the most beautiful and unspoilt countries in Central America, Costa Rica is a hotbed for investors looking to put their money into an economy that is set for growth.

The country’s strong and stable eco…

Growing global demand for wood fibre will help boost returns for forestry investors in the coming years, claims alternative investment analysis group, AAA (Alternative Asset Analysis).

A new report from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) shows that demand for wood fibre is set to grow significantly in years to come. At the same time, PwC claims that paper mills may become defunct as the demand for paper reduces over the coming decade thanks to emerging technologies and less need for paper in the workplace.

“The news that wood fibre dem”…

Forestry investment and plantation management firm Greenwood Management has announced that it is to begin planting a new species in its Brazilian plantations, in the form of White Pine – a timber that is popular as a specialty wood for use in the furniture industry.

Greenwood’s forestry management experts have decided upon White Pine as it is an extremely durable timber, which can be processed in a timber mill up to a year after being cut down. This makes it ideal for exportation, which is a major growth area for Greenwood.

G…

Greenwood Management has announced it is introducing a new product to its range of timbers grown in Brazilian plantations.

The firm will soon be growing a new species of timber to add to those already included in its forestry investments product range, which includes the Eucalyptus, the Black Wattle (Acacia) and Guanandi species.

The new species is semi-matured to matured Teak trees, all to be grown on plantations. Teak timber, well known for its strong grains and texture, is often used in the carpentry trade and the manufacture of f…