Mohammed Al Fardan Group Announces Joint Venture with Sustainable Wealth and Asia Plantation Capital in Bahrain

Agarwood, or Oud as it is commonly known in the Middle East, is an important fabric of society and of major cultural and historic significance to all Arabic families. Used daily as raw wood chips for burning, pure oils as fragrance or mixed with other ingredients to create amazing fragrances. In recent years Oud has also become established as a major luxury product in both Western and Chinese societies, leading to a massive increase in demand which in turn led to illegal logging on a grand scale; the Aquilaria tree species being almost wiped out in the wild. Since 2004 CITES have given Agarwood full protection, with the harvest of wild agarwood trees being made illegal and supporting CITES licences required to trade Agarwood and Oud internationally.

In response to the shortages Asia Plantation Capital has pioneered and developed over many years an organic and sustainable plantation model which not only helps safeguard future supplies of this wonder of nature; but also produces exceptional quality pure oud oils and woodchips.

Mohammed Al Fardan mentioned "It is a unique commercial opportunity the team at Asia Plantation Capital and Sustainable Wealth have developed, which not only provides solid financial returns, but also helps to preserve an incredibly important natural product for the Arabic cultures and wider international markets. It is a joy to be involved in such a rewarding and sustainable project which has such major significance to Arabic culture."

Asia Plantation Capital has already diversified into the essential oil and fine fragrance business, positioning themselves to be the major player in this specialist market with the added benefit of a unique full production and supply chain; from 'soil to oil'. One of the companies founded by Asia Plantation Capital, Fragrance Du Bois, has fast developed into a leading specialist Oud based fragrance house and caught the attention of some major players in the International Luxury Fragrance and Jewellery industry; even being showcased at the recent Jewellery Arabia exhibition in Bahrain under the patronage of HRH Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The new investment company Sustainable Wealth (Middle East) LLC will be operational immediately. The two business groups also hope to announce soon a major distribution agreement between the Mohamed Al Fardan Group and Du Bois LLC Dubai to help distribute across the Gulf fine fragrances, oud jewellery and limited edition pure oud oils as produced exclusively from sustainable plantations managed by Asia Plantation Capital.

Asia Plantation Capital Pte. Ltd. 50 Collyer Quay, #06-05 OUE Bayfront, Singapore 049321
Tel: +65 6222 3386 | Fax: +65 6221 2197 | Email: [email protected]

Notes to Editors:

About Asia Plantation Capital

Asia Plantation Capital is an owner and operator of a diverse range of commercial plantation and farming businesses across the Asia-Pacific region, and globally, part of the Asia Plantation Capital Group of associated companies. Their focus is on multicultural and diverse plantation projects geared to the domestic and commercial demands of the countries in which they operate. 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, Mozambique, The Gambia, North America and Europe.

Promoting the use of certified wood is the best way of preventing deforestation, protecting biodiversity and combatting poverty in the tropical rainforest regions. For the yachting sector, 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.