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Hello Awesome Agents!
This message marks the end of the first quarter, 2022. As usual, things have been extremely busy for everyone at Plantations International. We appreciate everybody’s support and hard work. With all our new products and services coming online there’s no doubt that 2022 will be a record-breaking year for everyone!
In this edition, we will discuss:
- Sustainable Agroforestry Securitisation Fund – Citibank Europe in Luxembourg will act as the clearing and custodial bank
- Geneva, Switzerland Office Opening Soon
- Sustainalytics – Why Green Bonds?
- Golf Tournament – 13 May Bangkok
- Suphan Buri Update – New agarwood saplings arrived and the irrigation system
- MICCI –Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- FAMA – Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority
- Thailand Open for Tourists – Return to TEST & GO – 1-day quarantine (5-day unvaccinated)
- Sales Training – 11 Sales Training Basics Beginners MUST Master
- Thailand Culture Corner – Songkran, Thailand’s New Years national holiday, relaunching after 2 years
“There is no other community as connected as those in agriculture.” – RYAN GOODMAN
Sustainable Agroforestry Securitisation Fund
We are pleased to announce the finalization of our Musang King Durian Bond, via our Sustainable Agroforestry Securitisation Fund.
The clearing and custodial bank for the offering will be Citibank Europe plc. The offering is available in Euro, USD, and CHF. Citibank Europe has registered offices in the Republic of Ireland and England with one branch at Citigroup Centre, London, Canary Wharf, and the other in Dublin.
Click Here to download the marketing term sheet.
Geneva, Switzerland Office Opening Soon
We are pleased to announce that Plantations International SA has located the office in Geneva, Switzerland to be used for commercial and agent-related affairs in Switzerland and Europe. We are concluding the administrative steps and will move in next month, open to the public. Expect an invitation to the first apéro soon.
“The best treatment a crop can have is the shadow of the [person] who owns it.” – DENNIS LINDBERG
Sustainalytics
Sustainalytics comb through our systems, processes, and certifications to ensure everything about how Plantations International operates is how it is shown in the Framework document which enables Sustainalytics to give an opinion on whether our bonds are green. They then issue a statement to this effect. Once green, our bonds will be listed on the green exchange in Luxembourg.
What is the point of a green bond?
Green bonds raise funds for new and existing projects which deliver environmental benefits, and a more sustainable economy. Green bonds were created to fund projects that have positive environmental and/or climate benefits. The majority of the green bonds issued are green “use of proceeds” or asset-linked bonds.
Proceeds from these bonds are earmarked for green projects but Plantations International’s bonds differ from the normal bonds in that we issue asset-backed bonds. Our Durian or Mango trees are inserted into the bonds and act as the asset “backing” the bond. This is a form of security for all investors.
Issuers are continuously under pressure from investors and the market to ensure their bond framework is aligned well past the issuance process. With their Annual Review service, Sustainalytics works with issuers post-issuance to ensure that the projects financed and the reporting are aligned with the intended use of proceeds and commitments set out in the bond framework.
Golf Tournament, 13th May 2022 in Bangkok, Thailand
Plantations International sees this Charity Golf Tournament as a great way to partner up with local events businesses in Thailand and give back to the community. The event will take place at the Vintage Golf Club on Friday, 13th May 2022. Hospitality and Service Industry professionals from Bangkok and Phuket will come together at the award-winning golf course. The atmosphere will be fun yet competitive, with teams battling for bragging rights as the best hospitality golfers in the region.
“Agriculture is a universal language.” – BRIELLE WRIGHT
Suphan Buri Update
We have 16.000 new agarwood saplings that have arrived on site. We will keep them all in the nursery until some time in May to make sure they are healthy and have climatised to Supanburri conditions before putting them in the ground.
MICCI
The Plantations International Group of Companies is very pleased to announce that its Malaysian subsidiary United Tropical Fruit Sdn. Bhd has been inducted into the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI). The was founded in 1837 and engages with state and federal governments to continue to ensure the development and implementation of robust regulatory frameworks, which are conducive to healthy, ethical, and transparent business environments for Malaysia’s leading businesses.
United Tropical Fruit Sdn. Bhd currently has Malaysia’s first and only commercial-scale Organic Musang King Durian plantation which is located on a 100-acre site in the Malaysian State of Pahang and has recently received a USD 440,000,000 revenue valuation from Mazars, one of the worlds leading auditing and accounting firms.
FAMA
We are pleased to announce that we have been invited to join the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) .
FAMA was established under Act 141 as a marketing agency under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry. FAMA is responsible for the marketing of agro-food products such as vegetables, fruits, and floriculture as well as agro-based industry products.
In order to drive the domestic and international marketing sectors, FAMA plays a role in expanding the market size of agro-food products and increasing producer incomes. FAMA also plays a role in ensuring that agricultural and food industry products are available and obtainable at affordable prices for consumers.
“One of the best things about being a farmer is being able to make your way of life the way you make your living.” – JENNI TILTON-FLOOD
Thailand Open for Tourists
Updates as of March 22, 2022
Thailand Pass system is currently open and accepting new applications for the Test and Go, Sandbox, and Quarantine entry programs. For up-to-date information and weekly updates regarding current Thailand travel restrictions, please visit the Weekly Updates page here.
- Starting April 1, 2022, the pre-departure RT PCR COVID Test will no longer be required for all travelers to Thailand.
- New Video showing you how to apply for the Thai Pass
Step-by-Step Thailand Pass Application Youtube Video - Join our Facebook Group to ask questions and read the latest developments: https://www.facebook.com/groups/howtoenterthailand
- How to Book your Test and Go Hotel through Agoda.
- On April 1, 2022 the mandatory quarantine for the non-vaccinated stay will be reduced to 5 nights.
“I was born to be a farmer. It is what I know and what I love.” – MARLA RAE ANDERS
Sales Training – 11 Sales Training Basics Beginners MUST Master
“The farmer has to be an optimist or he wouldn’t still be a farmer.” – WILL ROGERS
Thai Culture Corner – Songkran is the Thai New Year’s national holiday
Songkran is the Thai New Year’s national holiday. Songkran is on 13 April every year, but the holiday period extends from 14 to 15 April. In 2018 the Thai cabinet extended the festival nationwide to five days, 12–16 April, to enable citizens to travel home for the holiday. Celebrations are famous for the public water fights framed as ritual cleansing. During the past 2 years, it has been canceled due to Covid.
