Asia Capital Hybrid Fund launched

Asia Wealth Management Company (Pvt) Ltd, a fully owned subsidiary of Asia Capital PLC today announced the launch of the Asia Capital Sri Lanka Hybrid Fund in partnership with CD One Limited of Japan, whereby CD One would set up this fund to promote investments into Sri Lanka. Asia Wealth Management, which has been appointed the managers of this pool of funds, is a boutique investment advisory unit under the Asia Capital Group.

Under the agreement a sum of Rs. 1.5 billion will be collected from Japanese corporates and high net worth individuals based on an information memorandum prepared by Asia Wealth Management covering the spheres of private equity, listed equity and fixed income. Hence the fund would be invested into the Colombo Stock Exchange, potential private equity projects, treasury bills, bonds and corporate bonds.

In his address Toshiaki Tanaka, CEO, V's Capital said, "The Japanese public has realized the enormous potential for investment in Sri Lanka and is very eager to invest. Sri Lanka, with its attractive interest rates and warm and friendly people, is exactly the kind of market we are looking for as it mirrors so many of the traits we look for in business partners. We are very excited about the future and look forward to working closely with Asia Wealth Management with whom we have an excellent working relationship."

Speaking about the partnership Saminda Weerasinghe, Director, Asia Wealth Management said, "We are very pleased to have tied up with CD One Limited who will be bringing in much money and development to Sri Lanka. We are proud to play a part in this development process which will see a large infusion of capital coming into Sri Lanka. Interest rates are very high at the moment making this the best time to invest into private equity projects and listed equity due to the attractive valuations. We have been working very closely with Japanese investors for almost a year and it has been a most fruitful partnership."

Providing integrated capital markets and advisory services, Asia Wealth offers innovative solutions, across a wide range of products including capital raisings, restructurings, project finance, structured finance, and tailored strategic and financial advice. The company's most important role however is to exploit synergies between the other three core holdings of the Group.