RubberPlant Africa, an event supported by the Ministry of Food & Agriculture (MOFA), Republic of Ghana is set to open on 04-05 September in Accra.

Top most on the conference agenda is a Keynote Address by Hon. Yaw Effah-Baafi, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Food & Agriculture, Ghana; followed by a talk from Hon. Dr. Florence Chenoweth, Minister, Ministry of Agriculture of Liberia.

Among the industry leaders attending are Ghana Rubber Estates Limited, Sime Darby, Bridgestone Technical Centre Europe, Olam International, Greenyield Berhad, Agriflora PLC, Corrie MacColl & Son Limited plus delegates representing the following industry:

To participate in this event, one may REGISTER here today, or contact Ms. Hafizah via email hafizah@cmtsp.com.sg for assistance.

To support its first biomass energy project in Africa, Takoradi Renewable Energy Limited, a subsidiary of biomass producer and trader Africa Renewables (“AfriRen”), has received a credit facility of US$5million from Standard Chartered Bank in Ghana. The US$5million is to be split between two components. A capital expenditure loan of US$3million will be used to develop the land near the port of Takoradi into a factory workshop and a storage space for woodchips. The remaining US$2million will be spent on operational expenses. Sonia Medina, Chief Operating Officer at AfriRen said, “Standard Chartered has the credibility, reach and reputation we want. They are the leading bank in West Africa. Most importantly, they have been extremely enthusiastic about our project and future plans from day-one. The credit facility gives us a firm foundation while allowing us the freedom to expand quickly elsewhere in West Africa.” It was also reported that US$8million will be invested by AfriRen in its biomass extraction chain in Ghana.

To benefit from the increase in Europe’s biomass demand, it plans to seek funding of up to US$30million to facilitate the replication of the project across the West African region. AfriRen harvests redundant rubber trees that are cut, and processes them into woodchips.

Managing Director, Organization and Client Coverage, Standard Chartered Ghana, Ahmad Pirzada said, “AfriRen approached us with a robust business plan and an enthusiasm for sustainability and growth. This is a perfect fit with our sustainable finance approach and the opportunities presented by renewable energy. These will certainly enable us to continue to build a sustainable business, simultaneously creating value for our shareholders, supporting our customers and contributing to the communities in which we live and work.”

In reference to above, Founder and Managing Director of Africa Renewables Ltd., Mr. Jean-Francois Guillon is slated to deliver a session entitled “From Trees to Woodchips: Biomass Opportunities for Rubber Farms” at RubberPlant Africa in Accra, to be held from 04-05 September. To be a part of this conference, Register here. Forward other enquiries to Ms. Hafizah at hafizah@cmtsp.com.sg

Click here to read complete article.

With the surge of interest lately in African rubber plantations, Ghana is certain of sizeable export of rubber by 2020, and bringing in almost US$250 million, thus increasing the country’s foreign-exchange revenue. France, Turkey, East Africa, South Korea and Burkina Faso receive nearly 95% of Ghana’s rubber produce. Mr. Joseph Baidoo-Williams, Head of the Perennial Crops Development Unit at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), said in an interview, “The rubber sector is doing fairly well due to the ready market for the raw material, coupled with government's support for the farmers. Government has identified the rubber sector as holding tremendous potential to create jobs and reduce poverty and as such is giving it the necessary support to enable it contribute to the development of the economy.”

He also pointed out, “Recent trends in world prices suggest that rubber production when properly nurtured could easily become a major foreign exchange earner for the country.” He foresees the planting of 10,500 hectares of rubber trees between 2010 and 2014.

From 1,200 hectares of rubber plantations in 1995, the country has advanced to 35,000 hectares under cultivation, expecting an output of 63,000 tonnes of the crop. A fact to note is that the rubber plant has a lifespan of 35 years.

In light of the growing demand for natural rubber in the past decade, RubberPlant Africa held from 04-05 September 2012 in Accra aims at delivering a comprehensive view of the potential in Africa’s rubber production, management and investment. On Day 2 of the conference, Hon. Yaw Effah-Baafi, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Food & Agriculture, Ghana will deliver a Keynote Address on ‘Investment Opportunities in Palm Oil & Rubber Plantations in Ghana’.

For further details, contact Ms. Hafizah at hafizah@cmtsp.com.sg or Register here and reserve seats to attend the event.

Read complete article here.

In December 2011, Nigeria-based Bakrie Delano signed a memorandum of understanding with the Nigerian government stating a $1 billion investment commitment in Nigeria over the next five years. Bakrie Delano is a joint venture of Bakrie Group and British-Nigerian businessman Ladi Delano. Delano said that he picked the Bakrie Group due to its experience as a diversified business group. The company plans to channel half of it towards crude palm oil and rubber plantations, said its chief executive in Jakarta.

Seng Hoo Ong, a director at Bakrie Delano pointed out that the company would also acquire plantation companies in Nigeria, which already produces vast amounts of palm oil and rubber. He also said that some of the $500 million investment would be allocated to buy land. Delano further revealed that the company would also invest in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria.

A former president of Nigeria, Olesogun Obasanjo, said during his recent visit to Indonesia, that he supported the plan, as the country is one of the biggest crude oil producers in the world. “Nigeria now is the second biggest country [in Africa] in terms of gross domestic product.” He also remarked that both Nigeria and Indonesia had great economic prospects in the years to come.

According to Delano, the Bakrie Group’s investment in Nigeria would also open up other investment opportunities in Africa.

The RubberPlant Africa conference to be held in Accra on 04-05 September will thoroughly explore policies and incentives for rubber cultivation in Malawi, Cameroon, Nigeria and Gabon, as well as examine financing challenges and investment risk aversion among other important aspects of rubber plantations in Africa. The event will be officiated with a Keynote Address by Honourable Deputy Minister from MOFA, Republic of Ghana. For further information on the conference, contact Ms. Hafizah at hafizah@cmtsp.com.sg or Pre-Register here and reserve seats to attend the event.

Article extracted from thejakartaglobe.com

Olam International plans to make an investment of US$183 million towards Gabon, Africa, to develop 28,000 hectares of rubber plantations. Olam International said in a statement that the company will partner the government of the Republic of Gabon in a joint venture company with Olam holding 80% and the remaining 20%held by Gabon.

Planting is scheduled to begin by 2013 and completed by 2019. The average yield is targeted between 2 and 2.2 tonnes of dry rubber. Olam said that the rubber products are to be exported worldwide to tyre and rubber goods industries. "The largest part of the profit pool in the rubber value chain (about 75 per cent) is domiciled in upstream plantations," said Olam's senior vice president and head of rubber, Ashish Govil.

The company also stated that the project is expected to achieve an earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of about US$155 million to US$160 million at a steady state, an equity internal rate of return (IRR) of 23 per cent, and a steady state return-on-equity (ROE) of 94 per cent.

Evidently, there is a growing interest in the industry and prospects in Africa. For that reason, more about the investment opportunities, as well as strategies on operation and management of rubber farms in Africa will be explored in depth at CMT’s first RubberPlant Africa conference to be held in Accra on 04-05 September. The conference agenda is currently being finalized and will be available shortly. Meanwhile, one can contact Ms Hafizah at hafizah@cmtsp.com.sg for queries or Pre-Register to reserve places.

Read complete article here.