It is encouraging to note the growth of the interest scheme sector at the encouragement of the Companies Commission of Malaysia.
Interest schemes governed under the Companies Act 1965, offers a unique alternative fundraising model. These schemes are especially suitable for start-up businesses that have adequate asset-securitisation that meets with the approval of the Companies Commission of Malaysia.
Our firm pioneered the design of the first-ever interest scheme in Malaysia and, still work closely with the Companies Commission of Malaysia on new applications and proposals and, also legal and regulatory issues that arise.
Below is the media report sourced from Business Times on another successful interest scheme application to be launched in the very near future:
GOLDEN Palm Growers Bhd (GPGB) will launch this month an oil palm investment scheme, called "Golden Palm Growers Scheme", with returns pegged to oil palm prices.
The scheme will offer the retail public a chance to invest in an oil palm plantation and enjoy the full upside potential that comes with rising palm oil prices.
"The scheme is unique because, for the first time, the man in the street will be able to share the profits of an oil palm plantation directly.
"Such an opportunity is usually reserved for large corporates that have the money to develop a plantation on such a scale," GPGB executive chairman Andrew Phang told a media briefing in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
GPGB has received regulatory approval from the Companies Commission of Malaysia for the scheme.
AmTrustee Bhd will act as a trustee for the scheme to enhance investor protection.
GPGB, set up in 2007, is a subsidiary of Sterling Plantations Sdn Bhd, which in turn is wholly owned by Sterling Biofuels International Ltd, a company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.
GPGB was set up to develop a 4,000ha oil palm plantation in Gua Musang, Kelantan.
The land is owned by an agency of the Kelantan state government.
In September 2007, GPGB was granted the concession to develop, manage and maintain the oil palm plantation for 60 years, with an option to renew for another 30 years.
"The planting under phase one, comprising 800ha, is 30 per cent completed, and the palms will start to produce fruits in 30 months.
"The entire plantation will be planted out over the next three years, with commercial yields in 2016," Phang said.
He expects the prices of commodities, including palm oil, to stay on the uptrend as income and population increase and supply falls short with the depletion in minerals and oil as well as limited agriculture land and the effects of climate change on crop production.
Phang said that palm oil prices, on average, had increased 7 per cent a year over the last 20 years, adding that the trend is expected to continue in the next 20 years.
