APC Global Business Development director Gary Crates says the group has considerable expertise in utilising land to generate food, bio-energy and niche crops, whilst adding to local incomes and creating sustainable jobs. "With population growing rapidly across Africa, and generally good relations between East African nations and countries in the Middle East, we see an excellent opportunity for combining APC expertise in agro-forestry with capital flows from the Middle East and Asia and the burgeoning consumer market here in Africa."
Plantation Capital Kenya is already looking at opportunities in wheat and coffee, but is keen to explore a wide range of other agri projects as well as agro-forestry opportunities (cypress, pines and eucalyptus) in Kenya and neighbouring countries. The senior management of the group see the new Nairobi office as a strategic development for their organisation.
"Internally we have been planning this development for over one year," Crates says. "The agri-business is all about long-term thinking and strategy; it is about nurturing the land, building relationships, developing markets and coping with natural events. Our success comes from our passion, expertise and commercial flair, and we are proud to have a direct presence in East Africa now."
