Leopard Cambodia Fund LP Invests in Engage Resources (Thailand) Co. Ltd.

Leopard Capital - Press Release | March 18, 2012

Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Leopard Capital LP announced today that Leopard Cambodia Fund LP has invested in Engage Resources (Thailand) Co. Ltd. (“Engage”), a producer and developer of kenaf-based products. Kenaf is a fibrous plant used in the animal feed, construction, and paper & pulp industries. Leopard Cambodia Fund’s investment provides growth capital required for Engage to continue its product development and to expand its operations from Thailand into Cambodia.  This growth capital injection will contribute to Engage’s product development, add value to its core business, and assist its regional expansion by drawing on Leopard’s local experience and networks.

Richard Intrator, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Leopard Cambodia Fund LP, commented: “We are pleased to invest in a fast-growing, pan-ASEAN agriculture business and help introduce a new high-yielding crop into Cambodia.  Engage’s management has taken a leading role in developing more efficient methods of producing kenaf in Southeast Asia.”

Robert Brodie, the CEO of Engage, added: “We welcome Leopard Capital as a funding partner to our Group. Leopard’s experience in developing projects and key networks across the region will prove valuable as we expand our operations into Cambodia.”

About Engage Resources (Thailand) Co. Ltd.

Engage Resources (Thailand) Co. Ltd. was founded in 2008 by its CEO, Robert Brodie. Over the past five years, Engage has focused on the development and commercialization of kenaf – a plant characterized by a short growing cycle, high protein content, and strong fiber. Kenaf has various commercial applications and demand for kenaf-based products continues to increase. The plant’s high protein and energy content make it an attractive animal feed ingredient.  Companies in the automotive and construction industries are now using kenaf fibers to enhance or replace more expensive synthetic materials. For the pulp & paper industry, kenaf is more environmentally-friendly than traditional wood pulp. Engage currently produces kenaf in Thailand with plans to expand its operations into Cambodia in the near future. The company has customers in South Korea, France, the United States, and Thailand.

About Leopard Cambodia Fund LP

Leopard Cambodia Fund LP was launched in April 2008 as the first private equity fund for Cambodia, and successfully raised over $34 million during the depths of the 2008-2009 global financial crisis. The Fund has since made 14 investments in Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos in the following sectors:  telecommunications (CamGSM), banking (ACLEDA Bank), microfinance (IPR), beer production (Kingdom Breweries), mineral water production (Kulara Water) municipal water (Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority), power transmission (Greenside Holdings), hydropower generation (EDL Genco), and agriculture (Engage). Leopard Cambodia Fund LP is managed by Leopard Capital LP which has a Representative Office in Phnom Penh.

About Leopard Capital LP

Leopard Capital LP manages investment funds in frontier markets.  It was founded in 2007 by Douglas Clayton as a partnership of financial professionals with decades of investment experience in emerging markets.  In addition to the Leopard Cambodia Fund, Leopard Capital LP also manages two other funds: Leopard Asia Frontier Fund (LAFF), a frontier public equities fund launched in May 2012, and Leopard Haiti Fund, a private equity fund backed by three international development banks. Leopard Capital LP is domiciled in the Cayman Islands and its subsidiary company is licensed and regulated by the Hong Kong Securities & Exchange Commission.

Contact

Mr. Douglas Clayton, Founder and Chief Executive Officer
c/o Leopard Capital Cambodia Ltd.
1748, National Road 5 / PO Box 1141 
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Tel: +855 23 723 050
Email: info@leopardcapital.com