China-ASEAN Investment Cooperation Fund

The China-ASEAN Investment Cooperation Fund, also knowns as the China Asean Fund or CAF, is a USD-denominated offshore multilateral cooperation fund majority owned by financial institutions of the Government of the People's Republic of China. It invests throughout Southeast Asia, which the fund defines as including China.[1][2][3][4]

China-ASEAN Investment Cooperation Fund (CAF)
Native name
中国-东盟投资合作基金
IndustryPrivate equity
Founded2010
Area served
ASEAN and China
Key people
Li Wen, Chief Executive Officer; Song Siyuan, Chief Operating Officer
Websitehttp://www.china-asean-fund.com

Purpose

The Fund is part of the Chinese strategy to deepen cooperation between China and ASEAN, Chinese Premiere Li Keqiang reiterated on September 9. 2013.[5] In the speech, the premiere said, "China will activate a new round of special loans, make good use of the China-ASEAN Investment Cooperation Fund, and actively explore with other parties the creation of a financing platform for infrastructure development in Asia to fund major projects."[6] China hopes to gain influence in ASEAN through the fund.[7]

Fundraising

The establishment of the fund was announced in 2009 by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and it began operations in 2010.[8] Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping sees the fund as a way for the Chinese government to provide financial support to ASEAN.[9] The fund, which is sponsored by the Export-Import Bank of China, among other institutional investors, became the first Southeast Asia-focused private equity fund approved by China's State Council and the National Development and Reform Commission.[10] The Export-Import Bank of China is the "anchor sponsor" with a "seed investment" of US$300 million.[11] Three other Chinese institutions were "cornerstone investors", investing a combined US$500 million.[11] The sovereign wealth fund, the China Investment Corporation, "jointly founded" the fund along with the Export-Import Bank, according to the China Economic Review, quoting The Wall Street Journal.[12] The International Finance Corporation of the World Bank invested US$100 million and became another "cornerstone investor."[11] The Export-Import Bank owns 52% of the management company while the China Investment Corporation owns 24%.[12]

The fund seeks ultimately to raise US$10 billion to invest in ASEAN countries.[10][13] It has raised US$1 billion, of which US$400 million was invested in four companies in Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines and Thailand.[10]

Investments
2GO Group Inc.'s logo

The fund targets investment opportunities in infrastructure, energy and natural resources in the ASEAN countries.

Philippines

Its maiden investment was in the Philippines when it helped Negros Navigation buy out Aboitiz Transport Services owners of SuperFerry.[14] Through an equity infusion, it took control of the former Negros Navigation and purchased the Aboitiz Transport System for US$105 million.[15] The Aboitiz Transport System had been formed by first the break up of WG&A SuperFerry into SuperFerry and Carlos A. Gothong Lines and then the merging of SuperFerry with Cebu Ferries and SuperCat fast ferries into the Aboitiz Transport System.[15] Negros Navigation was subsequently rebranded the 2GO Group and is the Philippines largest ferry and domestic freight company.[16]

References
  1. "Chinese firm to become top Philippine ferry operator". ABS-CBN News. December 5, 2010. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  2. "Yingru Li Leaves China Investment Corp". PEHub. June 21, 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  3. "CIC, ExIm Seed Asia-Focused Fund". The Wall Street Journal. September 15, 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  4. Xinhua News Agency (2009-10-21). "China-ASEAN Fund to kick off soon". China View. Archived from the original on November 17, 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013. As the first China-ASEAN fund under government direction and operates in accordance with market rules, the Fund will...
  5. "Premier Li Keqiang Raises Five Proposals on Further Strengthening China-ASEAN Cooperation". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China. 9 September 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  6. Li, Keqiang (3 September 2013). "Bring the China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership of Long-term Friendship and Mutually Beneficial Cooperation to a New High". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  7. "Singapore still top Asean investment pick for big four economies - US, China, Japan and India: Report". The Straits Times. The Straits Times. 15 September 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  8. "About". China-ASEAN Investment Cooperation Fund Official Website. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  9. Xinhua News Service (September 21, 2012). "China's Xi: China-ASEAN cooperation sees growing gains". People's Daily. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  10. Chan, Cathy (December 1, 2011). "China-ASEAN Investment Fund Plans To Deploy $500M In 2012". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  11. "China-ASEAN Fund on Investment Cooperation:Summary of Proposed Investment". IFC Official Website. International Finance Corporation, part of the World Bank. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  12. "CIC and Exim Bank form $1bn Asia private equity fund". China Economic Review. September 16, 2010. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  13. Romann, Alfred (2012-08-21). "Investment attention turning to ASEAN". China Daily. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  14. "CAF Makes Maiden Investment". Official Website. China ASEAN Cooperation Fund. 28 December 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  15. Cacho, Katlene O. (December 1, 2010). "Aboitiz sells transport unit". Sun Star Cebu. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  16. "Company Profile". Official Website. 2GO Group. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
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