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Timber Investment

In the current property and financial climate, sustainable forestry projects offer a low-risk investment opportunity with additional environmental benefits. The Princess project is the only timber investment to offer guaranteed returns* payable in just 5 short years.

The Princess Tree, officially known as Paulownia, is recognized as the fastest growing hardwood in the world. The timber it produces is durable and strong, lightweight and fire resistant. Unlike other Tropical timbers, the demand for Paulownia is not being met by abundance of plantations and, as a carbon reducing facility; it absorbs more CO2 than any other Tropical plantation tree. The world market price, supply and demand, speed of growth and quick return on investment make Paulownia an ideal commercial plantation tree. Moreover, a buyer for the timber has already been found with an insured purchase guarantee in place, ensuring your investment return is completely guaranteed.

Private investors are invited to join in this project by purchasing individual plots of land providing net returns of 13.7% per annum over a total investment period of twenty years (applicable to investments made before the 1st January 2010). Not just an exceptional financial investment, buyers can enjoy a variety of tax breaks, assurance of security and enjoy the environmental benefits and community initiatives facilitated by the project.

Key points

• Low investment amount from just 35,000 US$ per unit*
• Gross return of 145,200 US$ over 20 years*
• Guaranteed returns of 13.7% p.a. for 20 years*
• Returns paid every 5 years
• Tax advantages
• SIPP qualified
• CO2 climate change mitigation
• Benefits to local communities
• Land held in trust
• Timber buyer with insured guarantee

*Based on introductory purchase price of 35,000 USD applicable to all purchases made before 30.06.2010, please see “guaranteed returns” section for details and definitions.

Investment returns

• The investor will receive 660 trees per hectare of land purchased
• A lease will be registered in his/her name for 21 years, which will produce 4 timber harvests
• A purchase price of USD 275 per m3 of timber is guaranteed by World Paulownia LLC, if the investor wishes to take this option
• A 5-year old Paulownia tree produces at least 0.2m3 of processed wood
• The total m3 produced per plot over the 4 harvests is 528 m3
• Based on a 35,000 USD investment (available until Jul 2010), this will provide a return of USD 145,200 per plot
• The harvesting, processing and transportation will be carried out by a management company of your choice (unless you wish to organise it yourself) which is likely to charge 10% of the value of your timber sales
• This produces a net return of 13.7% per annum over 20 years, after the initial investment amount has been deducted

Community projects

In order to qualify for high quality Carbon offset credits, our project has to deliver a wide array of socioeconomic benefits. The Princess Project is designed according to the CCB Standard with emphasis on reducing poverty in developing countries.

Aside from the community projects regularly organized by Silva Tree such as the sponsorship of local schools and providing research opportunities to educational institutions, the Princess Project itself will benefit local communities. Local staff will be employed to work the land belonging to Silva Tree, and farmers will be invited to interplant crops on the project land. This will give people the opportunity to grow food for themselves and their families, or sell their produce to generate an income for themselves.