Dr Tang on a visit to the company’s plantation in Sabah.

18/03/2016 (The Star) - With global demand for palm oil continuing to rise over time in tandem with the increase in human population, investing in the industry is an attractive proposition.

As Malaysia is one of the largest palm oil producers and exporters in the world, interested parties do not have to look far for investment opportunities.

Just visit the East West One Groups (EWOG) booth at the upcoming Star Property Fair 2016 in Sunway Carnival Mall on the Penang mainland from March 24 to 27.

The group is the country’s leading and largest oil palm plantation-based interest scheme operator with almost 30,000 acres of land bank in Sabah.

Of these, 15,725 acres come under its East West One Planters Scheme and are managed by member company East West One Consortium Bhd whose planters blocks have been fully subscribed.

The remaining 11,670 acres are under the East West Horizon Planters Scheme (EWHPS), managed by East West Horizon Plantation Bhd, and are currently available for public subscription.

The EWHPS offers high fixed contractual returns of up to 88% over an investment duration of eight years, with fixed annual contractual returns paid quarterly and invested capital fully repaid upon maturity.

There are four investment categories, namely Diamond (capital: RM180,000 per block, average annual return: 11%) and Emerald (capital: RM120,000 per block, average annual return: 10.5%).

There are also Ruby (capital: RM60,000 per block, average annual return: 10%) and Sapphire (capital: RM20,000 per block, average annual return: 9.5%).

EWOG founder Datuk Dr Jessie Tang said the Malaysian oil palm industry produces a strategic crop with versatile uses in both food and non-food industries.

Sabah is a location of choice for plantations due to favourable agronomic factors and weather conditions which ensure consistently higher yields and oil extraction rates.

The soil along with amounts of rainfall and sun are near-perfect and unrivalled in most other parts of the world.

Crops have, over the years, proven to be highly favourable and profitable, noted Dr Tang.

Other plus points include the state being a consistent, top-tier fresh fruit bunches producer based on statistics published by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board.

It also has a strong and established plantation culture in terms of management, labour and support services which are vital in ensuring the success of the industry, added Dr Tang, who started her career as a medical doctor.

She has since swapped her medical coat for a power suit, transitioning into a successful entrepreneur in the oil palm industry and building significant value for the group and its stakeholders.

Her natural inclination towards the plantation industry stems from her childhood experiences when she spent much time helping her grandfather with various chores in his rubber estate.

To find out more about the EWHPS, visit the EWOG booth S10 during the fair which is open daily from 10am to 10pm.