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Specialised market and financial analysis services in great demand across Asia Pacific
20-Sep-2007
BMT Transport Solutions deliver consulting services to support investors in major acquisitions of infrastructure projects
Singapore, 12 September 2007 - BMT Group has announced that its BMT Transport Solutions division has expanded its portfolio to include market and financial analysis services. This new service is in support of companies looking to invest in ports, transportation, logistics and other infrastructure assets.
According to David Wignall, Head of Ports and Logistics for BMT Group, "the market for advisory services is growing rapidly with demand generated from investment and financial advisors and fund managers looking to realise maximum returns on sound, long-term investments. Especially in Asia, where the rate of growth is outpacing available infrastructure, such services are even more critical."
The majority of the investments globally centre on operational infrastructure including ports, logistics and container terminals. In Asia especially, these investments are developing rapidly with industry estimates noting exponential growth in North-east Asia alone. Assessing the returns and maximising profits becomes more critical when these large scale investments reflect a value that is delivered over anywhere from 10 to 30 years.
Exponential growth in global ports and logistics infrastructure
Reports identify China, the world's sixth largest economy with a Gross National Income of USD 1.2 trillion, driving the bulk of ports, logistics and transportation infrastructure development in North-east Asia. It is estimated by Hong Kong-based analysts and industry watchers that China's total container throughput will grow from 76.54million TEUs (Twenty Feet Equivalent Unit) to 130million by 2010, a 12.3 percent cargo growth over the next 5 years (2006 to 2010).
With eight total China based ports listed in the top 30 ports of the world , turnover in logistics is expected to grow from USD6 trillion in 2005 to USD11 trillion in 2010 .
According to a United Nations, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific report, despite massive port construction projects in North-east Asia, the existing infrastructure is unable to keep pace with increases in maritime traffic. Faced with such serious problems, countries in North-east Asia have implemented new approaches to port development and management, which include deregulation, improvement of foreign direct investment and private sector involvement in ports .
Commented Wignall, "We endorse the professional view that investments in excess of USD50 billion in spending over this period will require a significant increase in professional knowledge to ensure the viability of long term investments."
"While the China and the North-east Asia markets represent the greatest potential returns for infrastructure projects in the next decade, identifying and managing opportunities for long term and sustained returns will make or break many investment strategies", he added.
BMT Transport Solutions, a part of BMT in Ports and Logistics, has a long track record of supporting the optimisation of existing port and transport infrastructure and developing new infrastructure to meet market demand. It is now offering investors this unparalleled expertise as critical services that enable investors to identify good investments, de-risk acquisitions and optimise the performance of owned assets.
"There is a high demand in the Asian region for investments in infrastructure projects during the next decade and BMT is here to provide professional knowledge to ensure the viability of these long term investments," said David Wignall, Head of Ports and Logistics for BMT Group.
Expanding into Asia
In view of the opportunities in Asia, and as part of its ongoing expansion BMT has appointed Simon Su as its new Chief Economist in Asia. Based in Hong Kong with a strong working knowledge of North-east Asia, Simon Su is well known in the consultancy market in the region providing specialised services including investment due diligence, market intelligence, financial analysis and risk assessment.
Hong Kong's proximity and track record as a world class port, logistics and transportation centre also adds to the value that Simon Su will bring to clients and partners looking to invest in Asia.
According to Wignall, "Simon's track record speaks for itself and we are delighted to have him on board. He will be responsible for driving the business in North-east Asia, working with clients and partners in extending long term, strategic value in their infrastructure projects."