Africa Plantation Capital Directors Visit APC Group Annual Meeting in Bangkok, Strengthening Global Collaboration
Bangkok, Thailand – October 30, 2017 – Africa Plantation Capital (APC Kenya) Directors recently visited Bangkok to attend the highly anticipated APC Group Annual General Meeting (AGM), held on October 21 at the Intercontinental Hotel. The AGM, which brought together more than 400 stakeholders including plantation owners and investors, highlighted the company’s global commitment to sustainable plantation management and climate-resilient agriculture.
During their stay, the Kenyan delegation had the opportunity to visit key APC Group facilities, including its renowned agarwood and bamboo plantations, processing facilities, and distilleries. These tours provided the team with valuable insights into APC’s innovative production processes, and they were able to engage directly with operational staff at the facilities. The visit also included strategic meetings at APC Group’s Bangkok head office, where the Kenyan directors Kelvin Sila Kaloki and Kosta Kioleoglou met with the company’s leadership, including Gary Crates, Barry Rawlinson, Dean Henry, Jinda Tonkhambai, Steven Watts, and Robin Jewer. In a dedicated session, the Kenyan delegation discussed APC’s future growth strategy in Kenya, exploring best practices and sustainable solutions to drive rapid and sustainable expansion in the region.
At the AGM, APC Group CEO Barry Rawlinson opened the session with a keynote address on the increasing impact of climate change on the agricultural sector. He highlighted APC’s efforts to implement sustainable practices and acknowledged the hard work of staff across the company in tackling these global challenges.
In recognition of their contributions, two key African directors were honored during the meeting. Konstantinos Kioleoglou, CEO of APC Kenya, received the prestigious ‘Asia Plantation Capital Global Innovation Award 2017’ for his visionary leadership and innovation in the industry. Additionally, Kelvin Kaloki Sila, Business Development Director of APC Kenya, was awarded the ‘Asia Plantation Capital Global Leadership Award 2017’ for his role in driving growth and development across Africa.
In October 2017, during their visit to the APC Group’s Annual General Meeting in Bangkok, Africa Plantation Capital (APC Kenya) directors Kelvin Kaloki Sila and Rose Kamau had the opportunity to visit the newly opened Fragrance Du Bois retail boutique, located in the heart of Bangkok. This flagship store, a luxury addition to the APC Group’s portfolio, showcases the group’s growing influence in the global fragrance and luxury goods industry.
Fragrance Du Bois is renowned for its exclusive, bespoke fragrances made from sustainable, pure oud oil, produced from agarwood trees grown and harvested on Asia Plantation Capital’s plantations. The boutique is a symbol of the group’s commitment to eco-luxury, blending environmental consciousness with high-end, artisanal craftsmanship. The store, designed to provide a serene and opulent experience, reflects the core values of the brand—luxury with a conscience.
For Sila and Kamau, the visit to the boutique was more than just a retail experience; it was an opportunity to witness firsthand the end-to-end process of APC’s sustainable operations. The agarwood used in the fragrances sold at Fragrance Du Boisis grown, harvested, and distilled by APC, offering a unique insight into how plantation products can successfully transition from the farm to the luxury market.
Kelvin Kaloki Sila, Business Development Director of APC Kenya, expressed admiration for the boutique’s elegance and the quality of the products on display. “Visiting Fragrance Du Bois has given us a deeper understanding of how our sustainable practices in Kenya align with the global luxury market,” Sila remarked. “Seeing how the products from our plantations can evolve into such sophisticated, world-class goods is truly inspiring.”
Rose Kamau, a key figure in APC Kenya’s operations, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the synergy between ethical farming and luxury branding. “The boutique perfectly exemplifies how sustainable business models can still cater to a high-end clientele without compromising on quality or environmental responsibility.”
The boutique features a wide array of fragrances, each crafted with the finest oud oil, carefully distilled using traditional methods. The directors were particularly intrigued by the fragrances’ journey—from seed to scent. As part of their visit, they had the chance to learn about the meticulous process of creating oud oil, which is one of the most valuable and sought-after ingredients in the fragrance world. They also observed the boutique’s customer engagement strategies, which combine education about sustainable sourcing with personalized service to create a unique shopping experience.
The visit to the Fragrance Du Bois boutique allowed the APC Kenya directors to gain valuable insights into how Africa’s plantation products could be integrated into the luxury retail space. With Kenya playing a key role in APC’s expansion strategy in Africa, the visit highlighted the potential for scaling up local operations to tap into the high-value global fragrance market.
As APC Kenya continues its work in sustainable plantation management, this visit to Fragrance Du Bois serves as a testament to the global opportunities that can emerge from ethical, climate-resilient agriculture. The boutique not only exemplifies the APC Group’s commitment to sustainability but also represents the future of eco-conscious luxury. For Sila and Kamau, the experience reaffirmed their dedication to driving Africa’s role in the expanding world of sustainable, luxury products.
The Kenyan delegation’s visit solidified the ongoing collaboration between Africa Plantation Capital and the wider APC Group. It underscored the company’s commitment to fostering global partnerships, enhancing sustainable agricultural practices, and driving growth across continents.
For more information on APC Group and its global operations, please visit www.asiaplantationcapital.com.
About Africa Plantation Capital
Africa Plantation Capital is a leading player in sustainable plantation management across Africa, focusing on the cultivation of high-value crops such as agarwood and bamboo. The company is part of the global Asia Plantation Capital Group, which operates a diverse portfolio of plantations and sustainable agricultural projects worldwide.
THE ANNUAL MEETING 2017 VIDEO
PHOTOS OF THE KENYAN TEAM DURING THE FIVE DAYS VISIT FOR THE ANNUAL APC GROUP MEETING BANGKOK OCT 2017