In an exclusive interview with MicroCapital, Marilou van Golstein Brouwers, Managing Director of Triodos Investment Management B.V., revealed that the firm will be launching a new private investor microfinance fund for the Belgian and Spanish markets in the first quarter of 2008.
The fund, which will be domiciled in Luxembourg, will be similar to the Triodos Fair Share Fund, which is marketed to Triodos’ national customers in the Netherlands. The Triodos Fair Share Fund is valued at EUR 32 Million and currently has 2,400 investors.
Ms van Golstein Brouwers said, “there is increasing interest in Europe amongst investors wanting to be involved in this sector. People want their money to be invested in sectors that contribute to a sustainable world. Our clients like the fact they get involved in international development.”
However, microfinance funds are not eligible for passports in Europe, so a great deal of regulatory work is required to be able to sell a product in a particular country, even if it is already being marketed successfully in another part of the continent. In Ms van Golstein Brouwers opinion this additional work has prevented more private investor funds in Europe being launched and encouraged fund managers to focus more on developing vehicles for institutional investors.
Amy Rennison, MicroCapital writer
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