INFINITY GROUP PARTNERS WITH COFCO TO ESTABLISH BEIJING ECO- VALLEY

INFINITY GROUP PARTNERS WITH COFCO TO ESTABLISH BEIJING ECO- VALLEY

   
 

Infinity Group, a cross-border, private equity platform and its partner the LR Group, announced in May that is has committed to taking part in building and financing the new Beijing Eco-Valley Project, the first Sino-Israeli ‘smart’ agricultural city.

The project is a joint initiative between Infinity Group, food industry giant COFCO Group, and the city of Beijing, with the support of the Israeli government.

COFCO is one out of five top Chinese brands worldwide. Infinity and the LR Group will participate in an investment in Eco-Valley and its agricultural project in excess of RMB 1 billion out of a planned RMB 10 billion for the long term. The total size of Eco-Valley will be 11.2 sq. kilometres.

The announcement was made at a signing ceremony in Beijing, attended by the Ambassador to China from Israel, Matan Velnai, Chairman of the Board of COFCO Group, Ning Gaoning, Vice Chairman of COFCO Group, Zhou Zheng, Managing Partner of Infinity Group, Amir Gal-Or and the District Mayor of Fangshan, Beijing, Qi Hong.

According to the agreement, COFCO plans to use agri-tech and resources provided by Infinity’s network of technology and know-how to improve food quality.

Infinity and LR will also provide a professional team for Eco-Valley’s agricultural operation.

Project features are to include high-end agricultural production, high-tech demonstrations, an ecological landscape, agriculture tourism, resort hotels, as well as commercial and residential properties.

Ambassador Velnai said, “This model of cooperation is a symbol of China-Israel cooperation in the area of technology, agriculture and innovation. Many companies are expected to take part in such a dream.”

Amir Gal-Or, Founder and Managing Partner of Infinity Group said, “Since 2003, Infinity Group has trail-blazed the area of Chinese-Israeli technology and innovation cooperation. Though others have followed, it is Infinity Group that has always led the way in terms of vision and implementation of new concepts and entities like the IP Bank.”

“Today we are very pleased to announce our most recent initiative, the ‘smart agricultural city’, intended to take innovation cooperation to the next level. We are also extremely proud that the first smart agricultural city, of hopefully many to come, is built on the foundation of a strong partnership with industry leader COFCO. 20% ownership in the Eco-Valley project is an attractive investment,” Gal-Or concluded.

Jewish Times Asia (Issue June 2013)