A very well attended event, hosted by one of our members, HSBC, who provided an excellent venue. Teresa Au, Head of Corporate Sustainability, Asia Pacific Region, opened the event.  She welcomed everyone and noted that HSBC was very glad to have the opportunity to host this event, as investment in water infrastructure was becoming increasingly critical to the sustainable development of China and HSBC was increasingly focused on this sector. 

Wai-Shin Chan, Executive Director of ASrIA, introduced the speaker and also stressed the challenges and opportunities presented to investors by this sector.

Dieter Küffer provided a valuable overview of water related issues in China.  Dieter outlined the wide ranging challenges presented by water use and pollution in China, and explained how SAM spread their investments across the whole water value chain, from the collection, recycling and distribution of water, to the cleaning and disposal of waste-water.  He detailed the investment challenge at each stage of the water value chain, and explained how SAM identified opportunities for their water fund at each stage.   The presentation was followed by an active Q&A after which everyone enjoyed a valuable and relaxed networking session over refreshments provided by HSBC.

Dieter Küffer, who is the Senior Portfolio Manager for SAM Sustainable Asset Management AG, is responsible for managing SAM’s water strategy.   ASrIA member, SAM Sustainable Asset Management AG has been active in the field of sustainable investments since 1995. Today, they are one of the world's leading institutions in this sector and manage over USD 10bn.  Their clientele includes Sovereign Wealth Funds, banks, insurance companies, pension funds, endowments, family offices and UHNWIs.  SAM offer a comprehensive range of theme-related products in the area of Water, Smart energy, Climate and New Materials.

Sincere thanks to HSBC for their support of the event, and to Dieter Küffer of SAM for the well received presentation.