Together with Gatehouse Bank, SAM has broadened even further its range of international investment strategies. Gatehouse Bank is specialized in Islamic finance and banking and in 2008 was named the Best New Islamic Bank by Islamic Finance News. This new collaborative Islamic finance water strategy affords investors with a long-term time horizon the opportunity to gain a financial interest in sustainability-oriented companies that offer technologies, products and services throughout the entire value chain of water processing and transportation.

Within the framework of this collaborative effort, Gatehouse Bank will bring its know-how and expertise to bear in the Shariah screening of the companies in the fund by its Shariah Advisory Board, while SAM will attend to the asset management aspects of the strategy. SAM’s more than 14 years of experience in the management of sustainability investments – in particular, also since 2001 in the area of water – and Gatehouse Bank’s extensive know-how in terms of Shariah screening and a world-wide network of Shariah-compliant investors form the basis for a successful joint venture.

The world-wide market for water is characterized by its above-average growth potential. Global developments – such as population growth, investments in the renewal of water-resource infrastructure, the strategic need for potable water, as well as efficient water management – will represent significant growth drivers in the years ahead.

Sander van Eijkern, CEO of SAM: "By joining forces with Gatehouse Bank, we have at our side a very competent and highly reputable partner for the launch of the world’s first Islamic finance water strategy - a strategy that affords long-term oriented investors attractive, Shariahcompliant opportunities in the areas of water. This partnership enables us to gain access to the promising segment of Islamic finance, which is expected to grow substantially in the years ahead. Internationally, SAM is ideally positioned to participate in this up-and-coming field and thereby further expand its overall market share."

David Testa, CEO of Gatehouse Bank: "We are pleased to have found an innovative partner – SAM – who offers incomparable specialized know-how and experience in the area of sustainability investments. Thanks to our own expertise in Islamic finance, together we can offer investors a tailor-made Shariah-compliant strategy for investments in the sustainable water sector."