Malaysian assets

Until relatively recently, the Group owned six small oil-palm estates in Peninsular Malaysia, totalling around 3,750 hectares which possessed, in varying degrees, property- development potential. In line with the Group's strategy, five of these estates have now been sold for a total of approximately US$80 million with another US$30 million received in dividends and loan repayments from the 40%-owned Bertam Properties Sdn. Berhad.  These primarily derive from property sales.

Bertam Properties Sdn. Berhad owns the remainder of the old Bertam Estate (470 hectares) which is currently being developed into housing, industrial and leisure facilities.

The unsold portion of Malaysian assets and investments stands at an estimated US$45 million.