Aberdeen Standard launches sustainable Asian fund

Edinburgh-based investment giant Aberdeen Standard Investments (ASI) has launched a new Asian Sustainable Development Equity Fund.

Aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), it will invest in Asian companies that aim to deliver an attractive return while making a positive contribution to society.

Aberdeen Standard said the Luxembourg-domiciled Aberdeen Standard SICAV I – Asian Sustainable Development Equity Fund will invest in a portfolio of 30-60 “high-conviction” stocks, focusing on Asian markets that present strong growth potential and “where there are significant opportunities to identify and allocate capital to the unmet needs highlighted by UN SDGs.”

The UN’s 17 SDGs came into force in 2016, designed to help address some of the world’s biggest environmental and societal challenges, such as poverty, inequality and climate change.

The fund will be managed by Aberdeen Standard’s 50-strong Asia Pacific Equities team which has a track record of investing in Asia since the 1980s.

Aberdeen Standard Investments is a global asset manager with over 1,000 investment professionals and £456 billion of assets worldwide.

David Smith, Aberdeen Standard’s Head of Corporate Governance – Asia Pacific, said: “While some progress has been made towards achieving the UN’s SDG’s by 2030, people in many Asian countries are still not benefiting from growth and progress and are increasingly vulnerable to economic, social and environmental risks.

“By investing in companies based or operating in Asia Pacific economies, which are strongly aligned to the UN’s SDGs, this new fund seeks to deliver both attractive return for our clients and a positive societal impact – where it matters most.”

Flavia Cheong, Aberdeen Standard’s Head of Asia Pacific Equities, said: “ESG has been part of our investment DNA for almost three decades.

“As responsible investors, we believe that supporting the SDGs creates tangible opportunities for Asian companies to contribute positively to society and the environment, while enhancing the long-term financial value of their businesses.”

The fund has initially been registered for sale in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.