Index Introduction what is commercial angustifolia bamboo why bamboo why why eco bamboolot eco bamboolot opens flooring factory yaerly harvest projections returns after fees purchase a bamboolot property on your private name or corporation the raul arana castellón grup bamboo plantation risks the founders

(505) 8933-1674 · [email protected] · www.ecobamboolot.com Bamboo is the fastest growing land in the world. Whereas a hardwood tree RARE opportunity to purchase a Deeded grows in the rain forests might take 35 years to grow to a harvestable size, a A Bamboo Lot in Central America bamboo culm (pole) can grow to a full height within 6 months.

- Yearly harvest revenues during 30+ years - A portion of the bamboo plant is harvested yearly. The life cyclus of a bamboo plantation is 30+ years. - No Land Lease or Bond - A 1/4 of a hectare bamboo lot can pro- - You will be 100% owner of the land. - duce every year around 500 commercial - Property Title: Freehold - culms or poles of 15+ meters (49 feet) - Hands free, passive income investment - With its exceptional green credentials and high productivity, bamboo is set to be- - 1/4 hectare (0,6 acre) lot, US$ 9.000 - come the sustainable timber source of the - Average ROI 26% per year - future. On top of its economic opportunity, bamboo is simply the best source of timber for the planet. It sequesters four times more carbon dioxide than other timber during a relatively short time United Nations: “The past 20 years, bamboo period. . (Yipping et al 2010) has developed as an exceptionally-valuable and often superior substitute for . Bamboo may replace wood in many industrial applications and thereby contribute to the saving and restoration of the world’s forests”

(505) 8933-1674 · [email protected] · www.ecobamboolot.com eter of 6 centimeters, they ap- lobal demand for certified timber is fast growing hat is commercial bamboo pear in year three if one year G W old are planted and can be harvested for the first time China is one of the biggest con- The EU’s ban on illegally sourced Each individual Guadua an- diameters and lengths than in year 4 because they don´t sumer and producer of bamboo timber which begins in 2013 will re- gustifolia bamboo plant form the previous ones. After 6 till need to mature as much as poles, the U.S is the biggest importer move about 30% of the existing a clump and is not a running 9 years the diameters and bamboo for construction uses. of bamboo products. The domestic market for timber supplies. This ever bamboo. On 1 hectare (2,47 lengths are stabilizes and all For construction and furniture demand for bamboo in China has growing trend toward sustainable acres) 400 clumps are plant- new poles witch appear from bamboo of 10 centimeter di- grown to such an extent that a timber combined with the specific ed. Each clump will produce the ground will have the same ameter is needed, can be har- moratorium on its export has been supply events on the horizon mean yearly an amount of culms diameter and length. The vested after year 5, but need proposed. Nicaragua has signed a that demand from the USA and EU for (poles) The diameter of a G an- commercial life cyclys of a to mature 4 years more, to get free trade agreement with the USA, certified, non-Chinese bamboo is set gustifolia pole is 10 till 16 cm clump is 30+ years. strength. It means that com- in other words USA importers of upon a steep trajectory. (4 till 6+ inches) in diameter Commercial G. angustifolia mercial bamboo for flooring bamboo products like flooring and and 18 till 22 metres (59 till 72 poles for bamboo flooring gives a harvest income in year furniture don’t pay import tax for By fortune increasingly stringent im- ft) in length, This size appears must have a minimum diam- 4 after planting and bamboo Nicaraguan products, leaving Chi- port laws will force developing coun- approximately 5-6 years after for construction after year 9. na behind as competitor. Also the tries to bring an end to illegal logging, planting, but only with a pro- transport costs from Nicaragua and the protection of natural forests fessional maintenance, good to the U.S are cheaper. From Chi- is improving, the price of timber from soil and climate conditions. na to the USA are 31 days boat sustainable sources will rise. Did you The annual pole production days, from Nicaragua to the U.S know that in Nicaragua is the biggest and yield projections in this just 3 days. rain forest North of the Amazon ? brochure are based on a har- vestable length of 15,2 metres (49 ft) maximum.

The most recent poles witch appears always have larger

(505) 8933-1674 · [email protected] · www.ecobamboolot.com bamboo Guadua angustifolia Bamboo The clump size of Guadua angustifolia is self limiting The bamboo specie we are using is Guadua, a of bamboo witch consists A single bamboo clump can produce 76 meter commercial poles per year. The of more than 30 species, including Guadua angustifolia and is native in many life cycle of a bamboo culm or plant is 40+ years. Small diameter culms will only Latin American countries and came from Panama to Nicaragua and is now fully occur in the first few years, after the 3-th year only large diameter culms emerge integrated in the country. from the soil. G. angustifolia is the most commercialized of the Guadua family because it is A 20 metre bamboo culm or pole can replace itself within 6 months as opposed to almost resistant against plages. A culm or pole will reach in 6 months his full a 20m hardwood tree which can take decades to grow. hight. The main purpose of the plantation is to cultivate commercial poles or culms, are a unique group of giant arborescent grasses in which the woody there for the spacing has be reduced significantly. Since most of the new shoots culms (poles) arise from underground rhizomes. They are shrubs and have tree- will be harvested, only a few shoots are left to grow into mature culms. A well like habit; their culms are erect and sometimes climbing. It is the fastest grow- maintained bamboo clump that is thinned down to about 16-24 culms of vari- ing plant on this planet. Bamboos are characterized by woody, mostly hollow ous ages will vigorously direct the plant’s energy towards the production of new culms with internodes and branches at the culms nodes. shoots.

Unless properly managed, clumping bamboos tend to become congested, resulting in deterioration both in quality and in quantity. It is difficult to extract bamboo from congested clumps. In a clump, new culms are normally produced outwards, towards the periphery of the clump and the older stems are left in the center. Harvesting of bamboo therefore should be from the center and not at the sides of the clumps. This makes it necessary to maintain clumps in the shape of a horse-shoe, keeping the apex towards the side where the new culms are progressing. The open end of the horse-shoe facilitates entry inside the clump for cutting of mature stems.

(505) 8933-1674 · [email protected] · www.ecobamboolot.com Why Bamboo ? Restoration of the world´s forest Increasing demand Over the past 20 years, bamboo has devel- The world market for bamboo is valued at US$ oped as an exceptionally valuable and often 10 Billion and is expected to reach about US$ superior substitute for wood. Bamboo may 20 Billion by 2015 (Ministry of Agriculture, In- replace wood in many industrial applications dia) and thereby contribute to the saving and res- toration of the world´s forests. (United Na- Innovative and High Tech tions) Since the early 1990s new industrial technol- ogies made it possible to produce high tech Fast growing bamboo products entering the world Bamboo is the fastest growing land plant in markets. The annual production of bamboo the world. After harvesting a hardwood tree flooring in China was 26 Million square me- needs 50 years to replace itself. In compari- ters in 2010, there are more than 1.000 regis- son, a 22 meter bamboo culm or pole can be tered bamboo products. replaced in just 6 months.

CO2 Bamboo consumers four times more CO2 than a normal tree and produces 38% more oxygen reducing the impact of environmen- tal pollution. Global supplies of timber are unsustainable. Bamboo is the solution.

(505) 8933-1674 · [email protected] · www.ecobamboolot.com Why Nicaragua ? Investor Protection Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA) Nicaragua: Best in investor protection. The Nicaragua has signed this Free Trade Agree- 2012 World Bank Doing Business Report ment with the United States, eliminating im- ranked Nicaragua as the country that best port duties. Non-Chinese bamboo products protects its investors in Central America. The are set upon a steep trajectory. Foreign Investors Promotion Law (law 344*) of- Politics fers foreign investors guaranteed 100 percent Nicaragua is a democratic country that has international ownership and freedom to repat- had 4 peaceful transfers of power in the last riate investments, profits and dividends. 20 years. According to many international Exceptional Tax Benefits publications there is no obstacle to stop Nica- The Law of Conservation and Sustainable De- ragua from becoming one of the top property velopment of the Forestry Sector (Law 462*) investment destinations in the world, and that provides different tax benefits, like exonera- is exactly what it is doing. tion of property taxes for plantations.

*Please ask us for the English version of this Laws.

(505) 8933-1674 · [email protected] · www.ecobamboolot.com Why Eco BambooLot Six decades experience at your service ROI 26% The two Founders of Eco Bam- Bamboo lot owners will receive harvest income starting at year booLot share more than 6 dec- four. The ROI is forecasted at 26% per annual year. The yearly har- ades experience in success- vest revenues can be paid into your designated bank account, any- ful Agro-Forest business and where in the world. wooden flooring production. Socially Responsible Business (SRB) Low entry level and low risk-to- For decades the company incorporate social reinvestment as a return ratio fundamental component and driving mission. All businesses and 1/4 Hectare (0,61 acre) lots initiatives under the Raúl Arana Castellón Group and Eco Bamboo planted with 100 one year old Lot names will originate from and give back to the surrounded bamboo culms for US$ 9.000 communities as a core focus. Eco BambooLot guarantees the sales of the bamboo poles Property Title for the common export market This is not a land lease program or bond. You will be the deeded price if you engage Eco Bam- owner of the land and the bamboo. Property Title: Freehold (free booLot Maintenance for the simple). management and maintenance Real wealth is based on real goods and assets. Wealth cannot grow of your lot. simply on paper. As time passes, bamboo grow, and their market- able timber volume increases also the land value will increase.

(505) 8933-1674 · [email protected] · www.ecobamboolot.com co BambooLot opens in 2013 a EBamboo Flooring and Factory

The many characteristics Lot owners will benefit be- products is currently ap- rials and biomass for alter- of bamboo make it an en- cause we guaranty to buy proximately US$ 7 billion native energy. This means during, versatile and highly the bamboo for the common per year. This amount is that the purchase a bamboo renewableeco resource.. factoryDue export price of poles. In the expected to grow nearly lot will be part of a rapidly to new developments in grow and mature. For floor- like the US and there for the past 4 years businesses 150% to US$ 17 billion/year growing market. (Name in- the industrial bamboo sec- ing 4 year old bamboo poles US is a key market. We have have been hit with one of by 2017. Much of the future stitute) tor, bamboo has more than can be used and has fine a strong network of buyers the worst economic down- uses for bamboo 1,500 documented uses, physics mechanics perfor- for processed bamboo prod- turns in decades, but bam- Will come from growing ranging from fuel wood to mance and flexural inten- ucts. Eco BambooLot opens boo processed products are commercial applications light bulbs, medicine, textile sity. this year a bamboo flooring still bestsellers. such as flooring, textile, and flooring. The export market for bam- factory. The factory will pro- The market for bamboo paper, house building mate- A bamboo pole for con- boo poles is small. The abil- duce bamboo products as struction needs 9 years to ity to achieve any (or a good) flooring, kitchens, furniture, particular price for the panels and more high tech bamboo depends on bamboo products. the production and The two EcoBambooLot export of processed Founders combine bamboo prod- unique experiences; 45 ucts. Nicaragua years forest agro culture has signed a Free and 18 years flooring man- Trade Contract ufacturing.

(505) 8933-1674 · [email protected] · www.ecobamboolot.com (505) 8933-1674 · [email protected] · www.ecobamboolot.com Yearly harvest projections have

Each clump (plant) will pro- plantation is to cultivate com- mature culms. A well main- duce more than 30 poles per mercial poles or culms, there tained bamboo clump that is year. However, our conserva- for the spacing in the clump thinned down to about 16-24 tive calculations are based to has to be reduced significant- culms of various ages will vig- harvest 5 mature poles per ly. Since 1/3 of the new shoots orously direct the plant’s en- plant per year only. will be harvested, only a few ergy towards the production The main purpose of the shoots are left to grow into of new shoots.

One clump or plant, can produce 30 or more culms (poles) per year. However the yearly harvest projections are based on a production of 10 new poles per plant per year. For the purpose of sustainability, it is assumed that only 5 mature poles are harvested each year. The final part of the assumption is that each culm (pole) produces 15,2 metres of harvest- able bamboo. However, Guadua bamboo can regularly be seen growing up to 25 meters hight with only the final few meters of growth narrowing in diameter. After 8 years the pole diameter is stabilizhed. In the calculations above till a diameter of 14 centimeters. Estimated is a diameter of 18 centimeters witch will generate higher har- vest revenues.

(505) 8933-1674 · [email protected] · www.ecobamboolot.com he above forecast yearly harvest projections have been pro- ducedT using the following common information and assumptions

· The lot owner has engaged · Export price for poles of 14 · Not calculated: The mainte- · No marketing and sales · Not calculated is as time sales prices for small quanti- for the maintenance manage- centimeter diameter is $1,10 nance fee and sales prices of costs and no risk of no sales passes, bamboo grow, and ties bamboo poles with a di- ment, harvest and sales a pro- per metre, the harvest projec- bamboo will increase during because our own factory will their marketable timber vol- ameter of 14 centimeters is fessional company. Lot own- tions figure above discounts the life cyclus of the plant. purchase the complete har- ume increases, also the land $1,60 per metre and the export ers are free to choose a local this rate further to $0,92 per vest against the common ex- value will increase. bulk prices $1,10 In our fore- company for the maintenance metre. port prices. cast harvest income we guar- or engage our maintenance · The local sales and also the anty a sales price of $0,92 per and management company · A bamboo lot is planted with export market for bamboo meter, witch is a conservative Eco Bamboo Lot Maintenance 1 year old bamboo plants. poles is small. The local whole calculation. for a fee of 26% of the harvest value. Please ask the special maintenance brochure.

(505) 8933-1674 · [email protected] · www.ecobamboolot.com Purchase a bamboolot Purchase a bamboo lot Reservation Procedure It is not necessary to be in The 35 hectares (86 acres) Prices: Make a choice about the lot Nicaragua to register your Bamboo Plantation “La Sor- 1/4 hectare (0,61 acre) size, and the dissision or you property. If you don’t expect presa” is the smallest plan- include 100 one year old bamboo plants US$ 9.000 want to buy the property on to be here on the day of reg- tation of the company, but 1/2 hectare (1,23 acre) your own name or on the name istering, you will need a Power our pearl. Located 5 miles include 200 one year old bamboo plants US$ 18.000 of a entity. We will sent you the of Attorney (POA) is in place from the Pacific Ocean, near 1 hectare (2,47 acre) signed purchase contract. which allows your representa- the sleeping fishing village include 400 one year old bamboo plants USS 36.000 Sign the purchase contract tive to sign on your behalf. A El Transito. The plantation Prices are include: and sent to us by e-mail and POA must be notarized by a contains 38% forest witch is 1% Land Transfere Tax, 0,5% Municipal Tax,1% make your payment. licensed Nicaraguan lawyer. A part of an ecological corridor, Title Registration Taxes, and 1% Lawyers Fee. representive can be any per- natural bamboo and a nursery. You are welcome to visit us for son, lawyer or our lawyer. The a few day’s, we offer a 5-day cost of a POA is $50 and we Management and Maintenance tour to Nicaragua to know us can help you with this item. You are free in choosen a company for the management and maintenance. In the case you en- better and see more of this gage Eco bambooLot Maintenance the first 4 years management and maintenance costs are amazing country. For more covered and from year 4 the maintenance and management of your lot for a 26% fee from the information about the tours annual sales of all bamboo from your lot. For more information see also our management and please visit our web-site. The maintenance brochure. procedure to register the lot Each individual lot owner will receive twice a year a report with information as the average diam- on your name or an entity will eter, height and grow rate, soil condition and pictures. take around 20 working days. Our interest will ensure the highest possible amount of commercial poles.

(505) 8933-1674 · [email protected] · www.ecobamboolot.com Property on your private name or corporation Property on your private corporation requires a mini- Management and Mainte- owner he health, measure- enter or leave the country, name or Corporation mum of two shareholders, f.e nance ments and pictures. and recognizes the foreign in- You can own property in your family or friends. We can help Eco BambooLot Maintenance The yearly harvest will be sold vestor’s right to own and use private name, but you also you to establishe a Sociadad company ( EBLM) is part of and the proceeds will be paid property without limitation. can own property in the name Anonima (s.a.) The total costs the Raúl Arana Castellón into your designated bank ac- of a Nicaraguan Corporation, are US$ 825 Group and has currently1.600 count, anywhere in the world. or in the name of a foreign hectares (3.952 acres) forest Corporation. Owning Nicara- Bank Accounts plantations under manage- Investing in Nicaragua has guan property in the name of Foreigners can open a bank ac- ment. EBLM offers Bamboo few restrictions a corporation will give you by count with a Nicaraguan bank lot owners a complete de- Nicaragua’s foreign invest- selling your property a lot of for checking or savings and in signed forest management, ment law establishes equal (tax) benefits. Owning in the either US dollars or local cur- maintenance and sales plan in treatment of foreign and name of a Nicaraguan corpo- rency. On request the bank will return for 26% of the harvest domestic investment, elimi- ration is common, however deliver also internet banking value. EBLM will report every nates restrictions on the way the creation of a Nicaraguan and a debet or credit card. quarter to each individual lot in which foreign capital can

(505) 8933-1674 · [email protected] · www.ecobamboolot.com And the World Takes Notice: What the Media Is Reporting “The ease of purchasing real estate, tax incen- “With 450 miles of coastline, charming Span- tives, low crime and a laid-back lifestyle on a ish colonial towns, a cost of living up to 60% gorgeous stretch of coast make it appealing” less than in the U.S. and a good reputation for The Los Angeles Times safety; it’s an exotic Florida on the cheap.” Over 40,000 Americans already are “turning Forbes Nicaragua into the latest retirement and invest- “Inexpensive beautiful land and a cost of liv- ment hotspot in Central America” ing at fraction of what it is in the US” Miami Herald Cristian Science Monitor “Nicaragua’s tourism industry is bullish for “Forward thinking investors can find some of good reason. The country’s beaches are the greatest deals on earth in this country” among the finest in the Americas, and among MSN Money the least developed. Dozens of volcanic peaks “From the top to bottom are beautiful beaches offer treks through rain forests teeming with that are only now being discovered.” a rich biodiversity. And large tracts of nature Lonely Planet reserves offer an eco-tourist wonderland.” “Cheap living, affordable waterfront housing The New York Times and pleasant weather are drawing many who wouldn,t be able to live in similar luxury in the United States.” National Public Radio

Nicaragua’s veil of anonymity is slowly but surely com- ing down. U.S. News & World Report rated Nicaragua one of the 10 best places to retire in the maga- zine’s most recent survey

(505) 8933-1674 · [email protected] · www.ecobamboolot.com The Raúl Arana Castellón Group

CEO and owner Carlos Raúl Eco BambooLot and Eco This unique combination of For decades the company in- Arana Castellón established BambooLot Maintenance are more than 6 decades Agro- corporate social reinvestment the company as a construc- part of the Raúl Arana C & Cia Forest business experience as a fundamental component tion company in 1965. This Ltd Group. and wooden flooring produc- and driving mission. All busi- part of the group is still very tion will benefit the Eco Bam- nesses and initiatives under successful. In November 2012 Since the early 1990´s new in- booLot owners. the Raúl Arana Castellón the company will start build- dustrial technologies made it Group and Eco BambooLot ing an eco resort development possible to produce high tech The company don´t sell names will originate from and with 1,2 mile beachfront on the bamboo products. The group bonds or land lease programs, give back to the surrounded Pacific coast. The group also is since four years involved in but only deeded bamboo lots, communities as a core focus. owns and manage 3.952 acres the development of innovative because it believes that real The company is driven by the agro and forest plantations on bamboo joinery techniques financial wealth is based on desire to create positive social different locations in Nicara- and is planning to open in real goods and assets. Finan- and environmental impact. gua. The company produces 2013 a bamboo flooring fac- cial wealth cannot grow sim- and supplies planting mate- tory. Co Founder Joannes C ply on paper. rials, provides international van Veen has 18 years experi- consultation on reforesting ence of owning and managing technology, eco agriculture a successful wooden flooring and plantation practice. factory.

(505) 8933-1674 · [email protected] · www.ecobamboolot.com Bamboo Plantation Risks Commercial Risks Bamboo plantations are sub- three the danger can come Drought Fire Sales of bamboo poles The figures in this brochure witch ject to injury by various kinds from wood boring insects. The Mature bamboo has an deep Nicaragua has a tropical cli- Lot owners who engage EBLM describes the forecast returns of herbivorous insects. There bamboo plants will be regu- root drip system, unique in mate. Relative humidity vary- for the management and main- are conservative. Bamboo is the are two different groups of risk larly treated with (if possible) the plant world. The poles ing between 65-90% The tenance, receive a minimum fastest growing land plant in the factors; organic pesticides. The Raúl store water inside their hol- high moisture content makes price guarantee for the bamboo world, it produces a far greater poles, based on the common volume of usable biomass than • Insect pest and disease Arana Castellón group has low canals for realease during forest fires unlikely. Bamoo is export price. The maintenance traditional timber. Thanks of the • Commercial risk developed the last 4 decades drought. The plantation has virtually fire reststant and on fee is 26% of the yearly harvest new processing technologies a sufficient pest and disease abundant water resources for the plantation are water tubes value. So it´s in the interest of this biomass replace many tra- Insect pest and disease program for Agro-forestry. easy irrigation. reaching every corner. EBLM to archive the highest pos- ditional timber products. In the first two years of growth Note: The natural bamboo on sible prices for the bamboo, and Not all the plants will survive the the danger comes from small our plantations is not treated Flooding Congestion a high quantity of quality com- first year. EBLM will replace dam- field mice and ants.Attack by at all and is not affected by The plantation has no history Congestion in bamboo culms mercial bamboo poles. aged plants for free. Volume pro- these insect reduces plant insect pest. G. angustifolia is of flood risk. The land has a is an often seen problem Beside this the company is plan- duction is underpinned by our vigour and the productivity of the most commercialized of gentle slope and good drain- caused by mismanagement. ning to open in 2013 a bamboo company stock. bamboo stands. From year the Guadua family because age. Bamboo is also highly Unrestricted cutting along the flooring and furniture factory. it is almost resistant against resilient to flooding. The natu- periphery of clumps, browsing EBLM has a large network for bamboo flooring buyers. plages. ral bamboo on our plantation of young shoots by cattle, re- grows on the riverbank and moving young shoots for food, Risk of reduced production survives yearly flooding. prevent living rhizomes from The company group has dec- spreading outwards. They ades experience in Agro- consequently develop within forestry. the clump, and new culms (poles) so produced create congestion.

(505) 8933-1674 · [email protected] · www.ecobamboolot.com Raúl Joannes Arana Castellón C van Veen Our Environmental and Social Commitment CEO and founder of the Raúl President and Co Founder Arana Castellón C & Cia Eco BambooLot, entrepreneur. The Raúl Arana Castellón Group is committed to being an indus- try leader by preserving the natural resources in Nicaragua. This initiative is part of our continued legacy of caring for people and roup, established in e was for 12 years own- G H the environment in which they live, work, study and play. Since 1965 as an construction er of a successful wooden company. Raúl is graduated flooring factory. The lack of the foundation in 1965 the company incorporate social reinvest- in the US as Civil Engineer. certified wood motivated ment as a fundamental component and driving mission. As owner of 3.952 acres him to sell his factory. He Did you know ? (1.599 hecatares) of farm moved in 2003 to Central Nicaragua has the largest expanse of rain forest north of the land and forest he managed America Amazon basin also successful his agro– His growing interest for bam- 100 bamboo clumps removes 9,5 tons of carbon dioxide and forestry business. boo and starting a bamboo He was founder and for flooring factory brought him could offset a family of three carbon footprint. many years President of the to Nicaragua. In his opinion A bamboo plantation is labor intensive and create employ- Chamber of Tourism Central the time is over to produce or ment within poor areas. America. In the 80’s he de- buying wooden floors made Bamboo has some exceptional qualities such as a higher ten- veloped interest in environ- from not certified wood, sile strength than steel yet able to be used in ultra-soft clothing. mental issues and planted bamboo is a better alterna- Bamboo has more than 5.000 uses; it can be used as a sub- thousands of native trees on tive. Bamboo flooring is a stitute traditional timber in virtually any product at a lower cost. his plantations and farms. quality product that can be A Clump is the bamboo plant and a culm is the bamboo pole. Commercial bamboo plan- used widely and has a large, Increasingly stringent import laws will force developing coun- tations are in his opinion one global consumer market. tries to bring an end to illegal logging. of the many available solu- His opinium is that bamboo tions to change the planet, plantations can create posi- environmentally and socially. tive environmental and so- Bamboo owns your heart. cial change. Now, own the heart of Bamboo

(505) 8933-1674 · [email protected] · www.ecobamboolot.com