The fall of the Iron Curtain and the resultant transition of the countries of the former Soviet Union toward a free-market economy presented historic investment opportunities. The Burlington Capital Group (formerly America First Companies) was in a unique position to take advantage of those opportunities. In 1995, the company formed Agribusiness Partners International, L.P. (API), a $100 million private investment fund organized with credit support and a guarantee from the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), an agency of the United States government. API is managed by Agribusiness Management Company, LLC.
API is fully invested in agribusiness/food processing companies in Russia, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. The companies include producers of cheese and dairy products, a sparkling wine bottler, a packaging and labeling company and a glass bottle manufacturer. The Fund's biggest investment is in the largest poultry production company in Russia - Chicken Kingdom.
API expects to exit its investments through sale of its interests to strategic investors, management or perhaps through an IPO on the Russian or other international stock markets.
The Burlington Capital Group believes that there are continuing investment opportunities in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe as well as in other emerging markets and is seeking those opportunities.
