First State plays on Asia's ethical shift

Manager David Gait claims the region's social and environmental issues are forcing it to innovate in these areas

Since launching three years ago, First State's Asia Pacific Sustainability fund has benefited from growing awareness of ethical issues in the region's markets. The £52m vehicle is headed up by Davit Gait, co-managed with Angus Tulloch, and invests in equities in the Asia Pacific region excluding Japan. While Gait admits some may argue sustainable investing in Asian markets is an oxymoron, he insists there are increasing numbers of companies that fit the fund's philosophy. "We would argue Asia has acute social and environmental problems but because it has so many issues, it is trying t...