Thinking out of the box..... Hi mdjbrown you asked me to “share the details of the recent GEM draw, as there is no other fact more relevant to shareholders right now, than the details of that announced draw. The fact that no details were provided at all regarding the GEM advancement is concerning”
I can only answer that with a question… can they? I’ll share my thoughts on that later.
Global Emerging Markets (“GEM”) is a $3.4 billion alternative group that manages a diverse set of investment vehicles focused on emerging markets across the world. GEM primarily deploys capital in late stage or expansion situations in companies with at least 2-3 years of history. It seeks to invest globally focusing on North America, Turkey, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, China, South-East Asia, Poland, Brazil, and Columbia. GEM has held an interest in India since 2005.
GEM India Advisors (GIA) GIA is a multi-industry and diversified private equity and alternative asset firm focused on investing in Indian Sub-Continent based companies.
So ask yourself why would GEM be in bed with EPO?
Now for the politics…
Nov 2010 - The former Minister of International Trade, the Honourable Peter Van Loan, launched free trade negotiations with India during his visit to New Delhi
Apr 2012 - India’s state-run Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Ltd. (RCF) announced it planning to invest $1 billion in Canadian potash mines to secure long-term supply. “We will appoint a consultant who will identify potash mines in Canada where we can invest, maybe as a joint venture partner and the potential investment would be supported by the Indian government” RCF chairman R. G. Rajan told media in India.
Fast forward - Canada and India announced the start of free trade negotiations towards a CEPA in November 2010, following the release of the Canada-India Joint Study Report, in September 2010, seven rounds of negotiations have been held. The second round was held in Ottawa in July 2011, and the third, fourth and fifth rounds were held in New Delhi in December 2011, February 2012 and July 2012, respectively. The sixth round was held in Ottawa in November 2012. Additional meetings relating to the fifth round were also held in New Delhi in August 2012.
Mar 2015 - The ninth round of negotiations toward a Canada-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was held on March 19-20, 2015, in New Delhi. The negotiations focused on goods and services and progress continues to be made. Canada remains committed to concluding an ambitious agreement with India.
Nov 2016 - Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Republic of India on the Establishment of a Joint Study Group to Examine the Feasibility of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
Mar 2017 – I attended the PDAC in Toronto. Longs remember I posted my questions and Gary’s answers. One of my key questions I asked… “Justin Trudeau know about Encanto Potash” Gary’s answer “No comment”.
Feb 2018 – PM goes to India… One of Justin Trudeau’s election promises “the development of a targeted strategy to promote trade and investment with emerging markets, with particular attention to China and India,” as a goal for his government.
India is projected to be the world’s third largest economy by 2050. India’s growing population, rising per capita income levels, rapidly expanding manufacturing, high-technology and services sectors, and the associated infrastructure and natural resources requirements make it a tremendous market of opportunity for Canadian companies.
Canadian modelling work also shows substantial gains in bilateral trade, for Canada as high as 47 per cent and for India as high as 60 per cent. Canada's gains in exports to India would be widely spread across sectors, ranging from primary agricultural and resources-related products, to chemical products, transport equipment, machinery and equipment and services, while India's leading gains in exports to Canada would be concentrated in textile and apparel products and services.
Every investor here knows the potential, the magnitude and the mile stones EPO has made so I’m not going there, however if you think for one moment Justin Trudeau is going to let a little unknown junior potash mine that doesn’t have a pot to poo in take-way from his glory to announce he has lived up to one of his election promises then think again.
So finally here is my answer… Encanto is under a voluntary gag order. It’s my opinion EPO the trading company has made a sale and were waiting on politics to play out on Global scale.
I also think it will all come together in Feb when JT visits India.
Just my 2 cents
n