In short order Canada is becoming the third most popular foreign
student destination behind the US and UK. Investors should care,
why? Mainly because foreign students coming to Canada spent $8
billion in 2010 on tuition alone, excluding housing and collateral
spending; more than was spent on unwrought aluminum and the export
of helicopters, airplanes and spacecraft to all other countries.
Housing for this group is extremely tight and comes in at about
$10,000 per student per year just for housing, if they can find it.
Therefore, it is a 'sellers' market when it comes to this space.
Add to that the January 15th 2014 announcement by the Canadian
Federal Government, which plans to increase the number of foreign
students entering Canada from 250,000 to 450,000 in 8 years and
compelling revenue growth is virtually assured.
After real estate, education is the largest expense for Asian
parents and they have proven that they will spend whatever it takes
to give their children—and grandchildren-- the greatest learning
advantage possible.
"As virtually the only company dedicated to end user housing and
lifestyle solutions for foreign students, CIBT represents an
extremely interesting investment opportunity," stated Toby Chu,
Vice Chairman, President and CEO of CIBT Education Group (TSX:MBA)
(OTCQX:MBAIF) in an exclusive interview with Financial Press. "CIBT
plans to finance an ambitious portfolio of real estate by way of
public equity financing as well as attract foreign investors to
take a sizable position in every new project, bank financing and
new immigrant investment money so as to capitalize on the big trend
of Chinese money flowing into Vancouver's real estate markets."
Given its proximity to the Asian market, Vancouver and BC are
preferred destinations for students from China, Hong Kong, South
Korea, Japan, and Latin America. As well, due to political unrest,
a large component of Middle Eastern students are also choosing
Canada for safety, climate and education opportunities. Due to
Canadian Immigration law, all tuition must be prepaid before a
letter of acceptance is issued, and housing cost is often combined
with tuition fee as upfront payment so the revenues are predictable
and secure.
CIBT Education Group Inc. is an education management company
focused on the global education market since 1994. CIBT Group owns
and operates a network of business, technical and language colleges
in North America and Asia. CIBT Group offers cooperative joint
programs in 12 countries with campuses, recruitment offices and
training centers enrolling over 6,000 students annually. Its
education business is operated through Sprott Shaw College
(established in 1903) and Acsenda School of Management in Canada,
CIBT School of Business and Beihai International College in China,
and Global Education Alliance Recruitment Centers in other overseas
countries.
CIBT's Real Estate business is conducted through its investment
holding company Global Education City Holdings (GEC). For over 20
years the company has been offering all aspects of education and
training to domestic students in North America and foreign students
including Western and Chinese accredited business and management
degrees, programs in college preparation, healthcare, hotel
management and tourism, English language training, junior and high
school preparation programs for overseas study, and other
career/vocational training.
Recently the real estate business has been noteworthy. The plan
is quite simple and so far very successful. The Company either
builds or retrofits multi-unit accommodations, which are move in
ready within 2 years or 9 months respectively. Most are fully
leased up and money in hand prior to opening. In turn, the plan is
then to sell them to mutual funds or accredited investors at a
profit and move on to the next project. CIBT retains a 20-year
management contract to manage the property including filling them
with students.
"Our success is a double edged sword, albeit a profitable one,"
states Chu. "Given that Vancouver's student housing market alone is
a $1 billion business, we are currently focused here with plans to
eventually build businesses that will see our model deployed in
other cities in Asia, send North American students overseas and
eventually franchise our expertise. Given that students are a
known, secure and rapidly growing market in this and other major
urban jurisdictions, CIBT is confident of unparalleled growth and
building compelling and consistent shareholder value."
CIBT's latest real estate foray was the signing of a purchase
agreement with a Vancouver based developer for three properties.
This project is to be developed into student centric serviced
apartments for domestic and foreign students studying in the Lower
Mainland. The site will be capable of handling approximately 350
students during the academic season from September to June, and up
to 700 students during the summer camp season from July to August.
Total development budget is $44 million when fully constructed and
furnished. CIBT reported 7 other properties are either under
development, or in negotiation for a master lease or outright
purchase.
CIBT's competitive advantages are impressive. Besides having
extensive global business and education contacts, management knows
how to get maximum return as well as provide culturally relevant
and sensitive services to its clientele. Providing everything from
locations near subway stations, transportation hubs to concierge
lifestyle services and ESL (English as a second language) training,
guardian services for younger students, weekend activity packages,
it is apparent that there are significant barriers to entry for any
would-be competitor.
With a structure that includes constituent divisions dealing
with different types of education, housing rentals and real estate
ventures, the Company has pretty much locked up this massive and
virtually recession proof market.
CIBT trades at $0.33 with a market cap of $21.5 million.
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CONTACT: CIBT Education Group Inc.
Toby Chu, 1-604-871-9909
Vice-Chairman, President and CEO
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