Barclays Global Investors is to launch a commodities pooled fund to capitalise on increased investor interest, writes Mike Foster.

Marko van Bergen, who heads BGI's Dutch office, is co-ordinating the fund's marketing as pension schemes in the Netherlands are keen to diversify into the sector. Dutch pension schemes have shown more interest in commodities than their counterparts as a result of having to satisfy minimum return criteria laid down by their regulator. But Van Bergen pointed out that pension schemes from other countries are showing more interest in the asset class.