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Armstrong South East Asia Clean Energy Fund Readies for First Investments (Asia)

Singapore-based private equity firm Armstrong Asset Management has announced the first close of the Armstrong South East Asia Clean Energy Fund with US$65 million in commitments. Investors in the fund include European development finance institutions GEEREF and DEG. The fund, which is targeting total commitments of US$150 million, plans to invest in the solar and mini-hydro sectors of Southeast Asian… Read More

Affinity, Baring, GIC Claim US$1 Billion Kyobo Life Stake (Asia)

A private equity consortium consisting of Baring Private Equity Asia, Affinity Equity Partners, IMM Private Equity and the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, has purchased a 24 percent stake in South Korea’s Kyobo Life Insurance from Daewoo International Corporation. The transaction is valued at KRW1.2 trillion (approximately US$1.06 billion). The consortium of investors will become the… Read More

Asia Alternatives Announces Fund Closings of Over US$1.5 Billion (Asia)

Asian private equity fund-of-funds Asia Alternatives has announced the final close of over US$1.5 billion in commitments across several funds. The largest fund to close was Asia Alternatives Capital Partners III (AACP III), which closed at US$908 million, above its US$800 million target. The other fund vehicles closed with approximately US$600 million in total commitments. Asia Alternatives focuses on local… Read More

IFC, Africa Capitalization Fund Investment Supports Growth and Access to Finance in Nigeria (Sub-Saharan Africa)

International Finance Corporation (IFC) has announced that it will provide a US$70 million convertible loan to Nigerian commercial bank, Diamond Bank, in partnership with the Africa Capitalization Fund, a private equity fund managed by IFC Asset Management Company. Diamond Bank will use the loan to expand its lending program and provide financial services to underserved market segments. Read More

Indonesia’s Capsquare Achieves First Close on Debut Fund (Asia)

Indonesia-focused private equity firm Capsquare Asia Partners has achieved a first close on its debut fund. The fund, targeting US$75 million in total commitments, has reportedly raised three-quarters of that amount. Capsquare is focusing on consumer-driven sectors such as consumer goods, retail, education and healthcare. The firm plans to make investments between US$10 million and US$15 million, mostly for controlling… Read More

SAIF Partners Investing US$7.2 Million in Bangalore QSR Chain Ammi’s Biryani (Asia)

Asia-focused private equity firm SAIF Partners has invested INR400 million (approximately US$7.2 million) into TMA Hospitality Services, which manages fast food restaurant chain Ammi’s Biryani. SAIF Partners recently established a separate INR1 billion (approximately US$18 million) investment vehicle, Zooropa Foods, to finance and manage a chain of quick service and casual dining restaurants. Read More

BTG Pactual Leads Investment of US$2.7 Billion in Sete Brasil Participações (Latin America)

Brazilian bank BTG Pactual’s private equity funds have invested US$1 billion as part of a BRL5.4 billion (approximately US$2.7 billion) investment in Sete Brasil Participações, a Brazilian offshore oil rig operator. Also participating in the deal was U.S.-based investment firm EIG Global Energy Partners. Following the transaction, BTG Pactual reportedly owns over 30 percent of Sete Brasil. Existing investors in… Read More

L Capital Asia Invests in Indian Theatrical Chain (Asia)

L Capital Asia, through its Indian subsidiary L Capital Eco, will invest a total of INR1.08 billion (approximately US$19 million) in Indian cinema operator PVR. L Capital will invest INR577 million for a direct 10 percent stake in PVR, as well as INR501 million to establish a joint venture with PVR to invest in in-mall entertainment and leisure concepts. L… Read More

BaltCap Completes Wind Farm Investment in Estonia (CEE and CIS)

BaltCap, a private equity and venture capital firm focused on the Baltic States, has invested in the 18-megawatt Mäli & Tamba wind energy project in Estonia. The Mäli & Tamba wind farm, which will utilize 3-megawatt Enercon turbines and be operational as of September 2013, is BaltCap’s second energy-related transaction following its May 2008 investment in Energate, a natural gas… Read More

Genpact Announces Agreement for Bain Capital Partners to Buy US$1 Billion of Shares from Existing Sponsors (Asia)

Genpact, a global business process outsourcing and technology services firm, announced that affiliates of Bain Capital have agreed to acquire 68 million common shares in the firm, representing approximately 30 percent of outstanding shares, from entities affiliated with General Atlantic (GA) and Oak Hill Capital Partners for approximately US$1 billion (US$14.76 per share). Before the transaction officially closes, all shareholders,… Read More

Standard Chartered Private Equity Backs Sri Lanka’s Abans with US$40 Million (Asia)

Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE) has reportedly invested US$40 million in Sri Lankan home appliance and electronics retailer Abans. Carrying global brands including LG, Toshiba, Mitsubishi Electric, Haier, Whirlpool, Sanyo, Sharpe, Philips, Apple and HP, Abans currently operates 400 showrooms across Sri Lanka. The company will use the capital to add 200 new employees, expand its retail network and complete… Read More

Philippines’ Pension System and Asian Development Bank in US$625 Million Infrastructure Fund (Asia)

The Philippines Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has partnered with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA) and Dutch pension fund asset manager APG Asset Management to launch a US$625 million fund dedicated to infrastructure investment in the Philippines. The Philippine Investment Alliance for Infrastructure (PINAI), as the fund is known, received commitments of US$400 million… Read More