Articles by Tim Burroughs
KKR boosts capital markets, Capstone teams in Japan
KKR has strengthened its Japan team with the appointment of Hiro Shimizu and Sakae Suzuki as directors. The private equity firm now has 12 people in its Tokyo office.
AVCJ hosts Indonesia webinar
Leading investors will debate whether Indonesia deserves its status as Asia’s fastest-rising private equity market at an AVCJ webinar on March 5. It will begin at 4 p.m. (3 p.m. Jakarta time) and will last for approximately 45 minutes. Audience members...
India to tax buyback exits by foreign investors
India plans to impose a 20% withholding tax on foreign investors in private companies who exit their holdings through a buyback of shares. Investments routed through jurisdictions such as Mauritius and Singapore to take advantage of double tax treaty...
KKR’s Asia fund ‘practically closed’ – Kravis
KKR’s second Asia fund is “practically closed” having exceeded its $6 billion cap, according to Henry Kravis, co-chairman of the private equity firm. This confirms earlier reports that the fund – the largest vehicle ever raised in the region,...
7 Days board agrees to PE-backed buyout
Chinese budget hotel chain 7 Days Group has accepted a take-private offer from its co-chairmen and three private equity investors that values the company at approximately $688 million. Two PE firms, The Carlyle Group and Sequoia Capital, were initially...
Northstar, tycoon buy stake in Hutchison’s Indonesia unit
Northstar Pacific Partners is part of an investor group that has purchased a 35% stake in Hong Kong-based Hutchison Whampoa’s Indonesian telecom business. The transaction facilitates the exit of Thai conglomerate Charoen Pokphand.
Carlyle-backed China Fishery in $277m Peruvian deal
China Fishery, an industrial fishing company part-owned by The Carlyle Group, will pay $555.8 million for Peruvian counterpart Copeinca. The acquisition will make China Fishery the largest player in the world’s largest market by volume for fishmeal...
China’s Beisen gets Series B funding from Matrix, Sequoia
Beisen, a Chinese supplier of HR evaluation and testing tools and services, has received $10 million in Series B funding from Matrix Partners and Sequoia Capital. It comes three years after the company’s first-round of financing, which saw Shenzhen...
Hong Kong extends offshore funds tax exemption to private equity
Private equity investors will qualify for the profits tax exemption extended to offshore funds in Hong Kong as part of government efforts to encourage more vehicles to domicile in the territory.
Washington State to invest $300m in Affinity Fund IV
Affinity Equity Partners has secured a $300 million commitment for its fourth pan-Asia fund from Washington State Investment Board. It is three times the size of the US pension system’s investment in the GP’s previous vehicle.
Q&A: CHAMP Private Equity's John Haddock
Australian companies are increasingly open to the prospect of working with a financial investor and seeking growth away from the public spotlight, says John Haddock, managing director at CHAMP Private Equity.
Global access: Australian LPs and international PE
Australia's superannuation industry is still embroiled in a costs debate as funds decide whether a private equity strategy makes economic sense. Those sticking with the asset class are looking to go offshore
Leveraged finance: New faces, slower processes
The withdrawal of Western banks from Australia's leveraged financing market has created opportunities for others. A general sense of caution means that, while debt is available, it won't necessarily come quickly
ChrysCapital buys 10% stake in NBFC Au Financiers
ChrysCapital Partners has purchased a 10% stake in Indian non-banking financial company Au Financiers for INR1.2 billion ($22.2 million). The investment facilitates another partial exit for Motilal Oswal Private Equity, which sold a portion of its holding...
RRJ, Blackstone boost holding in Cheniere Energy
RRJ Capital and GSO Capital, The Blackstone Group’s credit arm, have bought the bulk of $372 million in shares issued by Cheniere Energy Partners, a limited partnership that controls America’s fire liquefied natural gas (LNG) export plant.
IvyCap takes lead role in Thomson Reuters’ India farming platform
IvyCap Ventures has agreed to become the lead investor in Thomson Reuters’ information platform for Indian farmers. Terms and conditions of the transaction were not disclosed.
STIC-led consortium finalizes LIG Nex1 deal
A group of Korean investors led by STIC Investments has agreed to buy a 49% stake in LIG Nex1, a domestic aerospace and defense company owned by LIG Group. The sale price is said to be KRW420 billion ($388 million).
CLSA invests in China’s Scinor Water
CLSA Capital Partners (CLSA CP) has led a $10 million round of funding for Scinor Water, a Chinese company that produces membranes used in waste water treatment. KPCB, an existing investor, also participated in the round.
FLAG Squadron’s Pierce named chair of EMPEA Asia council
The Emerging Markets Private Equity Association (EMPEA) has appointed David Pierce, a partner at FLAG Squadron Asia, as chair of its Asia advisory council.
KKR, Allegro target Australia's ailing Geon
KKR and Allegro Funds have placed Australian commercial printing company Geon Group into administration and are looking to buy parts of the business out of receivership. The pair became creditors last year following the acquisition of a portfolio of distressed...
Morgan Stanley in control deal for Korean paper maker
Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA) has agreed to buy a majority stake in South Korean bathroom tissue producer Monalisa for KRW91.4 billion ($84.2 million). The seller is Kwang-ho Kim, the company’s CEO, who will also exit two unlisted entities...
ADV seeks $500m for Asia special situations fund
ADV Partners, a PE firm set up by former executives from Mount Kellett Capital, is targeting $500 million for its debut Asia-focused special situations fund. The hard cap is $750 million.
Australian GPs see strong investment climate, challenges for exits
Australia’s private equity investment environment is at its strongest in five years but this is tempered by managers facing more challenges selling portfolio companies, according to Anthony Kerwick, managing director at Pacific Equity Partners (PEP).
China’s CSRC issues draft regulation on PE supervision
China’s securities regulator has issued draft rules that impose greater oversight on domestic private equity funds. The proposals, and in particular the watchdog role to be played by the Asset Management Association of China (AMAC), represent another...