Articles by Brian McLeod
IFC backs NCMSL for Indian agro supply chain
International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank unit responsible for private investment, plans to invest $7.5 million in equity, plus an additional $13 million in debt, into integrated supply chain and risk management services provider National...
First Reserve takes high Calibre in Oz
That Australia's mining and metals sector is a powerhouse in global natural resources markets is well known.
CITIC Capital Japan to take Higashiyama Film
HF Holdings, a wholly-owned special purpose vehicle formed by CITIC Capital Holdings Ltd, CITIC Capital Japan Partners II LP, Castle Rock Holdings SPRL and Wealth Rock Holdings SPRL, has announced it will acquire 55.3% of Higashiyama Film Ltd from its...
IDFC Project Equity appoints Aggarwal MD Investments
Leading Indian infrastructure investor IDFC Project Equity has announced the internal promotion of a senior member of its energy team, Aditya Aggarwal, to the post of managing director in charge of investments.
Summit Partners to open India office in 2011
Boston-based Summit Partners has just announced that it will open an office in the country in 2011.
Movement in Pakistan with Shell LPG bids
Private equity in Pakistan has shown unprecedented activity with a competitive auction developing for Shell Petroleum's stake in Shell Gas Pakistan between JS Private Equity and local strategic Jamshoro Joint Venture Ltd, as well as a possible third bidder....
Sinopec stakes its claim
Large PRC oil companies have been quietly taking ever-bigger positions in heavy oil businesses in Canada’s oil-rich Alberta province for some time.
Lazard Carnegie Wylie fund takes distressed hotel
The A$100 million ($91 million) Lazard Carnegie Wylie Private Equity Distressed Fund, which targets distressed Australian hospitality and pub assets, has bought the Steyne Hotel on Sydney's Manly Beach, reportedly for A$27 million ($24 million).
China/Asia clean energy investing: the control conundrum
The energy growth paradigm, worldwide, appears to be undergoing a vigorous shakeup, driven largely, though not entirely, by the new green imperative.
AIF announces Famy India contraceptive deal
AIF Capital has announced that AIF Capital Asia III LP and its affiliates have invested $40 million into Famy Care Ltd., a Mumbai-based pharmaceuticals manufacturer.
Dissecting the Asian infrastructure opportunity
If Asian infrastructure is one of the major upcoming global investment themes, China is its kingpin.
Building a better Asia – public, private, partnerships and profits
The growing discrepancy between Asia’s phenomenal productivity growth and its slow progress in the roll-out of critical infrastructure threatens the region’s potential growth.
First Eastern partners with Monitise
First Eastern Mobile Investments, part of the First Eastern Investment Group, has announced a 50/50 joint venture with Monitise Plc, claimed to be the world's leading provider of mobile money networks and technology, with a view to developing mobile banking,...
First low carbon fund launched in China
The ZheShang Nuohai Low Carbon Fund, which claims to be China’s first dedicated private equity vehicle focused exclusively on the energy conservation, environmental protection and new energy sectors, was formally established at the end of March.
Bridging Asia's infrastructure bottleneck
Traditionally the Asian infrastructure mantra has been, ‘if you let them build it, they will come,’ the ‘they’ being international investors (largely OECD manufacturers) looking to establish industrial capacity across the region, primarily to capitalize...
Lend Lease takes an $8 million stake in Daintree Networks
Australian leading dedicated cleantech investor Lend Lease further diversified its portfolio by making an $8 million investment in California-based wireless lighting control services provider Daintree Networks.
UBS mulls RMB fund
Although there has not as yet been formal confirmation, reports suggest that Swiss banking giant UBS is now in talks with the Beijing municipal government regarding setting up a renminbi-denominated private equity fund.
IFC to make first solar investment
World Bank investment unit the International Finance Corporation has confirmed that it will inject $10 million into India’s Azure Power, a solar energy service provider, to expedite that company’s nascent power projects in states such as Punjab, Haryand...
Mining and metals: All that glitters
All that glitters may not be gold; but most metals are enjoying robust price growth, with rosy prospects for the longer term, say senior market observers.
Australian market prospects: Clear roads ahead?
The convergence of a robust economy, a shortage of credit and the perceived retreat in public equity markets look likely to generate M&A and private equity deals; but for different reasons.
Australia's varied markets
A kaleidoscope of factors make a market, and a country’s economy is much more than a simple stage on which activity plays out.
Indian biomass project attracts IFC support
The World Bank’s investment arm, International Finance Corp. (IFC) has announced it will nearly double its investment in an Indian 18MW biomass alternative energy project being developed by Auro Mira Bio Systems Kanyakumari Pvt Ltd, part of the AME group....
Helion, Bessemer bet on NetAmbit
India-focused venture fund Helion Venture Partners has announced it will inject INR400 million ($8.6 million) into financial products distributor NetAmbit, a market leader in the space on the sub-continent.
SPRING SEEDS-backed biofuel plant opens in Singapore
The opening of the Singapore Emulsion Fuel Pte Ltd marks a new era in the city state’s long-term history as a major regional fuel refiner. Backed by SPRING SEEDS Capital, under the aegis of the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Building & Construction...