MENA
Mulverhill Associates launches in MENA
A new MENA investment and consulting firm, Mulverhill Associates, has been formed in Dubai by former Director of Abraaj Capital Jonathan Hall.
Infinity I-China will expand in China with CDB
Infinity I-China, the Israeli venture capital fund, has signed a memorandum of understanding with China Development Bank to expand the fund's investment activities in Chinese companies through its six RMB-denominated funds, formed in partnership with...
ADIA appoints Sheikh Hamed as new head
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) has appointed Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed as its new managing director and head, following the death of his predecessor and brother Sheikh Ahmed bin Zayed in a gliding accident.
Colony checks partway out of Raffles to QIC
Colony Capital is reducing its stakeholding in iconic Singapore-centered hotel investment Fairmont Raffles Holdings International, in an $847 million deal with the Qatar Investment Authority, with Singapore's historic Raffles Hotel going to QIC for $275...
Kump leaves DIC for Carlyle
Eric Kump, former MD and head of the European buyout team at Dubai International Capital (DIC), has now joined the Carlyle Group as an MD with its Carlyle Europe Partners European LBO team.
Carlyle makes first Saudi investment
The Carlyle Group has made its first investment in Saudi Arabia with a 30% stake in the country's General Lighting Co., its largest lighting fixture manufacturer.
ADIA MD missing
Sheikh Ahmed bin Zayed al-Nahayan, managing director of leading SWF the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), is missing after a glider crash in Morocco, according to local news agency reports.
Japan's SBI and Brunei government form fund
Japanese financial group SBI Holdings Inc., has agreed to launch an Islamic investment fund of unconfirmed size with the Ministry of Finance of Brunei Darussalam, with investments to be made from Brunei Global Islamic Investments, operated by a new fund...
Abu Dhabi's Invest AD targets $400 million
Abu Dhabi's Invest AD is seeking to raise $400 million for its second fund targeting opportunities in Middle East and North Africa, with up to $325 million drawn from third party investors.
Gulf Capital closes second fund oversubscribed
MENA private equity pioneer Gulf Capital has closed its second fund, GC Equity Partners II, at $533 million, the Middle East's largest closing for 2009.
SBI plans second cleantech fund
Japanese financial services group SBI Holdings plans to raise ¥30 billion ($332 million) for a second venture fund with a special focus on Asia’s clean technology sector, forecasting an expected IRR of 25-30%.
Adams Street Nicum hire may mean India tilt
Adams Street Partners has hired former Coller Capital principal Pinal Nicum as a Partner with its London-based secondary team.
Dubai Asian asset exits may attract private equity
Dubai government-linked investment funds are shedding some of their Asian assets, with Emaar Properties reportedly hiring Singapore's DBS Bank to sell local sports retailer RSH Holdings, owner of the Royal Sporting House chain, valued at around $164 million.
Istithmar exits SpiceJet at loss
Dubai investment group Istithmar has sold all of its 13.4% stake in Indian budget carrier SpiceJet, reportedly at a loss of $7.2 million on the final sale price of $37 million.
Abu Dhabi SWF plans 15% stake in Gatwick
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth fund, is reportedly planning to invest £125 million ($198.4 million) for a 15% stake in London's second-biggest airport, Gatwick Airport.
Religare’s Chakraborty leaves for Oman’s Kitara Capital
Amitabh Chakraborty, formerly head of equity research at Religare Securities, has reportedly quit the leading Indian brokerage to join Kitara Capital, an arm of the Sultanate of Oman’s Ajit Khimji Group, as MD and CIO.
First Eastern launching Dubai fund
Victor Chu’s First Eastern Investment Group is planning a $250 million private equity fund to focus on investments in Dubai, aiming to assist local businesses starved of capital since the Gulf economy’s sudden collapse.
Istithmar’s Jackson resigns
David Jackson, hitherto CEO of Dubai World investment division Istithmar World, has stepped down, with Istithmar CIO Andy Watson taking his place.
Global cleantech money for Abu Dhabi
The DB Masdar Clean Tech Fund, a private equity fund jointly set up by Abu Dhabi’s energy group Masdar and Deutsche Bank, has raised $265 million for its first close from globally well-known LPs, including Credit Swiss, Siemens, Japan Oil Development...
Johann Bastin of CIMB Standard
Johann Bastin, CEO of CIMB Standard Strategic Asset Advisors, speaks about the role of CIMB Standard as a shariah-compliant fund.
Abraaj, Waha catch Minnow
Middle Eastern private equity leader Abraaj Capital, in partnership with Abu Dhabi’s Waha Capital, has 100% acquired local offshore petrochemicals support contractor Minnow Marine Projects Ltd. through Singapore’s Stanford Asia, a division of their...
Emergency in emerging markets?
Just a few months ago, it seemed that emerging markets could do no wrong.
Istithmar selloff possible as Dubai struggles
Istithmar, the alternative investment arm of government holding company Dubai World, now burdened with some $60 billion of debt, may soon sell off key property and other assets to support its struggling parent.
MEACP plans clean shariah fund tranche
Singapore- and Indonesia-based investment firm Middle East & Asia Capital Partners Pte. Ltd. (MEACP), founded by former EMP Bahrain head Mumtaz Khan, is reportedly aiming to add a shariah-compliant component to its Middle East & Asia Capital Partners...