Southeast Asia
Saratoga-owned Mandala Air eyes expansion
Saratoga Capital-owned Mandala Airlines plans to quadruple the size of its fleet by 2014 in order to boost its share of a rapidly expanding Indonesian aviation market, driven by the country’s emerging middle class.
Temasek sets up dedicated LNG investment unit
Temasek Holdings has set up an investment unit dedicated to liquefied natural gas (LNG) assets. The move comes as the Singaporean sovereign wealth fund seeks to increase its energy exposure – as also evidenced through recent PE investments – in recognition...
Malaysia plans $500m global halal fund
Malaysia-based specialist private equity firm Azka Capital will manage a MYR1.55 billion ($503 million) fund focused on global opportunities in the halal industry. It is expected to acquire companies in the food and agri-business sector and reorient them...
New Mexico State Investment Council commits to Affinity Fund IV
New Mexico State Investment Council (NMSIC) has agreed to invest up to $75 million in Affinity Equity Partners’ fourth pan-Asia fund. The vehicle reached a first close of $1.5 billion in early March and has a hard cap of $3.5 billion.
IFC may anchor Thailand-focused Lakeshore fund
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is considering a commitment of up to $20 million to Lakeshore Capital Fund I, a Thailand-focused GP that is seeking to raise $100 million.
Navis acquires stake in Malaysian IT firm Strateq
Navis Capital Partners has bought a 54.8% stake in Malaysian IT firm Strateq from Kencana Capital. Sources familiar with the situation told AVCJ the deal was valued at MYR35-50 million ($11-16 million), or around 6x forward EBITDA.
Q&A: Baring Private Equity Asia's Jean Eric Salata
Baring Private Equity Asia closed its fifth fund at $2.46 billion in early 2011. CEO Jean Eric Salata tells AVCJ why the firm has taken its time investing the capital and where he now sees value emerging in the market
Indonesia webinar: Turning hype into returns
Indonesia has emerged as the next big thing in Asian PE, but there are concerns about rising valuations and whether the market is deep enough to meet expectations. Industry participants share their views
Mekong trims Mobile World stake, looks to IPO
Is Mobile World the next Masan Consumer Corp? The as yet unnamed private equity firm that picked up part of Mekong Capital’s stake in the Vietnamese mobile phone retailer is certainly hoping so.
Leopard backs cross-border kenaf play
When kenaf, an Asian plant known for its short growing cycle, high protein content and strong fibers, was put to practical use, the locals made ropes. Today, its applications are expanding to encompass a wide variety of industries.
Standard Chartered exits Shangri-La Malaysia stake to Robert Kuok
Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE) has sold its 22.2% stake in Shangri-La Hotels Malaysia to Robert Kuok, allowing the Malaysia tycoon to increase his holding in the company to nearly 75%.
Malaysia’s EPF eyes more PE opportunities
Malaysia’s Employees Provident Fund (EPF) plans to increase its private equity commitments in 2013, with a particular interest in regional co-investment opportunities.
TNF Ventures leads $560k investment in start-up Tribehired
TNF Ventures has led a S$696,000 ($560,000) seed funding round in social recruitment site Tribehired.
CVC-backed Matahari prices offering near top of revised range
CVC Capital Partners and its local partner have priced their Matahari Department Store offering at IDR10,850 ($1.11) per share, putting them on course to raise about $1.3 billion through a partial exit.
Electric Sheep Capital, DMP invest $3.2m in Singapore's AdzCentral
Electric Sheep Capital and Digital Media Partners have invested s$4 million ($3.2 million) of Series A funding in AdzCentral, an advertising technology company based in Singapore.
Singapore's Golden Gate Ventures eyes Series A fund
Singapore-based Golden Gate Ventures is planning to raise a second fund focusing on Series A investments in Southeast Asian tech companies. A source with knowledge of the matter said the fund would launch within 12 months, targeting around $40 million.
Vietnam’s Mekong Capital in partial exit from Mobile World
Mekong Capital has completed a partial exit from Vietnamese mobile phone retail chain Mobile World, securing an 11x return, including dividend payments. The PE firm initially invested $3.5 million in 2007.
PE, MFIs back Philippines rural lending initiative
When examining the driving forces of rural development, one fact continually rings true: the higher the proportion of people in possession of a bank account, the higher a country's GDP per capita. In Asia, two countries fall well below the trend line...
Leopard Capital's Cambodia fund commits to Engage Resources
Leopard Capital has invested an undisclosed sum in Engage Resources, enabling the kenaf-based products manufacturer to expand its operations from Thailand into Cambodia. Kenaf is a fibrous plant used in animal feed as well as in the construction and paper...
ACO Investment to bet $700m on Myanmar
New York-based ACO Investment Group, a firm founded by former United Airlines president Rononjoy Dutta and former Credit Suisse banker Hari Achuthan, says it will invest $700 million in Myanmar.
Competition for large-cap Indonesia deals to intensify – AVCJ Forum
Indonesian private equity will remain intensely competitive at the larger end of the market as regional and global buyout firms compete for a limited number of deals, industry participants told the AVCJ Indonesia Forum in Jakarta today.
AVCJ at 25: Patrick Walujo of Northstar Pacific Partners
Patrick Walujo, co-founder and managing partner of Northstar Pacific Partners, leveraged local knowledge and relationships at TPG Capital to create Indonesia’s largest domestic private equity platform
AVCJ at 25: Sandiaga Uno & Kay Mock of Saratoga Capital
Sandiaga Uno and Kay Mock, founding partners of Saratoga Capital, transformed a family office into a private equity firm on the back of strong growth and sound investments in Indonesia
AVCJ at 25: Nick Bloy of Navis Capital Partners
Nick Bloy, co-managing partner at Navis Capital Partners, saw Lehman Brothers collapse within days of a launching his sixth fund. LPs had to be reassured or replaced, and the strength of Navis’ existing portfolio was pushed to the fore