Southeast Asia
Navis reaps 50% IRR on King’s trade sale
Navis Capital Partners has given its investors reason for cheer. Not only did the firm exit its 2008 investment in King’s Safetywear last week for well above 50% IRR (4-5x money multiple), it also signed off the buyout of the field marketing and retail...
Ex-banker targets $1b fundraise for Indonesia vehicle
A former investment banker with Bank of America in Asia is looking to raise a $1 billion private equity fund targeting Indonesia. It will launch in the first quarter of next year, with a view to making a first close within three months.
Southeast Asia takes on the neighbors
Southeast Asia is increasingly popular as an investment destination for private equity firms, but can it compete with China and India?
MAVCAP names Bujang as CEO
Malaysia Venture Capital Management (MAVCAP) has named Jamaludin Bujang as CEO, succeeding Husni Salleh, who exited the position earlier this year to become CEO of Bumiputera Agenda Coordinating Unit.
Navis sells King's Safetywear to Honeywell International
Navis Capital Partners has exited its undisclosed majority stake in Southeast Asian industrial footwear brand King’s Safetywear to Honeywell International for an enterprise valuation of S$430 million ($338 million).
ICICI's Puri-Buch to launch Greater Pacific Singapore office
Former Managing Director and CEO of ICICI Securities Madhabi Puri-Buch will join UK-based Asian PE investor Greater Pacific Capital to set up its Singapore office.
GIC takes 20% of PE-owned aircrafter leaser Avolon
The Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) has paid $300 million for a 20% stake in Dublin-based aircraft-leasing group Avolon. The company is owned by private equity firms CVC Capital Partners, Civen and Oak Hill Capitall Partners.
Asian infrastructure: Building blocks
There is no denying the potential for infrastructure investment in Asia. Although the policies and structures governing private equity involvement are improving, it remains difficult terrain.
Abraaj Capital targets Southeast Asian natural resources
Abraaj Capital plans to invest part of its latest $2 billion fund in Southeast Asian natural resources, with a particular focus on copper and tin mines in Indonesia as well as ancillary services tied to mining or agriculture.
EQT, TPG funds reflect Asia’s PE power
Asia's growing significance in the private equity world was further confirmed in two separate fundraising events last week. First in Europe, where EQT Partners announced that Asia Pacific LPs were responsible for nearly one quarter of total commitments...
Towers Watson hires professionals from Squadron, Navis
Professional services provider Towers Watson has appointed Richard Tan and Agnes Lee as senior private markets consultants in Hong Kong. As part of the company’s private markets research team, they will focus on helping private equity firms and other...
Saban Capital Group takes 5% stake in Media Nusantara
Saban Capital Group, the Los Angeles-based private equity firm controlled by billionaire Haim Saban, has purchased a 5% stake in PT Media Nusantara Citra from PT Global Mediacom for INR692 billion ($78.2 million). Saban Capital, which is investing through...
Aureos sells Thai wastewater purification firm ECM
The Aureos South East Asia Fund has exited its stake in Thai industrial wastewater purification firm Environmental Care Management (ECM) to an undisclosed consortium of investors for $3.7 million.
BC Partners not ruling out an IPO for Fitness First
UK-based BC Partners still plans to list gym chain Fitness First in Asia if a buyer is not found, according to sources familiar with the situation. This comes one week after the private equity investor called off Fitness First’s planned IPO in Singapore...
Mekong Capital exits hotel decorator AA Corporation
Mekong Capital, a Vietnam-focused private equity fund, has exited its 100% stake in luxury furniture maker and hotel decorator AA Corporation to an undisclosed investment fund. It has achieved a gross return multiple of 2x and a gross IRR of approximately...
KKR appoints former Singaporean minister as adviser
Former Singaporean politician and minister to the prime minister’s office Lim Hwee Hua has been appointed senior adviser to KKR.
Contour Energy gets Asia PE backing for battery development
California-based next-generation battery developer Contour Energy Systems has closed a more than $20 million Series C round of financing led Singapore-based EDBI. CMEA Capital, Harris & Harris, Schlumberger and US Venture Partners, along with new investor...
Fund formation: Singapore asserts its onshore qualities
Asia-focused private equity players from the likes of India and Australia are becoming fans of Singapore’s tax-efficient offshore structures
SBI makes first foray into Cambodia
Japanese Financial Group SBI Holdings has entered Cambodia through the creation of a private equity fund in partnership with Royal Group, the country’s largest conglomerate. It is SBI’s second overseas joint venture vehicle this year, following the...
Profile: Saratoga's Sandi Uno
Saratoga Capital’s founder Sandi Uno is passionate about his country’s growth and is looking for ways to invest for the greater good
PE-backed Affle gets $10m from Japan's D2 Communications
Japanese mobile advertising company D2 Communications (D2C) has invested more than $10 million in Singapore-headquartered Asian mobile media firm Affle. It joins existing backers Microsoft, Itochu Corp., Bennett Coleman & Company and Centurion Private...
Baring group looks to exit Singapore-based Courts Asia
A unit backed by Baring Private Equity and a consortium of investors is looking to sell Singapore-based furniture and electronics franchise Courts Asia for more than S$500 million ($382 million).
BC Partners scraps listing plan for Fitness First, seeks buyers
European private equity investor BC Partners has canceled its planned GBP$1 billion ($1.6 billion) listing of global gym chain Fitness First on the Singapore Stock Exchange, and is now seeking buyers for the asset.
Navis plans for King's Safetywear exit - report
Navis Capital seeking buyers for Southeast Asian footwear brand King’s Safetywear.