MENA
Oman-India fund commits $15.3m to India's GSO Crop Science
The Oman India Joint Investment Fund (OIJIF) has invested INR950 million ($15.3 million) in GSP Crop Science, an Indian agro-chemicals company.
China’s Baidu, Ping An, Qihoo360 invest in Israeli VC fund
Israeli VC firm Carmel Ventures has reached a $194 million final close on its latest VC fund with participation Chinese tech giants Baidu and Qihoo360 as well as insurer Ping An Group.
Australian VC firm Square Peg plans global push
Square Peg Capital, the Australia-based venture capital firm founded by the co-founder of job search site Seek is looking to expand overseas, with plans to invest up to A$100 million a year in Israel and the US.
China-Israel fund invests $42m in Swiss tool maker
Catalyst CEL Fund, a joint venture between China Everbright and Israel-based Catalyst Equity Management, will invest approximately $42 million in Lamina Technologies, a Switzerland-based tool manufacturer.
JBIC, Mitsubishi take stake in Middle East water company
The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) has joined Mitsubishi Corp. and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in acquiring a stake in Middle Eastern water treatment firm Metito.
Clearwater sells jack-up rig to Middle East buyer
Asia special situations investor Clearwater Capital Partners has sold a jack-up rig built in a Singapore shipyard to a drilling services partnership between the Saudi Arabian government and Schlumberger.
Apax benefits from Bright Food’s ambition
Apax Partners' 6x return on its investment in Israel-based Tnuva Food Industries has been hard earned.
Abraaj invests in Thai education provider
The Abraaj Group has acquired an undisclosed stake in KPN Academy, an out-of-school education service provider in Thailand.
Apax sells Israeli food company to China's Bright Food
Apax Partners has agreed to sell a 56% stake in Israel-based Tnuva Food Industries to Bright Food Group as the Chinese company continues to expand its business overseas.
Kerogen invests $100m in Kurdistan oil developer
Hong Kong-based energy investor Kerogen Capital has invested $100 million in HKN Holding, which owns HKN Energy, an oil and gas developer with an exclusive focus on Kurdistan.
Q&A: The Abraaj Group's Aman Lakhaney
The Abraaj Group’s acquisition of Aureos Capital last year was a massive short cut to a larger Asia presence. Aman Lakhaney, director at The Abraaj Group, explains the firm’s approach to non-BRIC emerging markets
India’s Tata Capital to launch $300m Africa fund
Tata Capital plans to launch an Africa private equity fund with initial capital of about $300 million. It will focus on consumer goods, agriculture and agri-processing.
Horizons, Infinity, IFC invest $65m in Israeli bio-agritech firm Kaiima
Kaiima Bio-Agritech, an Israel-based seed and breeding technology firm, has raised over $65 million from three new investors including Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-Shing’s Horizons Ventures, International Financial Corporation (IFC), and Infinity Group....
Asia travel search engine Wego gets $17m in Series C funding
Crescent Point has led a Series C round of funding worth $17 million for Wego, an Asia travel search engine. Victoria Capital and existing investor Tiger Global also participated.
Former ADB executive named EMPEA CEO
The Emerging Markets Private Equity Association (EMPEA) has named Robert W. van Zwieten as its president and CEO, following the departure of founding president Sarah Alexander earlier this year. His appointment is effective immediately.
Kuwait-based Asiya launches Hong Kong operation
Kuwait’s Asiya Investments has opened a Hong Kong office, only its third service center globally, in response to rising demand from Arab investors for exposure to Asia.
CDIB Capital backs duty-free operator Flemingo International
CDIB Capital has invested $19.9 million in Dubai-based travel retail operator Flemingo International.
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...
Saudi Arabia’s Kingdom Holdings leads $400m round for 360Buy
Chinese online retailer 360Buy has raised $400 million through a Series F round of funding led by Kingdom Holding, an investment company controlled by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, a Saudi Arabian billionaire.
China's Cathay Fortune abandons Discovery Metals bid
Cathay Fortune Corporation (CFC), the private equity group founded by Chinese billionaire Yong Yu, has abandoned its A$830 million ($848 million) takeover bid for Australian copper miner Discovery Metals. Discovery shares plummeted as much as 7.5% to...
EMPEA’s Alexander to join Abraaj
Sarah Alexander, CEO of the Emerging Markets Private Equity Association (EMPEA), has agreed to join The Abraaj Group as a managing director. EMPEA’s executive committee has recommended that Jennifer Choi, currently vice president of industry and external...
ADIA hires new head of principal investments
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) has appointed Colm Lanigan as head of principal investments in its private equities department. Working alongside senior management, Lanigan is responsible for the identification, execution and management of direct...
Carlyle’s General Lighting completes Malaysia acquisition
General Lighting (GLC), a Saudi Arabia-based portfolio company of The Carlyle Group, has agreed to buy Davex, Malaysia’s largest lighting fixtures manufacturer and supplier, for MYR183 million ($60 million). The company sees the acquisition as a platform...
ADIA hires Axa executive for emerging markets PE
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) has poached Axa Private Equity COO Christophe Florin to head up its emerging markets private equity team. He led Axa’s Asian operations between 2005 and 2008.