Southeast Asia
IFC backs Vietnam's Pan Pacific Corp
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has invested $6.5 million in Vietnamese agribusiness and food conglomerate Pan Pacific Corp. in exchange for a 5% stake.
Two partners leave Indonesia’s Saratoga Capital
Indonesia-focused GP Saratoga Capital has lost two of its five partners, with Eri Reksoprodjo departing the firm at the end of December and Nigel Khoo scheduled to leave in February.
Creador, SMRT seek buyout of Malaysia’s Masterskill Education
Creador and SMRT Holdings have agreed to buy a 30.75% stake in Malaysia-based Masterskill Education Group from the major shareholder for MYR69.4 million ($19.2 million) and now plan on completing a full buyout of the business.
Xeraya, Spruce in $150m first close on second life sciences fund
Khazanah Nasional-controlled Xeraya Capital and Spruce Capital Partners have reached a first close of $150 million on MLS Capital Fund II, successor to the vintage Malaysian Life Sciences Capital Fund, which is now fully allocated.
Rocket Internet, PLDT set up online payments platform
Rocket Internet and Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) have agreed to form a joint venture mobile payments platform with a focus on emerging markets.
CVC returns $2b to investors from Asia deals in 2014
CVC Capital Partners returned $2 billion to investors from Asia-based investments in 2014 after completing three full or partial exits – which contributed $1 billion of the proceeds – in December.
Thai Union buys Bumble Bee from Lion Capital for $1.5b
Thai Union Frozen Products, the world’s largest producer of canned seafood, has agreed to buy Bumble Bee Seafoods from US-based GP Lion Capital for $1.5 billion.
Lombard, Leapfrog buy RSA's stake in Thai insurer
Lombard Investments and LeapFrog Investments have acquired a 21.75% stake in Thailand’s Syn Mun Kong Insurance (SMK) from Royal & Sun Alliance Group (RSA) for THB1.89 billion ($57.5 million).
Harjit Bhatia rejoins Asia Growth Capital Advisors
Harjit Bhatia has returned to Asia Growth Capital Advisors (AGCA) as executive chairman. He left the firm in 2012 to become managing partner and CEO at PineBridge Asia Partners.
2014 in review: A year of record-setting
Strong capital markets facilitate bumper exit activity; pan-regionals, venture capital dominate fundraising; China’s leads revival in growth capital investment, with Korea still buyout central
CVC to sell most of its stake in Philippines lender RCBC
CVC Capital Partners is set to make a partial exit from Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) as Cathay Life Insurance confirmed it had agreed to buy a 20% stake in the Philippines lender for PHP17.92 billion ($400.5 million).
PE-backed Maxpower sells stake in Myanmar unit to Mitsui
Mitsui & Co. has acquired a 44% stake in the Myanmar business of Maxpower Group, a Southeast Asia –focused gas power plant developer backed by Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE).
SoftBank invests $250m in Southeast Asia’s GrabTaxi
Japanese tech giant SoftBank Corp. has committed $250 million to GrabTaxi, becoming the largest investor in the Southeast Asia-focused mobile taxi-booking platform.
Southeast Asia's Lazada rockets past $700m mark
“We go in with a certain hypothesis of growth and revenue. Sometimes you’re not able to guess how the market will react. If the hypothesis is not confirmed within 3-6 months then we decide to pull out.”
Temasek leads $249m round for SE Asia-focused Lazada
Temasek Holdings has led a EUR200 million ($249 million) round of funding for Lazada, a Southeast Asia-focused online retailer set up by Germany’s Rocket Internet.
Financial technology accelerator launches in Singapore
Startupbootcamp FinTech, a Europe-based accelerator that focuses on financial technology, has launched an Asian program in Singapore.
Convergence Accel launches $25m Indonesia VC fund
Jakarta-based VC firm Convergence Accel has launched a $25 million debut fund that will invest in Indonesian early-stage technology companies.
Private debt: Enforcement issues
Investors see great potential in Asia’s private debt markets, but some GPs and LPs’ attitudes towards downside protection and enforceability keep them out of emerging markets
RRJ leads $1b investment in Cheniere Energy
RRJ Capital has agreed to invest $1 billion in convertible notes issued by Cheniere Energy, a US-based liquefied natural gas (LNG) producer.
GIC invests $391m in Philippines liquor producer Emperador
GIC Private has agreed to pay PHP17.6 billion ($391 million) for a 9.64% stake in Emperador (EMP), a Philippines-based liquor producer. Its parent is Alliance Global, a conglomerate controlled by local businessman Andrew Tan.
Abraaj buys Southeast Asia’s Wine Connection Group
The Abraaj Group has acquired a majority stake in the Wine Connection Group, a Southeast Asia-focused food and beverage chain.
Asian start-up hubs: Global mandates
Innovation hubs have traditionally been defined by the size of their immediately addressable market. But with better access to capital, information and technology, some Asian jurisdictions are going global
Succession-planning deals: A matter of legacy
Long a feature of the developed markets private equity, succession-planning opportunities are beginning to pop up in emerging Asia. Regardless of geography, convincing a founder to sell his business is a challenge
Lombard invests in Vietnam seafood producer
Lombard has invested an undisclosed sum in Viet Uc Seafood, Vietnam’s leading shrimp seed producer. It will help the company optimize operations as it seeks to become a fully-integrated shrimp producer.