Southeast Asia
Unleashing Malaysia
Malaysia’s underlying macroeconomic fundamentals suggest a strong appeal to private equity but deal flow remains modest. Can more opportunities be unlocked in the mid-market?
Q&A: Infocomm Development Authority's Steve Leonard
Singapore has introduced a slew of initiatives as part of efforts to become a technology hub. Steve Leonard, executive deputy chairman of the government-backed Infocomm Development Authority (IDA), explains how and why
Singapore start-ups: Touching greatness
At least four Singapore-headquartered start-ups have four years of operations behind them and are worth at least $100 million. Which businesses have the skill and scale to be the next big thing?
Trade sales in Southeast Asia: Expansion imperative
Companies from within and outside Southeast Asia are scouring the region for M&A opportunities as they seek to capitalize on regional growth. It means a wider variety of trade sale options for PE investors
Cross-border PE: The ASEAN angle
Ambitions of building scale underpin many private equity investments in Southeast Asia. It is remarkable – although perhaps unsurprising – how few have succeeded. So far, at least.
Temasek ups investment pace, boosts unlisted exposure
Temasek Holdings’ exposure to unlisted assets reached a record high as the state-controlled Singaporean fund made S$24 billion ($19.3 billion) in new investments for the year ended March 2014, the most in six years.
Navis acquires Singapore oil and gas components maker
Navis Capital Partners has acquired a majority stake in Tri-Star Industries, a Singapore-headquartered component manufacturer for the oil and gas sector. AVCJ understands the deal is worth $50-100 million.
Tembusu Partners backs Indonesia coal player
Singapore-based private equity firm Tembusu Partners has invested $7.5 million in Param Mitra Coal Resources (PMCR), which owns two operating coal mines in Indonesia.
Creador Fund II to reach final close in August
India and Southeast Asia-focused GP Creador is set for a final close of $250 million on its second fund in August, having already raised $220 million.
OPIC backs Quadria healthcare fund, CX India mezzanine vehicle
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) has made commitments to Quadria Capital South and Southeast Asia-focused healthcare fund and CX Partners’ India mezzanine fund.
GGV leads $15m round for Southeast Asia taxi-booking app
GGV Capital has led a Series B round of funding worth more than $15 million for GrabTaxi, a Southeast Asia-focused taxi-booking mobile phone app.
Sequoia raises $530m for India fund
Sequoia Capital has raised $530 million for its fourth India-focused fund, which has an expanded remit to take in opportunities in Southeast Asia as well.
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.
KKR agrees $1.1b deal for Singapore's Goodpack
KKR has agreed to buy Goodpack, the world’s largest manufacturer of intermediate bulk containers (IBCs), for S$1.4 billion ($1.1 billion). It plans to delist the company from the Singapore exchange.
IMC PE unit invests in Singapore's Q&M Dental
Heritas Helios Investments (HHI), a healthcare PE fund seeded by Singaporean conglomerate IMC, has acquired a 10% stake in Q&M Dental Group from existing shareholders for S$30 million ($24 million).
Standard Chartered commits $50m to Indonesia hospital business
Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE) has agreed to invest up to $50 million to support an Indonesian healthcare business being developed by domestic media giant Emtek Group.
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.
Everstone to buy Indonesia Domino's Pizza franchise
Everstone Capital, an India- and Southeast Asia-focused PE firm, has agreed to buy a majority stake in the Indonesia franchise for Domino’s Pizza from domestic retailer Mitra Adiperkasa (MAP).
KKR in talks to buy Singapore packaging company - report
KKR is said to be in advanced talks to buy Goodpack, the world’s largest manufacturer of intermediate bulk containers. The Singapore-listed company has a market capitalization of around S$1.3 billion ($1.1 billion).
Armstrong commits $40m to Mekong region wind, solar projects
Southeast Asia-focused cleantech investor Armstrong Asset Management will commit up to US$40 million in equity to support the construction of wind and solar projects in the Mekong region.
CIMB PE backs Malaysian education provider
CIMB Private Equity has acquired a 33% stake in REAL Education Group, a Malaysia-based private schools operator, for MYR33 million ($10.2 million).
TPG, Khazanah invest $132m in Philippines housing developer
TPG Capital and Malaysian sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional have together invested PHP5.8 billion ($132 million) in Philippines-based housing developer 8990 Holdings.
Monk's Hill Ventures launches $80m Southeast Asia fund
Monk’s Hill Ventures, a Singapore-based VC firm, has launched a S$100 million ($80 million) fund to support the growth of start-ups in Southeast Asia.
Portfolio: Standard Chartered and Navigat
Supported by Standard Chartered, Indonesia-based Navigat has evolved from a gas power equipment distributor into a fully-fledged independent power provider, serving geographies that others can’t reach