Southeast Asia
CapAsia JV sells stake in Thai toll road operator
CapAsia and Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ have sold their minority stake in Thailand’s Don Muang Tollway (DMT) for $132 million to a newly announced joint venture between Hong Kong-based First Pacific and Philippines infrastructure developer Metro Pacific...
Armstrong's cleantech breakthrough
When it took its maiden Southeast Asia Clean Energy Fund on the road mid 2011, Armstrong Asset Management was sailing into unchartered waters. While there have been other renewable energy funds active in the region, many have benefited from either a broader...
PAG eyes Southeast Asia, targets $1b in realizations - AVCJ Forum
PAG, a pan-Asian GP that has so far invested only in China, expects to break into the Southeast Asia market within the next year. Weijian Shan, the firm’s chairman and CEO, added that the team is also on course to realize in excess of $1 billion from...
Armstrong reaches $164m final close on SE Asia cleantech fund
Armstrong Asset Management has reached a final close of $164 million on its Southeast Asia Clean Energy Fund. With additional commitments coming from French development finance institution (DFI) Proparco and Geneva-based Unigestion, the fund was able...
KPMG's Australia PE head switches to Singapore role
Andrew Thompson, head of private equity at KPMG Australia, is relocating to Singapore where he will take up a Southeast Asia-focused position with the firm.
Q&A: CVC Capital Partners' Sigit Prasetya
Sigit Prasetya, managing partner at CVC Capital Partners, on why recent volatility in Indonesia shouldn’t concern PE investors, negotiating auctions and lofty valuations, and working with Southeast Asia’s family groups
Investment: Southeast Asia's family footholds
By most measures, Southeast Asia is under-penetrated by private equity. If deal flow expectations are to be met, investors must tap local networks for openings in and around the family conglomerates
Five trends worth watching
When we look back at 2013 it will probably be described as a slow year for Asian private equity. Statistics on all major PE activities in the region have fallen substantially.
Malaysian government unit to raise $95m infrastructure fund
Pelaburan Mara, the investment and asset management arm of the Malaysian government’s Majlis Amanah Rakyat agency, plans to launch a MYR300 million ($94.9 million) private equity infrastructure fund early next year to invest in the social infrastructure...
CLSA's cleantech fund hires water-focused operating partner
CLSA Capital Partners has appointed Dr. Richard Woodling, previously director of global research and development at Siemens’ water R&D center in Singapore, as an operating partner in the Clean Resources Asia Growth Fund (CRAGF).
Malaysia rising
It's been a few years since Southeast Asia, spurred by rising interest in Indonesia, emerged as the hottest region for LPs seeking private equity exposure. While the frenzy has eased recently, the region remains an attractive location, especially for...
Malaysian financial comparison start-up gets $2m
Jungle Ventures has led a $2 million round of Series A funding for iMoney, a Malaysia-based financial comparison start-up. Other investors include IMJ Fenox, Fenox Venture Capital, Redbright Partners, 500 Startups and Vogel Ventures, as well as German...
Falcon House's Indonesia breakthrough
When the team behind Falcon House came together three years ago they were eyeing Indonesia’s underserved middle market. Drawing on local experience across corporate restructuring, PE and infrastructure, the principals thought they could make the breakthrough...
On the shoulders of giants: DFIs and first-time funds
Backing from a development finance institution can be the making of a first-time GP in a far-flung jurisdiction. Working with this kind of LP, however, comes with its own set of challenges
Blackstone opens Singapore office
The Blackstone Group has opened an office in Singapore, extending its footprint into Southeast Asia. The move comes as global private equity firms place increased emphasis on the region.
CIC agrees $1.3b debt-for-equity swap with Bumi Resources
China Investment Corporation (CIC) has agreed a debt-for-equity swap worth $1.3 billion with embattled Indonesian miner Bumi Resources.
KKR invests $200m in Malaysia's Weststar Aviation
KKR has completed its first investment in Malaysia, paying approximately MYR642 million ($200 million) for a substantial minority stake in Weststar Aviation Services (WAS). It is also the first investment from KKR Asian Fund II, a $6 billion vehicle that...
Creador makes SE Asia e-payment breakthrough
Creador spent a couple of years looking for ways to enter Southeast Asia’s electronic payments space without much success. “We are a firm believer that there is a shift from cash to credit and debit solutions and e-commerce will push this to the next...
Online tourism: Ticket to ride
Online tourism is on the rise in emerging Asia and numerous venture-backed businesses are looking to hitch a ride on the consumer growth trend. The key is finding the right niche
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
Creador to take 20% stake in Malaysia's GHL, back e-pay acquisition
Creador will take a 20% stake in Malaysia-based payment services provider GHL Systems through a private placement of new shares. The capital will in part be used to finance GHL’s proposed acquisition of Australian Securities Exchange-listed e-pay Asia....
Northstar Group seeks to raise $1b Southeast Asia fund
Northstar Group, the Singapore-based private equity firm backed by TPG Capital, is looking to raise around $1 billion for its fourth fund, which will focus on Southeast Asia.
Q&A: Standard Chartered Bank's Andrew Yee
Andrew Yee, global head of infrastructure at Standard Chartered Bank's principal finance division, gives his views on investment opportunities across Asia, where private equity must work in and around large corporates
The Asia real assets story
It is difficult to tell whether Asia is at the beginning of a real assets story or negotiating a transition phase somewhere around the middle. "Real assets" is such an all-encompassing term, taking in everything from forestry to energy to real estate,...