Southeast Asia
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,...
Abraaj exits Philippines hospital DMMC
The Abraaj Group has made a full exit from Daniel O. Mercado Medical Center (DMMC), a tertiary care hospital based in the Philippines. The exit is said to have been through a buy-back arrangement with the Mercado family.
Ancora closes Indonesia fund at $128m
Indonesia-focused GP Ancora Capital has made a final close on its second fund at $128 million. The vehicle is currently 40% deployed, having made three investments since its launch in early 2011.
Lombard closes fourth Asia fund at $350m hard cap
Lombard Investments has closed its fourth Asia fund at the hard cap for institutional commitments of $350 million after 18 months in the market. It will make growth-oriented investments in companies formed and operated in Southeast Asia.
Veronica John joins placement agent Diamond Dragon
Veronica John, previously a senior advisor to Vietnam-focused private equity firm Mekong Capital, has joined placement agent Diamond Dragon Advisors as a senior advisor based in Singapore.
Malaysia’s Ekuinas to back five local PE managers
Ekuinas, a private equity investor backed by the Malaysian government, will make LP commitments to funds raised by five local PE firms. Four of the five – Tael Parnters, RM Capital Partners, Tuas Capital Partners and CMS Opus Private Equity – will...
Quadria reaches first close on South, Southeast Asia healthcare fund
Quadria Capital has reached a first close of $107 million on its second fund, which invests in mid-size healthcare companies in South and Southeast Asia. This is the first vehicle the GP has raised independently, its predecessor being the Milestone Religare...
Armstrong reaches $130m third close on SE Asia energy fund
Netherlands Development Finance Company FMO, the Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets (SIFEM) and the IFC Catalyst Fund will invest about $45 million to Armstrong Asset Management's Southeast Asia cleantech fund, bringing the total capital raised...
Commercial Intelligence targets $150m for Asia, Africa litigation fund
Specialist distressed debt and litigation investor Commercial Intelligence Funds Group (CI) is launching an Asia- and Africa-focused fund with a target of $150 million. A first close is planned for the end of 2013.
KV Asia closes debut fund above target at $263m - update
KV Asia Capital has closed its debut fund at $263 million, exceeding the initial target of $250 million. The capital will be deployed in mid-size companies in Southeast Asia.
Phillip Capital takes stake in Indonesian equipment finance business
Singapore-based Phillip Capital Group has acquired a 9.71% stake in Intan Baruprana Finance (IBF), the financing arm of Indonesian heavy equipment distributor Intraco Penta, through a rights issue. Transaction value was not disclosed.
Armstrong commits $30m to Thai solar, biogas projects
Southeast Asian cleantech investor Armstrong Asset Management has committed $30 million to solar and biogas projects being developed by Thailand’s Annex Power. The capital will be used to expand the company’s engineering, procurement and construction...
Everstone-backed beauty brand VLCC makes Singapore bolt-on
VLCC, the Asian health and beauty brand backed by Indian GP Everstone Capital, has bought an 80% stake in Global Vantaage Innovative Group (GVig), a Singapore-based firm that manufactures personal care and skincare products as well as cosmetics. It is...
Singapore’s GIC refines investment approach
GIC Private, the Singaporean sovereign wealth fund, has recalibrated its investment framework, splitting its portfolio into three strategies intended to strike a balance between its risk and return expectations, long-term investment objectives and desire...
DBS abandons takeover bid for Indonesia’s Bank Danamon
Singapore’s DBS Group has abandoned its $7.3 billion takeover bid for Indonesia’s Bank Danamon after deciding the regulatory hurdles were insurmountable.
Japan's Meiji Yasuda beats PE to Thai Life stake
Japan’s Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance has agreed to buy a 15% stake in Thai Life Insurance for an undisclosed sum, thought to be in the region of $750 million. Other participants in the auction reportedly included the Carlyle Group, KKR and CVC Capital...
Creador set for $105m first close on Fund II
India and Southeast Asia-focused GP Creador is expected to reach a first close of $105 million on its second fund by mid to late August. The full target is $250 million.
Singapore’s GIC announces name change
Singapore sovereign wealth fund Government of Singapore Investment Corporation Private Limited has changed its legal name to GIC Private Limited.
Jungle Ventures secures TravelMob exit
Four years ago, Asia Pacific became the world’s largest aviation market, with 647 million travelers taking flights within the region compared to 638 million in North America. This growth shows no sign of slowing down – in the first four months of...
Caffeinated returns: Private equity's coffee shop craving
Private equity is already leveraging the growing popularity of coffee shops across Asia. But where is the next frontier – and is it all about the coffee?