GPCA covers the latest fund, investment and industry news across our markets in two newsletters: NewsWatch is a weekly round-up of key transactions across asset classes; the Global Tech Brief is a bi-weekly review of tech transactions and innovations with cross-border applications. Subscribe in the left-hand sidebar.
Access past editions of NewsWatch here.
Blackstone Announces Acquisition of a Majority Stake in Maldivian Air Taxi and Trans Maldivian Airwa
Global investment and advisory firm The Blackstone Group has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in two seaplane operators in the Maldives, Maldivian Air Taxi and Trans Maldivian Airways, through one of its private equity funds. The two airlines operate a combined total of 44 seaplanes catering to the Maldivian tourism industry. Financial details of the transaction were not… Read More
RRJ Capital Buys Hong Kong-based Children’s Wear Retailer Kingkow (Asia)
Asia-focused private equity firm RRJ Capital has purchased a 75 percent stake in Hong Kong’s SKC Group, the owner of children’s wear retailer Kingkow. Kingkow operates stores in Hong Kong, mainland China, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore and Thailand. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. RRJ has reportedly raised US$3.5 billion for its second Asia-focused buyout fund, RRJ Capital Master… Read More
Credence Fund II Achieves Final Close at SGD200 Million (Asia)
Singapore-based private equity firm Credence Partners has held a final close on its second Southeast Asia-focused private equity fund, Credence Fund II, with SGD200 million (approximately US$161.6 million) in commitments. The fund will invest in growth stage companies in the manufacturing, information communication technologies, services, logistics and consumer sectors. Since its first close in July 2012, the fund has invested… Read More
Abraaj Backs Ugandan Pharmacy Chain (Sub-Saharan Africa)
Emerging markets private equity firm The Abraaj Group has invested in Ugandan pharmacy retail chain Vine Pharmaceuticals through its US$105.4 million Africa Health Fund. Vine currently operates 21 stores, and Abraaj’s investment is intended to help Vine gain a larger share of the Ugandan market. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More
Amethis Finance Holds First Close for Africa Fund (Africa)
Africa-focused private investment fund Amethis Finance has held a first close with US$140 million in equity commitments. Shareholders in the fund include the Edmond de Rothschild group, other banks and financial institutions, corporates and family offices from the United States, Europe and the Mediterranean. Additionally, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the development finance institution of the U.S. government, has… Read More
WAMEX Announces Investment in Productos Medix (Latin America)
WAMEX Private Equity, a Mexican private equity firm, has invested US$32 million in Productos Medix, a Mexican pharmaceuticals manufacturer. Productos Medix has a portfolio of over 50 pharmaceutical products, prescribed throughout Mexico, Colombia and Argentina, for patients with obesity-related problems. The investment was made via WAMEX’s Multinational Industrial Fund II (MIF II), a US$160 million Mexico-focused private equity fund. Read More
ePlanet Capital Sells Sree Ramicides to SDS Biotech (Asia)
Global venture and growth capital investor ePlanet Capital has sold its stake in Indian chemical manufacturer Sree Ramicides Chemicals to Japanese agrochemical company SDS Biotech for INR1 billion (approximately US$18.5 million). ePlanet acquired its stake in 2008 for US$4.5 million, earning a cash-on-cash return of over 4x from the exit. Read More
Tata Capital Buys 19 Percent Stake in Marck Biosciences (Asia)
India-focused private equity firm Tata Capital has acquired a 19 percent stake in Indian pharmaceutical company Marck Biosciences through a combination of direct and secondary transactions. Tata directly invested INR450 million (approximately US$8.3 million) in Marck for a 13 percent stake and purchased the remaining 6 percent from Indian venture capital firm IFCI Venture Capital Funds for an undisclosed amount.… Read More
Baring Private Equity Asia Increases Stake in Magic Holdings (Asia)
Asia-focused private equity firm Baring Private Equity Asia has increased its stake in Chinese cosmetics and skincare products manufacturer Magic Holdings. Baring purchased over 7.3 million shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange for HKD22.3 million (approximately US$2.9 million) through Baring Asia Private Equity Fund V, raising its stake from 20.31 percent to 21.03 percent. Read More
Global Environment Fund Adds Sulanji Siwale to Africa Team
January 29, 2013 CHEVY CHASE, Md. — Global Environment Fund (GEF) announced today that Sulanji Siwale has joined the firm as a Managing Director based in Johannesburg, South Africa, as a member of the team that is executing GEF’s private equity investment program in Sub-Saharan Africa. Mr. Siwale has 18 years of investment experience across the continent of Africa. He… Read More
IFC Invests US$29 Million in Brazilian Fund Gávea Crédito Estruturado FIDC (Latin America)
International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector development arm of the World Bank Group, has committed BRL60 million (approximately US$29 million) to Gávea Crédito Estruturado FIDC, a private credit fund managed by Brazilian asset management firm Gávea Investimentos. The fund will provide long-term superior, mezzanine subordinated and junior subordinated debt to companies in Brazil, drawing the capital from institutional investors… Read More
Altra Investments Closes Second Fund (Latin America and the Caribbean)
Altra Investments, a buyout firm focused on the Andean region, has announced the final close of its second private equity fund, Altra Private Equity Fund II, with US$355.8 million in capital commitments. The fund raised capital from public and private pension funds, funds of funds, family offices, sovereign wealth funds, endowments and foundations. Altra’s strategy is to acquire controlling stakes… Read More