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The Abraaj Group Exits Investment in Hot Pot Through an IPO on the Thai Stock Exchange (Asia)
The Abraaj Group, a private equity investment firm focused on global growth markets, has announced its exit from Thai restaurant chain Hot Pot through an initial public offering on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. The Abraaj Group invested in the chain through its first Southeast Asia fund in 2006, and the investment allowed Hot Pot to introduce a new central… Read More
Focus Media Holding Enters into Definitive Merger Agreement for Going Private (Asia)
Chinese digital media operator Focus Media has agreed to a merger agreement with holding company Giovanna Parent and its subsidiary Giovanna Acquisition, in which Focus Media will be acquired for US$27.50 per American Depositary Share (equivalent to five ordinary shares). Following the merger, Giovanna Parent will be owned by Focus Media chairman Jason Nanchun Jiang and funds associated with a… Read More
TVM Capital MENA Announces New Investment in Cambridge Medical and Rehabilitation Center (MENA)
TVM Capital MENA, a U.A.E.-based healthcare and pharmaceutical sector-focused private equity firm, has invested in Cambridge Medical and Rehabilitation Center (CMRC), a local medical and rehabilitative treatment center, alongside Saudi investment firm The Olayan Group and Al Zarooni Emirates Investments. CMRC will use the funding to expand its long-term rehabilitative services for children and adults. Financial details of the transaction… Read More
OPIC Board Approves US$40 Million for Investment Fund to Support SMEs in Russia (CEE and CIS)
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the development finance arm of the U.S. government, has approved a US$40 million commitment to CapMan Russia II, a Russia-focused private equity fund managed by Finland-based CapMan Group. The capital is intended to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Russia’s outer provinces. CapMan Russia II is seeking EUR175 million (approximately US$227 million) in… Read More
Denham Capital to Sell Interests in GNPower Mariveles Power Plant (Asia)
Global energy-focused private equity firm Denham Capital has agreed to sell its holdings in Filipino coal-fueled power plant GNPower Mariveles to Philippines-based conglomerate Ayala Corporation for US$155 million. Denham first invested in the 600 megawatt plant in June 2007 alongside power project developer Power Partners. The project has previously received financing from Chinese and Filipino banks. Read More
KKR Raises US$6 Billion Asia Fund (Asia)
Global investment firm KKR has raised US$6 billion for its second Asia-focused private equity fund. The fund will invest in growth and buyout transactions across Asia, including China, India and Southeast Asia. The latest fund follows KKR’s first pan-Asia private equity fund, which closed with US$4 billion in capital commitments in 2007. Read More
XSML Invests in Central African Republic Transport Company (Sub-Saharan Africa)
SME-focused private equity fund manager XSML has invested in Bamara Transports DJ, a road transport company in the Central African Republic, through its Central Africa SME Fund (CASF). The investment will enable Bamara to purchase two new trucks, two trailers and construct an 800 liter diesel fuel tank. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More
Bharti Infratel Prices IPO, Raising About US$764 Million (Asia)
Indian telecommunications infrastructure company Bharti Infratel has priced an initial public offering, raising approximately US$764 million from institutional and retail investors. Bharti Infratel issued new shares, to be listed on India’s National Stock Exchange and the Bombay Stock Exchange, that reportedly amount to over three-quarters of the 188.9 million shares sold. The remainder of the shares comes from four existing… Read More
Hony Invests in China International Marine Containers (Asia)
Chinese private equity firm Hony Capital has acquired a 5.16 percent stake in China International Marine Containers (CIMC), a state-owned manufacturer of shipping containers that is in the process of transferring its listing from the Shenzhen Stock Exchange to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Broad Ride, a subsidiary of Hony Capital Fund V, was selected to provide cash options to… Read More
Sequoia, IDG Ventures Invest US$9.2 Million in iCreate (Asia)
Global venture capital firms IDG Ventures and Sequoia Capital are investing INR500 million (approximately US$9.2 million) in iCreate Software, an Indian data analytics software developer. iCreate focuses on the banking sector and plans to use the funds to expand its product portfolio and move into overseas markets. IDG Ventures had previously invested INR150 million (approximately US$2.8 million) in iCreate in… Read More
Carlyle Pares Stake in Kaisa as Chinese Developers Rally (Asia)
The Carlyle Group has reduced its stake in Chinese property company Kaisa Group Holdings by selling 216 million shares in the company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The shares reportedly comprised half of Carlyle’s stake in Kaisa and were acquired during its 2007 investment in the company. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed, but a term sheet… Read More
Consortium Invests in Russia’s Karo Film Group (CEE and CIS)
A consortium of investors, including Russian private equity firm Baring Vostok Capital Partners, Russian asset manager UFG Asset Management, the government-owned Russian Direct Investment Fund and media entrepreneur Paul Heth, has acquired a controlling stake in Russia’s Karo Film Group. Karo owns and operates 31 movie theaters with 197 total screens across Russia, and the investor consortium will support a… Read More