Middle East & North Africa

KKR signs Turkey’s largest deal(2)

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, the US buyout firm, has bought UN Ro-Ro in its first transaction in Turkey, making it the latest firm to gain exposure to the country and the neighbouring MENA region.

JS closes $158m Pakistan fund

Attracting a wide-ranging investor base, the Pakistani investment firm has closed its first domestic fund. In spite of the assassination of electoral candidate Benazir Bhutto, the fund’s management believes investors with a long-term view can seize an opportunity.

The emerging trend is your friend(2)

As established private equity markets slow in the wake of the credit crunch, global firms are looking further afield and local emerging market managers know this is no flash in the pan, Nicholas Lockley writes.

Veritas exits stake in defence contractor(4)

Veritas Capital has sold defence contractor Athena Innovative Solutions to CACI International for an undisclosed amount.

Och-Ziff teams with South African tycoon

The publicly listed alternative assets manager will invest in Africa’s natural resources via a joint venture with Tokyo Sexwale’s Mvelaphanda Holdings and Africa-focussed Palladino Holdings.

Saudi prince backs $500m Zephyr fund(2)

Zephyr Management has quadrupled its African fundraising efforts. The fund has a $250 million cornerstone investment from Saudi Arabian listed firm Kingdom Holding, led by prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Alsaud.

Sainsbury’s family demands adequate pensions settlement(4)

Qatari investment company Three Delta may be thwarted in its attempts to buy UK supermarket Sainsbury’s by the founding Sainsbury family. The family has reiterated in a statement that its acceptance of any bid is conditional on the Qatari firm providing an adequate pensions settlement.

DFJ continues global expansion(3)

Two weeks after announcing its newly-formed Russian affiliate, Draper Fisher Jurvetson has established an Israel fund in conjunction with Israeli VC firm Tamir Fishman Ventures.

Denham recruits ex-Nomura head for London push(3)

Denham Capital Management is the latest US power industry investor to set up a London office, after recruiting the former head of energy at Japanese bank Nomura International Louis van Pletsen.

Sharia-compliant MENASA fund holds $200m first close

Bahrain’s Ithmaar Bank, Shamil Bank and the Islamic Investment Company have held a first close on their mutli-strategy private equity fund targeting $500 million.