Middle East & North Africa

Investcorp enjoys record year(2)

The alternative assets manager is capitalising on the booming wealth of the Gulf region with a spate of new buyout, mezzanine and growth capital funds and an almost 50 percent increase in client assets.

ECP makes $50m exit on African rubber producer(3)

The Africa-focused firm earned a 3.4x return on its investment in rubber company Societe Internationale de Plantations d’Heveas – the latest in a series of successful exits on the continent.

BC reaps bumper profit on Swiss hospitals(2)

The European buyout firm has sold Swiss private healthcare group Hirslanden after five years, as another South African hospital group looks abroad for expansion.

Campbell to become chairman if Three Delta triumphs, Mellor not involved(2)

Three Delta has confirmed Tony Campbell will become chairman of UK supermarket Sainsbury’s if its offer succeeds, although the Sainsbury family is reportedly set against the deal.

Senate witness: Carry tax is Abu Ghraib of tax code

The Senate Finance Committee’s second inquiry into carried interest featured witnesses who support and oppose the carried interest designation as capital gains, including one who compared current carried interest tax policy to the notorious Abu Ghraib prison incident of the Iraq War.

Great Circle buys $21.1m stake in Russian logistics firm(3)

Stamford, Connecticut-based Great Circle has made its second investment in Russia with the injection of $21.1 million of growth capital into logistics company STS Logistics.

AIF Capital hires Rajeev Kalra from HSBC

AIF Capital, an Asia-focused private equity firm, which is based in Hong Kong, has added Rajeev Kalra to its India office. Kalra joins AIF Capital from HSBC Private Equity.

Actis resolves succession difficulties at mattress maker(2)

The Moukarim family has sold its majority stake in the Nigerian foam mattress company Mouka to emerging markets buyout firm Actis in an effort to resolve succession problems.

Actis and Helios exit Flamingo

Tea company Finlays has bought horticultural business Flamingo, providing an exit for minority shareholders Actis and Helios Investment Partners.

Tchenguiz blocks Sainsbury’s bid(3)

The real estate entrepreneur has reportedly rejected Delta Two’s offer of £6-a-share, leaving the Qatari firm scrambling to increase its offer.