Fundraising

Dubai-based buyout firm HBG Holdings is approaching the final close of its pan-regional fund, which is targeting infrastructure investments in Pakistan and retail growth capital investment in India as well as the Middle East.

Fresh from its $1.9bn purchase of a CalSTRS logistics portfolio, industrial property investor Prologis has launched four new property funds targeting Europe, Mexico, South Korea and the US.

The Riverside Company, a lower mid-market buyout firm, has bought Nordic manufacturer Keycast as it builds a fully-fledged Nordic team in Stockholm.

Investment group Pamodzi Investment Holdings has launched Africa’s biggest private equity fund—which will focus on infrastructure and related investments.

Paladin Capital and a fund led by Credit Suisse, with the backing of the Abu Dhabi government, have invested $77 million in a producer of thin film solar products.

The Italian special situations investor has closed its first institutional buyout fund with third-party capital, €20 million above its original target.

Asia’s private equity report card for the first half of this year is out: fundraising has surpassed last year’s record levels but transaction value has fallen compared to the first six months of 2006.

Amwal Al Khaleej, a Saudi private equity firm, has invested $37.44 million for a 25 percent stake in an outdoor media business in United Arab Emirates.

California pension fund Fresno County Employees’ Retirement Association has committed a further $110 million to the asset class, after enjoying strong returns from its previous investments.

Franklin Templeton Investments’ buyout arm has launched the largest mezzanine fund in central and eastern Europe.