Sharon Lim

Gobi Partners is leading a group of investors in a $30m funding for Lingtu, a Chinese digitial mapping and location-based services firm.

Dubai’s Abraaj Capital has entered into a joint venture with Deutsche Bank and Ithmar Bank to raise a $2 billion Shariah-compliant alternative asset investment fund.

Japanese investment bank, securities and asset management firm Nikko Cordial Corporation is ready to pursue private equity investments in Australia.

Aureos Capital is nearing closings on several Asian private equity funds and plans to launch a new Malaysia-focused vehicle before the end of the year.

Korean bank Kookmin has agreed to purchase a controlling stake in Korea Exchange Bank, but will not be paying for it until prosecutors’ investigations into vendor Lone Star are completed.

The US investment firm is sponsoring a Connecticut-based hedge fund focused on investing in key Asian markets.

Australian investment bank Macquarie has held an initial close of its European infrastructure fund on €618m and reported a 13% increase in profits in its annual results.

Carlyle’s Asian growth capital group is investing $27.5 million in a Chinese wooden flooring manufacturer and distributor, not long after making two separate investments in China and India.

Following an unsuccessful bid last June, Australia’s Allco Equity Partners has teamed up with the private equity unit of Deutsche Asset Management to acquire debt collection business of Baycorp Advantage Limited.

India’s ICICI Venture has made a minority investment in an Indian diagnostic centre chain Metropolis Health Services India, an acquisitive firm looking to expand overseas.