Siddharth Poddar

The joint venture between Abu Dhabi Investment Company and UBS Global Asset Management is raising a $600m fund to invest in infrastructure development in the MENA region. Research commissioned by the two firms predicts soaring government infrastructure spend in the region.

Yorkville Advisors, which formally opened its first Asian office last month, has appointed Katsutomo Fujimoto as senior advisor for Japan.

The alternative investment firm will close its third MENA-focused private equity fund 'in two weeks'. The fund will invest in Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Syria and Tunisia.

Luis Miranda of IDFC Private Equity says the Indian private equity industry is currently experiencing mixed fortunes, although the long-term outlook for the country remains positive.

The International Finance Corporation is seeking to invest up to $25m in Asia Environmental Partners, which is managed by mid-market firm Olympus Capital Holdings Asia.

Akshaya Prasad has relinquished his role as Goldman's head of Indian infrastructure to join London-based Greater Pacific Capital as co-head of its Indian busines.

Lazard will anchor the growth fund with a $25m commitment.

The hybrid alternative investment firm has established its first office in the Asia Pacific with an investment team of six.

The first-time fund focused on Asian frontier markets was targeting commitments of $100m when it set out to raise capital.

Religare Enterprises now owns a 74% stake in Vistaar Religare Capital Advisors, which manages a $40m private equity fund focused on film production in India. To date, it has backed Bollywood films 'Victory', 'The Stoneman Murders' and 'Siddharth – The Prisoner'.