Siddharth Poddar

Beijing-based Origo Sino-India is setting up an agriculture-focused private equity fund which will invest globally with a bias for Australasia.

The Middle Eastern banks have suffered ratings cuts due to concerns over high leverage, a strain on liquidity and an expected fall in the value of the firms' private equity and real estate investments.

The Hong Kong-headquartered firm has augmented its Cambodian operations as it raises a $100m private equity and real estate fund focused on the country.

TPG and General Atlantic are reportedly among the company's interested suitors.

Managing director Hemal Mirani has quit the Boston-based fund of funds manager, reportedly to join a ‘large buyout firm’ in Asia.

The investment in Digital Marketing Solutions follows an initial round of funding by IDG Ventures Vietnam and will help the company enhance its mobile and online advertising services.

Israeli companies drew $2.1bn in venture funding in 2008, the highest in eight years, although there was a marked slowdown in investment activity in the last quarter.

Asset Reconstruction Company of India is reportedly seeking to buy non-performing assets from Indian banks and financial institutions.

Australia's Pinnacle Investment Management, along with former AMP Capital executives Bill Cook and Peter Ludemann, will begin fundraising for its maiden fund in March.

The Australia- and New Zealand-focused firm has launched its third buyout fund, targeting A$500m more than its predecessor. The firm expects to hit a first close on the fund by April.