"Walker Floats US$20 Million Danube Fund" (Central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States)
St. Louis Business Journal (12/25/09)

Bert Walker, who served as U.S. ambassador to Hungary under former President George W. Bush, and Hungarian businessman Krisztian Orban have created the Danube Fund, a private equity fund that will acquire controlling stakes in small and midsize service businesses in Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania. The fund, which held its first closing in December at US$20 million, is targeting commitments totaling US$80 million.

"StanChart PE Arm Invests in China Solar Firm Sangle" (Asia)
Reuters (12/27/09)

Standard Chartered Private Equity, the private equity arm of Standard Chartered, is investing US$22.3 million in Sangle Solar Energy, a Chinese maker of branded solar water heaters. The size of the acquired stake was not disclosed.

"SFS Cyprus, Kuwait Finance House Launch US$150 Million Shipping Investment Fund" (Middle East)
Balkans.com (12/24/09)

Sharelink Financial Services Group (SFS) of Cyprus and Kuwait Finance House Asset Management have formed a joint venture which has launched a fund that will invest in modern vessels. Global Shipping Investments Management is targeting total fund commitments of US$150 million.

"Ripplewood Sells 4.7 Percent Stake in Egypt's CIB" (Africa)
Reuters (12/22/09)

U.S.-based private equity firm Ripplewood Holdings has sold its remaining 4.7 percent stake in Egypt's Commercial International Bank (CIB) "through the open market" for approximately US$139 million. In July, Ripplewood sold a 9.3 percent stake in the bank to private equity firm Actis, which is now CIB's biggest shareholder.

"Benson Oak to Sell Plastkov Automotive to Megatech" (Central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States)
Financial Deals Tracker (12/21/09)

Benson Oak Capital (BOC), a Netherlands-based private equity investment firm, is selling Czech Republic-based Plastkov Automotive, a producer and supplier of automotive electro-technical components, to international automotive supplier Megatech. The transaction also involves the sale of the remaining two companies in BOC's automotive portfolio, Plastkov MR and BTV Plast. The value of the deal was not disclosed.

"Goldman to Pick Up 9.4 Percent Stake in Max India" (Asia)
Economic Times of India (12/27/09)

The private equity arm of Goldman Sachs is acquiring a 9.4 percent stake in Max India, a Delhi-based business with interests in healthcare, IT and financial services. The deal is valued at approximately US$115 million.

"Eton Park to Invest in Financiera Independencia" (Latin America and the Caribbean)
PRNewswire (12/18/09)

Eton Park Capital Management is acquiring 70 million shares of Financiera Independencia, a Mexican microfinance lender of personal loans to lower-income individuals. The deal is valued at approximately US$54 million. The investment will help fund the acquisition of Financiera Finsol, the second largest group lending microfinance institution in Mexico.

"Ethos Hits Fundraising Trail" (Africa)
Infrastructure Investor (12/17/09)

South Africa's Ethos Private Equity has started fundraising for its sixth buyout fund. Ethos Fund VI will focus on investments in Sub-Saharan Africa, predominantly South Africa. Although the target size has not been officially disclosed, a spokeswoman has confirmed that Ethos Fund VI is targeting approximately US$750 million in total fund commitments, similar to its prior fund.

"EIB Supports Middle East Venture Capital Fund" (Middle East)
The Financial (12/22/09)

The European Investment Bank (EIB) pledged to commit EUR5 million to the first venture capital fund to target investments in export-oriented IT companies being launched in the Palestinian territories. EIB's commitment to the Middle East Venture Capital Fund will be made through its Facility for Euro-Mediterranean Investment and Partnership Trust Fund.

"Capital International Buys El Tejar Stake" (Latin America and the Caribbean)
Latin Finance (12/09)

The private equity unit of Capital International has acquired a 15 percent stake in Argentina-based agribusiness El Tejar for US$150 million. In addition to Argentina, El Tejar operates in Bolivia, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay.

"EBRD to Commit Up to US$30 Million in Russian-Focused Venture Capital Fund" (Central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States)
The Financial (12/22/09)

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will commit up to US$30 million to Russia Fund I, managed by venture capital firm Almaz Capital Partners. Russia Fund I, which is focusing on Russia’s high-technology sector, held its first closing in July 2008 with a US$30 million anchor investment from Cisco Systems. Separately, EBRD is providing a US$7.9 million debt facility to LLC Ergopack, one of Ukraine’s largest producers and distributors of household disposable consumer products. Ergopack is majority-owned by the Emerging Europe Growth Fund, which is managed by private equity fund manager Horizon Capital.

"CDC Commits Over US$100 Million to Africa Private Equity" (Africa)
Reuters (12/21/09)

CDC Group, a U.K. government-owned fund of funds, is committing over US$100 million to two Sub-Saharan Africa-focused private equity funds. CDC is committing US$75 million to Helios Investors II, managed by Helios Investors, which is targeting commitments totaling US$600 million and will invest in Africa's information and communication technologies, financial services, infrastructure, consumer products and agribusiness sectors. CDC is also committing EUR20 million to Development Partners International's African Development Partners Fund, which has already raised approximately US$387 million and will invest in telecommunications, technology, financial services, healthcare, retail and leisure, property development and utilities. It will primarily focus on post-conflict, newly-liberalized countries such as Rwanda and Angola.