"Saffar Capital to Launch Mideast Fund" (Middle East)
Trade Arabia (11/14/09)

Dubai-based private equity firm Saffar Capital is launching a private equity fund focusing on the financial services sector in the Middle East. The fund is targeting commitments totaling US$150 million.

"Progresa Capital Invests in Telemedicine Firm" (Latin America and the Caribbean)
Esmerk (11/18/09)

Colombian investment firm Progresa Capital has acquired a minority stake in local telemedicine firm Ubicuo. The deal is valued at approximately US$550,000.

"Polish PE Firm Enterprise Investors Sweeps Up With EUR66 Million Supermarket Deal" (Central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States)
AltAssets.com (11/18/09)

Enterprise Investors, a Poland-based private equity firm, has bought out Profi Rom Food Group, one of the largest supermarket chains in Romania, for EUR66 million. The investment was made through Enterprise's EUR658 million Polish Enterprise Fund VI.

"Wasteman Holdings Acquires Spill Response Team" (Africa)
NewNet (11/23/09)

South African waste management services provider Wasteman Holdings, a portfolio company of asset management firm Marlow Capital, has acquired Spill Response Team, a local supplier of environmental products and specialized hazardous cleaning services, for an undisclosed sum. Marlow Capital focuses on mid-market buyout opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly South Africa.

"New Dubai Alternative Investment Firm Launched" (Middle East)
AltAssets.com (11/19/09)

A new alternative investment firm that will focus on the Middle East and North Africa has been established. Dubai-based Al Masah Capital is planning to launch a social infrastructure fund reportedly targeting US$700 million.

"Euroclinicum Acquired by PPF Healthcare" (Central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States)
Invest IQ (11/19/09)

Czech Republic-based private equity firm PPF Group is acquiring Czech hospital and clinic owner Euroclinicum for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition will be made through subsidiary PPF Healthcare.

"Intel Capital Invests in UAE-Based NeuString" (Middle East)
Al Bawaba (11/18/09)

Intel Capital, the investment arm of Intel Corp., has invested an undisclosed sum in NeuString, a leading UAE-based telecommunications analyst software company. Intel Capital has invested in five other Middle Eastern companies this year, two of which are based in Jordan and three in the UAE.

"3TS Capital Partners Acquires Stake in InternetCorp" (Central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States)
EmergingMarketsNOW (11/20/09)

The 3TS Cisco Growth Fund has acquired a minority stake in InternetCorp, a leading online media company in Romania, for an undisclosed sum. The fund is managed by 3TS Capital Partners and Cisco and targets investments in small and midsize companies in the technology, media and communications sectors of Central and Eastern Europe.

"Carlyle Invests US$60 Million in Three Chinese Companies" (Asia)
EmergingMarketsNOW (11/19/09)

The Carlyle Group has invested a total of approximately US$60 million in three Chinese companies through its US$1.04 billion Carlyle Asia Growth Partners IV (CAGP IV) Fund. The companies are: Nantong Rainbow Heavy Industry, a supplier of ship components and port and marine-related large steel structures; China Agritech, which provides agricultural products; and online travel services company iTour.

"CIMB Standard Plans New SE Asia Fund" (Asia)
Reuters (11/16/09)

CIMB Standard Strategic Asset Advisors, a private equity firm owned by South Africa's Standard Bank and Malaysia's CIMB Group, is set to launch a Southeast Asia infrastructure fund that will target commitments totaling US$300 million. Additionally, the private equity firm plans to increase its Islamic infrastructure fund to the target size of US$500 million.

"Spring Capital Asia Fund Holds First Closing" (Asia)
Spring Capital Asia (11/20/09)

Hong Kong-based Spring Capital Asia has held the first closing of its debut fund with US$151 million in commitments. The Spring Capital Asia Fund is focusing on investments in clean technology, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, consumer and professional/business services. The fund is targeting total commitments of US$200 million.

"EFG Hermes to Raise US$600 Million for Infrastructure Fund" (Africa)
Reuters (11/23/09)

EFG-Hermes Private Equity, the private equity arm of EFG Hermes, is set to launch an Egypt-focused infrastructure fund in the first quarter of 2010. The fund is targeting commitments totaling US$600 million.

"Abraaj Acquires Jordanian Venture Capital Firm" (Middle East)
The National (UAE) (11/23/09)

Private equity firm Abraaj Capital has signed a deal to fully acquire Riyada Ventures, a venture capital firm based in Jordan. Riyada is to be folded into Abraaj and renamed Riyada Enterprise Development Company. The venture capital firm, which has offices in Amman and Cairo, will focus on investments in small and midsize businesses in the region. Abraaj plans to commit US$200 million of its own capital for the investments. Separately, Abraaj has announced that it has completed a US$375 million capital increase to existing shareholders, increasing its paid-in capital to US$1.5 billion.