Matthieu Favas
Public-private partnerships have emerged as a key plank at a time when the country seeks to boost infrastructure while keeping debt in check. Sadly, it turns out they’re not very private.
The transaction, which brings the firm’s renewables debt portfolio to more than $600m, marks investors’ latest vote of confidence in the once-beleaguered Southern European market.
Enhanced reporting is holding fund managers which tweak their mandates en route increasingly accountable. For investors seeking clarity, that’s probably a good thing.
Ben Loomes has left 3i after nearly five years at the London-listed firm, with Phil White now solely in charge of the infrastructure business.
The Australian firm’s latest infrastructure debt vehicle, which has a $2bn target, is expected to close in Q3.
The vehicle is the first to be raised by the manager founded by Macquarie and Old Mutual since the latter became sole owner of the business.
The UK asset manager is currently pre-marketing a successor to its £1bn debut vehicle that is set to focus solely on primary investments.
Hinting at the potential of Africa’s port sector at large, the Old Mutual-owned fund manager believes the facility’s throughput will triple over the next 10 years.
In keeping with its pedigree as a privatisation pioneer, Australia has in recent years captured the world’s attention thanks to a multi-billion dollar asset divestment programme. Should investors be concerned about changing political winds, though?
The Dutch firm is roughly half way to its hard-cap for the vehicle, which will target the likes of unregulated utilities, telecoms and storage.