Siddharth Poddar

CLSA Capital Partners has invested $30m to back the expansion of a fibreglass yarn-maker. Giving the firm an eventual 14 percent stake in Fulltech Fiber Glass, it is the seventh investment from the firm's pan-Asian growth fund.

The Cleveland, Ohio-headquartered firm has acquired a Korean preschool operator, its second deal in Asia, and its 20th in 2008.

Sydney-based AMP Capital Investors is backing Gayatri Infra Ventures, a subsidiary of an Indian road construction company. The deal is its maiden investment from its Asian Giants Infrastructure Fund, which is currently raising capital to target Chinese and Indian investments.

The Blackstone Group has expanded its presence in Asia with the launch of an office in Beijing, its fourth in the region.

Australia’s largest railway and port operator has decided to not allow the US private equity firms to conduct due diligence needed to finalise a bid. The initial offer from TPG and GIP ‘undervalues the business', the company has said.

China's securities regulator has reportedly given approval to two more securities firms to invest directly in private equity. Roughly $1.5bn in government-backed private equity funds were also reportedly approved.

Citi Venture Capital International has appointed PR Srinivasan as its India head following the departure of Ajay Relan from the firm to start his own fund.

The Swiss watch-maker has invested in Rivoli Group, a Dubai International Capital portfolio company that sells luxury goods in the MENA region. The retailer sells products including Gucci watches, Roberto Cavalli eyewear and Vertu mobile phones.

The Mumbai firm is making a foray into private equity with plans to launch ‘a composite mix of sector agnostic and sectorally aligned funds’.

The Dutch bank has raised $85m for the first close of India Agri Business Fund, with IFC, FMO and DEG committing $20m each.