August 2009
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VC/PEs bet on micro finance

Venture capitalists/PE (private equity) funds are now looking at investing in micro finance companies in India. According to industry observers, around Rs 1,000 crore is expected to be invested by venture capitalists/PE funds in the Indian micro finance space (MFIs) this year. In fact, of the 50 private equity deals worth $1 billion in banking and finance in the last 18 months, MFIs alone accounted for 20 deals amounting to $200 million. There are some funds like Aavishkaar and Bellwether Microfinance Fund that primarily invest in MFIs in India. “Apart from MFI focused funds, other venture capitalists and PE funds who consider opportunities in the financial services space are now adding micro finance to their portfolio,” says Mona Kachhwaha, director, Bellwether. […]

Essar Oil picks up 50% stake in Kenyan refinery

Essar Oil, through its arm Essar Energy Overseas, has picked up a 50 per cent stake in Kenyan Petroleum Refineries through the acquisition of stakes from Shell, British Petroleum and Chevron. The Kenyan Government will hold the balance 50 per cent in this four-million-tonne refinery located in Mombasa. While there were no details on the cost of acquisition, Mr Prashant Ruia, Chief Executive, Essar Group, told presspersons in a conference call that the refinery would be upgraded by adding secondary units at a cost of $400-450 million. In the process, the capacity would increase to five million tonnes. The company would also pay the Kenyan Government $2 million for not exercising the buyback option of shares owned by Shell, BP and Chevron. […]