Investment Intelligence provides up-to-date private equity information and news designed for entrepreneurs, private equity investors and corporate acquirors interested in Central & Eastern Europe.

EBRD

Natron-Hayat Awaits Board Approal for €11m EBRD Loan

Natron-Hayat, a paper mill located in Bosnia-Herzegovina, stands ready to receive an €11 million EBRD loan package pending Board approval. The project passed final review in late July and will be taken up by the Board in early September.

EBRD to Loan Ford Otosan €150m

The EBRD's Board has given final approval for a loan of up to €150 million for automotive manufacturer Ford Otomotiv Sanayi A.S (Ford Otosan). The loan will finance the vendor tooling needs of Ford Otosan's capex program.

EBRD Shores up Financing for Barlinek Expansion

In a bold move described as a "clear signal" of the EBRD's commitment to it's partners, the bank has approved a €10 million loan to the Ukrainian subsidiary of Polish flooring manufacturer Barlinek, SA.

EBRD Considers €80m Package for Romania's Expur S.A.

The EBRD is considering an €80 million financing package for Romanian agricultural processor Expur S.A. The project passed concept review and now awaits further Board action.

Alro Secures USD 180m EBRD Loan Package

The EBRD and Romania's Alro have reached a deal to provide funding that will restructure Alro's debt and increase cash flow. The USD 180 million deal is structured under the EBRD's A/B loan program, meaning the bank will syndicate USD 105 million of the loan among commercial banks while holding the other USD 75 million itself.

EBRD Joins Kazakh Sovereign Fund to Support Kazakh Business

Efforts to restructure Kazakh businesses harmed by the financial crisis got a significant boost earlier this month with a funding commitment by the the EBRD. The EBRD announced in early June that it had agreed to a joint effort with Kazakhstan's Samruk-Kazyna sovereign wealth fund to pump some $121.5 million into the ADM Kazakhstan Capital Restructuring Fund.

The EBRD Commits $50m to New Fund For Russia & the CIS

The EBRD has announced plans to be an anchor investor in a new fund-of-funds aimed at investing in existing funds in Russia, Turkey, and CIS nations. The USD 300 million fund will be managed by Alpha Associates Group under the name Alpha Russia & CIS Secondary L.P., and will help to replace the private equity funding that has been lost as a result of the global financial crisis.

UFG Acquires Minority Stake in Russia's Enforta

Moscow-based UFG Private Equity Fund II has made another investment in the Russian telecomm market with the acquisition of 15% of Prestige Internet; a company operating under the brand name Enforta. The shares were acquired from Sumitomo Corporation whose stake is now reduced to 15%. Other investors in parent company Enforta B.V. include Baring Vostok Capital Partners, Bessemer Venture Partners, the EBRD, and company management.

Volga River Growth Fund a Possible New Investment for EBRD

The EBRD has announced it is considering participation in the new Volga River Growth Fund, a mezzanine fund targeted at Russia and the CIS. The fund's target size is USD 250 million, with the EBRD providing up to USD 50 million. Other institutional investors from America and Europe are expected to also commit funds to the project.

Ukraine's Ergopack Secures Significant EBRD Financing

Already the Ukraine's largest investor with more than €4.2 billion committed to 194 projects, the EBRD has agreed to provide a substantial loan to LLC Ergop

Daimler, EBRD Team Up for Acquisition of KAMAZ Shares

Daimler AG recently announced it has begun the process to strengthen its position and role KAMAZ, the Russian truck and bus manufacturer in which it already owns a 10% interest. Daimler has teamed up with the EBRD and signed a memorandum of understanding to purchase a 5% stake currently owned by Troika Dialog. Under terms of the proposal, the deal would be completed as two transactions; Daimler would acquire 1% with the EBRD getting the remaining 4%.

AMC III Gets €50m Commitment From the EBRD

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has approved a €50 million investment for Mezzanine Management Central Europe Limited's new eastern European fund, Accession Mezzanine Capital III. The two have a well-established relationship having worked together on the earlier AMC I & II funds. The EBRD's commitment to the corporate sector in the CEE region has been demonstrated over the years through total investments in excess of €2.5 billion.

CRG Capital Joins with IFC and EBRD for New CEE Fund

Vienna-based CRG Capital is joining forces with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to establish a new CEE fund to invest in distressed assets. The CEE Special Situations Fund has a target size of €200 million with the three initial investors providing a combined €36 million.

EBRD Considering New Kazakhstan Capital Restructuring Fund

A proposal to establish the Kazakhstan Capital Restructuring Fund has passed structure review and is now slated for final approval consideration with the EBRD Board in February of next year. The proposed fund would be established with an EBRD commitment of an amount between €45 to €60 million, with Kazyna Capital Management and other potential investors taking the fund's total value as high as €181.5 million. Asian investment firm ADM Capital has been tapped as Fund Manager.

EBRD To Provide Additional Investment to VTB Georgia

Pending project approval, VTB Georgia is poised to receive a USD 7.3 million equity investment from the EBRD. The investment is aimed at helping VTB Georgia remain compliant with government regulation while also realizing growth through continued lending within the Georgian economy. VTB Georgia has already received the necessary technical assistance and training needed to help it remain stable and competitive. Funds for that assistance were provided through donations from the EU, France, Japan, the U.K., and USAID.

Resource Eastern European Announces 1st Close at €51 Million

After receiving final approval from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Resource Eastern European Equity Partners (REEEP) has announced the first close of its inaugural fund at €51 million. REEEP contributed €1million while the EBRD and Dutch financial institution Rabobank Group added €25 million each. The fund, whose final target size is €200 million, will target sectors that are traditionally under-funded by private equity.

Kazyna Capital Management Teams Up With EBRD For New Fund

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is teaming up with Kazyna Capital Management (KCM) to launch a new Kazakhstani-focused fund. The new USD 300 million fund is aimed at providing capital to distressed companies which are experiencing difficulty in paying off a heavy debt load. While the fund will focus primarily on businesses in Kazakhstan, it will entertain opportunities in other countries as well, and hopes to attract further investment from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. The deal marks the second joint effort between the EBRD and KCM, following the 2008 launch of the USD 125 million Kazakhstan Growth Fund which targeted Russian and Asian opportunities.

Bulgarian Dairy Fama Receives Substantial EBRD Loan

The EBRD has announced plans to provide a substantial financing package to one of Bulgaria’s top dairy producers. Fama, the third largest supplier of milk products in Bulgaria, will use the €5.5 million mezzanine loan to increase its market share through the construction of three new facilities in its strongest markets and the development of more long-life products.

Eurasia Capital Investment Passes EBRD Concept Review

A €10 million equity investment into PE startup Eurasia Capital Partners Limited has received concept approval by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which is set to take up final review in early December. The EBRD's proposal calls for the bank investing €10 million or 20% of the new fund's aggregate size, whichever is less.

The EBRD Acquires 25% Stake in Agroinvestbank

Tajik investment bank Agroinvestbank has been slated for an equity investment of up to USD 12 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Through the investment the EBRD will acquire a stake of 25% plus one share in one of the nation's leading lending institutions. Agroinvestbank will use some of the capital to fund local businesses while the rest will be dedicated to the growth and development of the bank.