Jonathan Brasse

London-based law firm SJ Berwin is planning to open an office in Dubai, the first for the firm in the Middle East.

Speymill, the AIM-listed real estate fund manager and contractor, has resumed trading on London’s junior stock exchange following a nearly three-month share suspension. Meanwhile rival AIM-listed fund, Macau Property Opportunity Fund, reports a fall in the value of its portfolio and the securing of its first loan.

Jack Chandler spent nearly a decade in Asia for global fund management firm LaSalle Investment Management, building a $12bn business with more than 200 staff across six offices. He's not done building. Chandler spoke recently with PERE about his ambitions in the region, why he's not convinced on India and the importance of selling the merits of a deal before the elevator reaches the ground floor. PERE Magazine, April 2009 issue

Singapore-based fund manager Pacific Star has started fundraising for a new fund aimed at making entity level investments in companies with credit shortages.

An otherwise flagging 2008 fundraising market was invigorated by high demand for Asian funds, according to proprietary data from PERE. PERE Magazine March 2009 issue

As investor sentiment continues to wane, GPs including Singapore's Pacific Star attempt to entice them with alternative high return investment vehicles. PERE Magazine March 2009 issue.

More than 250 expressions of interest from parties including private equity real estate firms have been received by the collapsed bank’s liquidators for its assts in Asia.

Prax is set to take advantage of a projected population boom in Xi’an, the capital of China’s Shaanxi province, by investing almost $30m in a residential development in the city. The population of Xi’an is due to grow to 5.3m by 2020 – up from 3.1m in 2007.

AIG Global Real Estate, the property investor and fund management arm of global insurance and financial services company AIG, is planning the sale of its fund management business. Financial details were not disclosed.

The Indian developer is working to restructure its debt pile and also aims to sell stakes in the business and assets to private equity funds.