Philip Borel

Africa has an enormous need for infrastructure projects. But investors say deals still take too long to get off the ground, and too long to complete - and it’s not the credit crunch they blame. Philip Borel reports.

Internet traffic is growing rapidly, and so is the need to store data in safe, reliable places. A UK-based fund manager is pursuing an investment strategy based on the trend. Philip Borel reports

It’s been a big, busy week for Infrastructure Investor, with crowded networking events taking place on both sides of the Atlantic to mark the launch of our magazine and website.

Financing infrastructure is of critical importance if the world is recover at least some of its former economic momentum.

Despite the current economic problems, private equity to anticipate a profitable future, writes Philip Borel.

The buyout industry has been incapable of ‘using leverage sensibly’ and must support restrictions on excess LBO debt, argued Hugh MacArthur, global head of Bain & Co’s private equity practice.

The buyout industry has been incapable of ‘using leverage sensibly’ and must support restrictions on excess LBO debt, argued Hugh MacArthur, global head of Bain & Co’s private equity practice. He was joined at PEI's Middle East Forum by Delta Private Equity's Patricia Cloherty, who noted ‘cheap debt is simply seductive, and everyone is complicit on the upside’.

Buyouts in China are still elusive, but Hony Capital has amassed a portfolio of 25 control investments already. Chinese institutions and international blue-chip limited partners make up an illustrious funding base. Philip Borel asks founder John Zhao how he did it all.

The future of big buyout funds may be uncertain – but they haven’t gone the way of the dotcom venture funds yet, writes Philip Borel.

Asia feels the global squeeze