Warburg Pincus focuses investment on China, Southeast Asia and Vietnam

June 28, 2019 | 14:58

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New York-based international private equity firm Warburg Pincus has made the final close for its equity fund in China-Southeast Asia and Vietnam (China – SEA II). The equity fund attracted $4.25 billion investment from Warburg Pincus' current funds as well as new investors.

warburg pincus focuses investment on china southeast asia and vietnam

The New York-based international private equity firm Warburg Pincus focuses in China, Southeast Asia and Vietnam

In the China and Southeast Asia, Warburg Pincus has poured investment into some high profile names, such as Go-Jek (Indonesia), Vincom Retail (Vietnam), Techcombank (Vietnam), Ant Financial (China), and MoMo (Vietnam), among others.

In 2018, Warburg announced a $370 million investment in Techcombank, expecting huge growth in the Vietnamese banking sector.

In the first quarter of 2019, the New York-based private equity invested in MoMo electronic wallet to tap into the fruits of fintech. The fund also eyed the luxury resort Grand Ho Tram located in the southern province of Ba Rai-Vung Tau in Vietnam.

So far, the firm’s total investments have reached more than $11 billion, with 120 companies in China and Southeast Asia, according to Warburg Pincus co-chief executive officer Charles R. Kaye.

"Warburg Pincus has become one of the largest and most active investors in Southeast Asia, with a particular emphasis on Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore. Southeast Asia is a large and growing market for us, exhibiting many of the strong investment themes and trends which have driven our China business over the last 25 years," said Jeff Perlman, managing director and head of Southeast Asia, Warburg Pincus.

In May 2019, the former US Secretary of Treasury and now president of Warburg Pincus Timothy Geithner said that Warburg Pincus had invested in five projects in Vietnam, and was expecting more projects to come.

By Luu Huong

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