Catamaran May Exit SKS Microfinance - Catamaran, a venture capital fund floated by Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy, may soon exit SKS Microfinance with a final decision on the matter is likely to be taken shortly. Catamaran had invested Rs 28.1 crore in SKS Microfinance on January 16, 2010, for 937,770 shares. Contractually, Catamaran shares in SKS Microfinance have a lock-in for a period of 24 months from the date of investment but it lapsed when the weekly average closing price of SKS shares fell below Rs 400. (Financial Express)
Antwerp May Invest In Essar Unit - Belgium's Port of Antwerp, the second largest port in Europe, aims to pick a stake in Essar Group's Hazira Port in Gujarat by the end of the year. It is believed that PAI is working with reserves of 25 million and it has already acquired stakes in port projects in Oman and Congo. The move is in keeping with the Belgian company's expansion plans firmed up last year, when it evaluated 20 projects and zeroed in on a few of them to expand its presence out of Europe through equity participation. (Economic Times)
Olympus Invests $50M In Vishwa - Private equity firm Olympus Capital has purchased a significant minority stake in Hyderabad-based Vishwa Infrastructures and Services Pvt. Ltd from investment firm Axis Infrastructure Fund for $50 million (Rs.240 crore). Vishwa Infrastructures develops and executes integrated water supply and waste water projects. Founded in 1992, Vishwa Infrastructures had raised $15 million from Axis Infrastructure in 2008. Axis has exited the company.
World Bank Arm May Invest In Global Schools Foundation - A Singapore-based foundation working in the field of education has announced a $150 million plan to set up 50 new international schools in India and other Asian nations. The Global Schools Foundation (GSF) will set up schools at four Indian cities of Bangalore, Noida, Ahmedabad and Indore and the project is also likely to get a funding of around $30-40 million from World Bank. (Indian Express)
SPIC To Sell Urea Plant - Southern Petrochemicals Industries Corporation has decided to sell off practically all its assets except the urea plant for a consideration of “not less than Rs 300 croreâ€. Apart from raising about Rs 160 crore by selling off some personal real estate, SPIC's promoters have sold stakes in group companies Sical Logistics and Manali Petrochemicals. (Business Line)
Jyoti Structures Buys Into Lauren - Jyoti Structures said on Thursday it acquired a 50% stake in Lauren Engineers and Constructors India, a unit of engineering, procurement and construction firm Lauren Engineers and Constructors. Jyoti Structures had formed a joint venture with Lauren Engineers and Constructors, and the joint venture firm has won a Rs 551-crore contract to set up a 50 MW solar thermal power plant in Rajasthan.
