3i infrastructure (3IN.LN)is in talks about raising its next India fund as it looks to capitalize on the growth in developing markets, according to a source close to the situation.
The U.K.-listed alternative asset manager said in an interim results statement today covering the period from Oct. 1 to Feb. 2, that it was more than 70% invested on its $1.2 billion Indian fund after the purchase of a 16% stake in Indian company GVK Energy.
Private equity firms typically begin raising their next fund when their previous vehicle is 75% invested and a source close to 3i said that fund-raising for its second Indian fund will begin in earnest during the first half of 2011.
The source said: “They have been in early talks since before Christmas but things have really accelerated over the past few weeks.”
A spokesperson for 3i confirmed that the fund is in preliminary discussions with its existing investors about a second Indian fund but refused to confirm a timeframe on fund-raising.
Although the size of the fund has yet to be decided, 3i previously stated its intention to invest $3 billion in the Indian market by 2013 meaning a fund of comparable size is likely.
The firm has also continued to look at the U.K. market over the period, taking a stake in Eversholt Rail while also being part of one of the remaining two bidding consortia for the ??2bn Thameslink rolling stock PPP.
The acquisitions are in line with the firm's strategy of targeting transport groups and public projects that Governments can no longer afford.
Source: WSJ