Dubai-based private equity firm Abraaj Capital has completed a $375 million rights issue to its existing shareholders. The proceeds will be used to capitalize on strategic buying opportunities and expand its “geographic and product coverage”, according to a statement.
The fact that the rights issue was fully subscribed demonstrates investors' “strong confidence” in and commitment to Abraaj, the firm said. The latest fundraising increases to $1.5 billion the company’s paid-in capital.
Abraaj manages four vehicles: two generations of private equity buyout funds, a real estate fund and an infrastructure and growth capital fund. In total the firm has more than $2.6 billion in third party funds under management. Its largest fund, the Infrastructure and Growth Capital Fund, closed on $2 billion in December 2007 and has made 12 investments.
The new share capital raise by Abraaj will be used both to seed new funds and to potentially make strategic acquisitions for the firm itself, expanding its “sphere of operations”.
Abraaj’s investment activity is currently focused on the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA region).
Arif Naqvi, founder and chief executive officer of Abraaj, described the long-term prospects for the firm as being “better than at any point in the past”: “The economic environment has resulted in interesting opportunities. Asset prices are more reasonable, aspiring regional and global competition has largely retreated, and consolidation opportunities, both for our firm and our portfolio companies, are available.”
If you do not receive this within five minutes, please try to sign in again. If the problem persists, please email: 
