Emerging markets alternative investment funds raised 11% more capital in the first half of 2018 than the first six months of 2017, according to EMPEA's latest industry statistics report.
The increase in fundraising of emerging market alternative investment funds — including private equity, venture capital, private credit, infrastructure and other real assets — was $31 billion in the six months ended June 30, up from $28 billion in the six months ended June 30, 2017. EMPEA attributed the increase in emerging markets alternative investment fundraising to Asia-focused funds, which raised $28 billion in the first half of 2018, up 27% from the $22 billion raised in the first half of 2017.
The largest funds closed in the first half of 2018 were the $6.55 billion Carlyle Asia Partners IV, $3.3 billion Macquarie Asia Infrastructure Fund II and $2.3 billion Blackstone Capital Partners Asia Fund I.
In addition, EMPEA also said private capital investments in emerging markets rose by 20% in the first half of this year, compared to the same period in 2017. Emerging markets alternative investment vehicles invested $30 billion in the first six months of 2018, compared to $25 billion in the six months ended June 30, 2017.