everbright reaches approximately us$100 million in first closing for cel catalyst china israel fund tapping israeli investment opportunities | 光大控股-九游会登录

(hong kong, 28 february 2014) leading cross-border asset manager china everbright limited (“everbright”, sehk: 165) announced that it has reached the first closing for the cel catalyst china israel fund (the “fund”) at approximately us$100 million. the fund is jointly managed by everbright and an israel-based private equity firm, catalyst equity management ltd. (“catalyst”).
 
everbright commented, “we are very pleased about the strong support from our investors in launching this fund. we have just had the first closing of approximately us$100 million which is targeting a final closing of us$200-300 million. the fund-raising commitments were very positive and overwhelming, coming primarily from the emerging markets. the favourable and fruit-bearing environment of israel’s innovation and technology industries, as well as the prominent demand from the greater china region, provide the fund excellent cross-border investment and acquisition opportunities. we believe the fund could expand our investment footprint beyond china which is well-suited to country’s strong demand for overseas investments as the domestic investors have become more sophisticated and are gaining more exposure abroad.”
 
the fund will invest in mid-to-late stage israeli or israeli-related companies, in particular those with proven innovation and global growth strategy or vision, including expansion plans into the emerging markets with a strategic focus on the greater china market, or companies which offer products or business solutions that have a significant potential in the greater china. the fund will focus on sectors including agriculture, industrials / manufacturing, healthcare, water treatment, energy, technology, media and telecommunications.
 
“with our first closing we are already focusing in on our first investments, which are highly attractive deals with significant opportunities in the emerging markets,” said edouard cukierman, managing partner of the fund. “the partnership with cel provides us with the unique ability to have a significant near-term impact on our investee companies in greater china and other emerging markets, driving the potential for outstanding returns.”
 

about china everbright limited
 
china everbright limited (“everbright”, stock code: 165) has woven huge cross-border social and business networks in hong kong and the mainland. china everbright limited, being a member of china everbright group, is a diversified financial services enterprise operating in hong kong and mainland china. it is the second largest shareholder of everbright securities (stock code: 601788) and third largest shareholder of china everbright bank (stock code: 601818) in the mainland. china everbright group is the holding company of everbright.
 
established in 1997 at hong kong, everbright persistently pursues its “macro asset management” strategy, with specific focuses being placed on fund management and investment businesses, namely primary market investment, secondary market investment and structured financing and investment. moreover, being a substantial shareholder of china aircraft leasing company limited, everbright is actively developing aircraft leasing business in china and emerging markets.
 
over the past years, everbright has developed solid bases in various sector markets. it manages series of private equity funds, venture capital funds, sector focus funds and hedge funds as operated via an international management platform, and provides overseas investors with opportunities to explore and invest in companies with fast growing potential in the mainland china. on the other hand, everbright also seeks investment opportunities from overseas and provides diversified financial services for its clients in mainland china. as of 31 december 2013, everbright’s asset under management reached over hk$30 billion, with a total of 15 funds.
 
through upholding the philosophy of “making wealth simple”, everbright leverages on its own substantial financial strength, as well as the position and influence of china everbright group and its affiliated companies in the financial industry in china, and has successfully built huge cross-border social and business networks in hong kong and the mainland, and established a reputable image in the market.
 
 
about catalyst equity management ltd.
 
catalyst is a top performing israeli based private equity multi-fund firm. since 1999, the catalyst team has established track record by managing three top-performing funds. with over us$200 million committed capital under management, catalyst supports capital and long-term growth of innovative israeli middle-market companies in global markets. the partners enjoy a global and multidisciplinary background, wide-reaching operational, financial and sector expertise, significant business networks and vast transactional experience in global capital markets and cross-border m&a. the partners of catalyst include edouard cukierman, alain dobkin, boaz harel and dorothee moshevich.