OPIC Provides $50 Million to SigmaBleyzer Investment Fund for Southeast Europe
January 11, 2012
(OPIC)
Agency's First Private Equity Investment in Ukraine Since 2004
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the U.S.
Government’s development finance institution, has provided $50 million in
financing to SigmaBleyzer Southeast European Fund IV, a private equity buyout
fund established to make equity and equity-related investments in southeast
European private and public companies.
The fund has called 100 percent of committed capital from its limited partners
and currently holds a portfolio of four platform investments, including Volia
Limited (cable television), Covalact SA (dairy), Elandia Holdings Limited
(retail pharmaceutical), and Harmelia Investments Limited (agriculture). This is
the first private equity investment made by OPIC in Ukraine since restoring its
programs in the country following the signing in December 2010 of an agreement
resolving a dispute over an insurance claim paid by OPIC.
“The SigmaBleyzer fund will bring new investment into the emerging markets of
Eastern Europe, a goal we all support. It also marks OPIC’s return to Ukraine
after the better part of ten years. We are excited about the many new
possibilities for OPIC to support private sector development in Ukraine,” said
OPIC President and CEO Elizabeth Littlefield.
“SigmaBleyzer is excited to partner with OPIC in further extending our ongoing
commitment to invest in Ukraine and the other emerging economies of Eastern
Europe. We believe there are significant opportunities to develop the companies,
and economies, in which we’re invested, and we’re focused on creating value for
all of our stakeholders. We look forward to broadening our relationships in the
region and achieving outstanding returns for our investors,” said SigmaBleyzer
President and CEO Michael Bleyzer.
SigmaBleyzer is a private equity firm with an investment and operating history
since 1994. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, with significant operations in
Eastern Europe, SigmaBleyzer specializes in control investments in turnaround
and distressed situations. SigmaBleyzer currently manage assets valued at
approximately $1 billion across six investment vehicles and is one of the
largest and most experienced private equity investors in Eastern Europe, with
over 100 full-time investment professionals focused on control investments in
companies operating in attractive and fast growing industries in Ukraine,
Romania and Kazakhstan. The firm also has a team of professionals in Houston and
Dallas targeting buyout opportunities in Texas, focused on control investments
in turnaround and distressed situations. SigmaBleyzer’s activity is supported by
The Bleyzer Foundation - an international non-profit, non-government
organization established in 2001 by Michael Bleyzer. The mission of The Bleyzer
Foundation is to promote the development of the private sector and the use of
best practices in government policies to create investment-friendly and
business-friendly environments. www.sigmableyzer.com
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