OPIC Completes Financing for First Private Equity Fund Investing in Palestinian Companies

(OPIC) WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the U.S. Government’s development finance institution, concluded an agreement providing $30 million in financing to the first private equity fund designed to invest in Palestinian companies. The fund will inject much-needed capital into small business enterprises across a variety of sectors of the Palestinian economy.

The Siraj Palestine Fund I was one of five funds approved by OPIC’s Board of Directors in June 2010 in response to an announcement by President Obama that the United States would launch funds to support technological development in Muslim-majority countries. The fund had an initial target capitalization of $80 million, but ultimately raised $90 million, including the OPIC financing.

The fund is designed to invest in start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises in the Palestinian Territories, with a focus on companies with the potential to become market leaders in the Territories or expand their operations internationally, primarily in the Middle East and North Africa. OPIC selected as fund manager Siraj Fund Management Company, a Ramallah-based company owned by Massar International.

Siraj Palestine Fund I has already invested in four companies – a gas distribution company endeavoring to become a market leader in liquefied petroleum gas distribution; a logistics and distribution services company; a start-up that specializes in the production and sale of dates; and an engineering firm that provides architectural design, supervision and project management services. In addition to these four initial investments, five more were approved in April of 2012 while many more promising deals are in the pipeline.

“A viable private equity sector and small business financing infrastructure are two telltale developments in the growth of any emerging market. The fact that Siraj Palestine Fund I contributes to both is an outstanding feature of this investment fund,” said OPIC President and CEO Elizabeth Littlefield. “The Siraj Palestine Fund I will help to unleash the potential of Palestinian businesses, while promoting technological advancements and sustainable development – all goals of President Obama’s announcement.”

Massar International Chairman and fund General Partner Bashar Masri stated, “OPIC’s much-needed support of the Siraj Palestine Fund I comes at a crucial juncture for the Palestinian economy. Access to capital for infrastructure expansion and operational upgrades is the missing link for dozens of viable Palestinian companies. Without it, they cannot meet domestic demand, innovate or compete successfully in the international marketplace. Strengthening key industry players across multiple sectors will ultimately make the entire Palestinian economy more robust.”

The signing of the financing agreement served to open an OPIC meeting of general partners managing OPIC-supported private equity investment funds, hosted by the agency’s Investment Funds Department.