Newhaven Investments House launched on Saturday Amara Holdings Inc (Amara), a Shariah-compliant investment company which focuses on pre-IPO, private equity and private placement opportunities predominantly in China, as well as MENA and India. Amara has already made its first investment into China with its key strategic partner, Pan China Construction Group. Prominent GCC investors have already committed a significant amount of capital to Amara. These include Khalid Al-Mukairin Group (KSA), Al-Sorayai Group (KSA) and Ahmed Alkhemeiri (UAE). Two further GCC investors, Mohammed Alkhalil (KSA) Ahmad Al Omani (Kuwait) are also Amara Board members. The company invests in sectors that are fundamental to the domestic economies and growth of the target regions such as agriculture, consumer staples, utilities, industrial, real estate and service related businesses. Key strategic partnerships are already in place with prominent Chinese, Indian and MENA partners ensuring a strong deal pipeline. This strategy will ensure that Amara will be resilient to any global downturn. Amara's initial investments are in China. The Company has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Pan China Construction Group, formerly a part of the Ministry of Construction and with strong ties to the Chinese government, to co-invest in Sino-foreign joint ventures. The first of the joint ventures, China Infrastructure Corporation Limited (CIC), has already been formed. CIC, which is 51 percent owned by Amara, will develop a logistics park, called Ningxia International Logistic Centre, in Ningxia province of China. Pan -China's strong government connections enable it to expedite the development entitlement process. Pan China expects to maintain a substantial development pipeline from which Amara will benefit. Dr Musab Jassim, executive chairman, Amara, said: “The current market environment presents us with significant opportunities as the price of assets in our target markets have reduced and we are now seeing valuations at very attractive multiples. Our strategy is to focus on sectors that are fundamental to the domestic economies and growth of China, MENA and India. This is to consistently provide investors with private equity returns, regardless of market cycles. Amara is unique as it offers investors packaged exposure to these growth regions and by virtue of its London listing, the highest levels of transparency and corporate governance.” Amara aims to raise up to $200 million initially during October, principally from investors in the Gulf region. The road show, which starts today, will visit Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE and Bahrain. Amara is also planning to list on London's Alternative Investment Market shortly after closing, ensuring investors benefit from private equity investments with public equity liquidity. Amara is developing a well diversified portfolio of assets targeting small and middle market size companies with solid fundamentals, strong management and significant growth prospects. This will include taking strategic stakes in assets that constitute control or significant minority positions. __
