At first glance the private equity market in central and eastern Europe appears to be in rude health. Funds focused on investing in the region raised more than $3.6 billion in the first half of this year, according to the Emerging Markets Private Equity Association.
That’s already more than the amount raised for any of the previous four years. If the present pace of fundraising is maintained, double the amount of money raised that was dedicated to CEE in 2006 could be raised in 2007. Most of the attention is focused on Russia and the CIS, which account for $2.1 billion of total commitments.
Interest, though, is high across the entire region. At the end of August, for example, Mid Europa Partners, a London private equity house, raised €1.5 billion, with much of its focus on the EU accession states. The fund is a record for a buyout vehicle concentrating on central and eastern Europe. The Mid Europa Fund III is nearly twice the size of the previous biggest dedicated fund, and raised €250 million more than was originally intended, a tremendous achievement given the market turmoil at the time. Commitments have been drawn from the US and Europe.