Latest news with #BayoOgunlesi
Korea Herald
23-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
CP Group and Global Infrastructure Partners Establish Strategic Partnership with True IDC To Accelerate Thailand's Digital Infrastructure Growth
BANGKOK, May 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mr. Suphachai Chearavanont, CEO of Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group) and Chairman of True Corporation Public Company Limited, announced a strategic partnership with Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a part of BlackRock and True IDC, Thailand's number one data center provider. The collaboration is designed to accelerate and elevate Thailand's digital infrastructure to world-class standards, supporting the rapid growth of AI and cloud computing and helping to drive Thailand to become ASEAN's leading digital economy hub. Mr. Suphachai Chearavanont, CEO of Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group) and Chairman of True Corporation Public Company Limited said that the transition to the Giga Data Center Age presents a critical opportunity for Thailand. Countries with strong data center infrastructure will emerge as global digital economy hubs. For this reason, CP Group, through True IDC, Thailand's No.1 data center and cloud service provider, is establishing this major strategic partnership with GIP, the world's premier infrastructure investing platform. This partnership is designed to drive the expansion of Thailand's digital infrastructure and help support the growth of global technology businesses. "GIP's global expertise in infrastructure management, combined with True IDC's strengths in data centers and cloud services, network connectivity, and renewable energy solutions, will enhance True IDC's capabilities and drive its expansion across ASEAN," said the CP Group CEO. The executive further stated that the global economy is now entering the "Giga Data Center Age", where data is the "New Oil", making it the most valuable resource that requires data centers for processing. "Data centers will be the heart of the new economy" the CP Group CEO emphasized. Mr. Bayo Ogunlesi, Founding Partner, Chairman, and CEO of GIP, and Senior Managing Director at BlackRock, expressed that "The growth of data consumption and AI requires significant amounts of private capital to fund investments to help the world's leading data center developers and operators provide this essential infrastructure to their customers," said Bayo Ogunlesi. "We are very pleased to establish this strategic partnership with CP Group and True IDC to accelerate digital infrastructure capabilities across Thailand and, more broadly, Asia in order to serve growing demand." Mr. Thanasorn Jaidee, President of True IDC, affirmed that "True IDC has always been committed to driving Thailand to become the digital hub of ASEAN. This collaboration with GIP will accelerate the realization of that goal. Currently, the hyperscale business and AI technologies are growing at an exponential rate. This partnership will strengthen True IDC's business expansion and help maintain our position as Thailand's No.1 data center leader amid intense competition. We are confident that GIP, with its expertise in managing and investing in global infrastructure, will enhance True IDC's capability to fully expand its business across ASEAN. This collaboration is therefore a key strategy to support the growing digital ecosystem and digital transformation across the region." This partnership is expected to significantly accelerate True IDC's growth. Over the next three to five years, True IDC plans to exponentially grow investment in data center business, targeting the deployment of over US$ 1billion in capital. In addition, True IDC plans to increase clean energy implementation, invest in R&D for technological and sustainability innovations in data centers, enhance operational standards and corporate governance, and broaden its service footprint across ASEAN. True IDC, CP Group and GIP are committed to strengthening Thailand and ASEAN's leadership in digital infrastructure, laying the foundation for sustainable technological growth across all sectors. The partnership between True IDC and GIP-BlackRock is not merely a business expansion; it marks a pivotal step in transforming Thailand into the digital hub of ASEAN. As the world rapidly enters the era of AI and cloud, this collaboration unites Thailand's No.1 data center leader with a global infrastructure powerhouse to drive the nation's digital economy forward and attract major technology investments from around the world. This is a defining moment for Thailand's digital industry, laying a strong foundation for the country to enhance its global presence. True IDC and GIP are committed to building a stable, sustainable, and influential future in the global digital economy—because Thailand will no longer be just a "technology user," but will rise to become a true center of innovation and digital infrastructure in the region.
Observer
09-03-2025
- Business
- Observer
BlackRock makes Oman foray with indirect stake acquisition in Hutchison Ports
MUSCAT, MARCH 9 Global asset manager BlackRock is set to make its debut in the Sultanate of Oman with the indirect acquisition of a major stake in Hutchison Ports Sohar, the owner and operator of Sohar Port's container terminal. It follows last week's announcement by the consortium of BlackRock and Terminal Investment Limited (TiL), a subsidiary of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), that it has reached in-principle agreements to acquire an 80 per cent controlling interest in Hong Kong based global multinational conglomerate CK Hutchison. Hutchison Ports Holdings (HPH), a global operator of ports and terminals (including Hutchison Ports Sohar), is a subsidiary of CK Hutchison. Under the provisional agreements, the BlackRock — TiL consortium will acquire 80 per cent of CK Hutchison's interests in a vast portfolio of subsidiary and associated companies owning, operating and developing a total of 43 ports comprising 199 berths in 23 countries. Included in this list is Hutchison Ports Sohar (previously known as Oman International Container Terminal — OICT). Collectively dubbed the 'HPH Ports Sale Perimeter' transaction, the aggregate enterprise value of this global deal (which includes Panama Ports in Panama) has been agreed at $22.8 billion. The parties have set an April 2, 2025 deadline for the formalisation of the transaction, pending regulatory approvals where applicable. Significantly, Terminal Investment Limited (TiL) is the world's 6th largest global container terminals group, with a portfolio of terminals located on the key trades served by the world's largest shipping line, the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). TiL is part of the portfolio of Global Investment Partners (GIP), a leading global infrastructure investor with around $170 billion in assets under management. These assets are distribution across the energy, transport, digital infrastructure, decarbonisation, and water and waste management sectors. Just last October, GIP was formally acquired by BlackRock. Summing up the beneficial implications of these transactions for maritime assets served by TiL and MSC, GIP Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bayo Ogunlesi said: 'We are delighted to partner with Terminal Investment Limited and MSC, with whom we have a longstanding and productive relationship, to make an offer for certain interests in ports owned and operated by Hutchison Ports Holdings. Given GIP's substantial expertise in owning and operating ports, together with our partners, we can focus on our joint ambition for these assets to continue to be world-class ports operators which are competitive, efficient, commercial and service-focused.' While specific details about BlackRock's direct or indirect investments in Oman are not publicly disclosed, the American investment giant has been actively expanding its presence in the Gulf region. Last June, BlackRock appointed Mohammad al Fahim as Managing Director and Head of the UAE, Oman and Bahrain, aiming to strengthen client relationships and deliver diversified investment solutions across these countries. Hutchison Ports Sohar is a joint venture between Hutchison Ports, Rakiza (Oman Infrastructure Investment Management — part of Oman Investment Authority) and other Omani investors.
Zawya
03-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
GIP to open Qatar office in latest Middle East investment push by private equity
DUBAI: U.S.-based Investment firm Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) said on Monday it would open an office in Qatar to serve as the hub for its operations in the Middle East and North Africa. "We are excited by the prospects for the Middle East region, driven by strong economic growth, the expansion of the capital markets and the emergence of transparent regulatory frameworks," Chairman and CEO Bayo Ogunlesi said in a statement. GIP, which specializes in infrastructure and manages more than $100 billion in assets, did not say when the office in Doha would open. BlackRock-owned GIP is the latest private equity group to set up base in the Gulf as firms look to build teams on the ground and invest in local businesses in a region that had previously been where buyout groups went to raise money to invest in other markets. Permira said last month it would open an office in Dubai, while New York-based General Atlantic opened an office in Abu Dhabi last year. One of the world's largest LNG exporters, Qatar is one of several Gulf countries trying to diversify away from energy while attracting foreign investment, making the region increasingly attractive for Western firms. Founded in 2006, GIP has a portfolio including Britain's Gatwick airport, the Port of Melbourne and major offshore wind projects. BlackRock purchased GIP last year for $12.5 billion.
Reuters
03-03-2025
- Business
- Reuters
GIP to open Qatar office in latest Middle East investment push by private equity
DUBAI, March 3 (Reuters) - U.S.-based Investment firm Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) said on Monday it would open an office in Qatar to serve as the hub for its operations in the Middle East and North Africa. "We are excited by the prospects for the Middle East region, driven by strong economic growth, the expansion of the capital markets and the emergence of transparent regulatory frameworks," Chairman and CEO Bayo Ogunlesi said in a statement. GIP, which specializes in infrastructure and manages more than $100 billion in assets, did not say when the office in Doha would open. BlackRock-owned (BLK.N), opens new tab GIP is the latest private equity group to set up base in the Gulf as firms look to build teams on the ground and invest in local businesses in a region that had previously been where buyout groups went to raise money to invest in other markets. Permira said last month it would open an office in Dubai, while New York-based General Atlantic opened an office in Abu Dhabi last year. One of the world's largest LNG exporters, Qatar is one of several Gulf countries trying to diversify away from energy while attracting foreign investment, making the region increasingly attractive for Western firms. Founded in 2006, GIP has a portfolio including Britain's Gatwick airport, the Port of Melbourne and major offshore wind projects. BlackRock purchased GIP last year for $12.5 billion.
