The impact of private equity on infrastructure has been dramatic in recent years. As the Financial Times reported in October 2006:

"The value of infrastructure deals has soared to a record $145 billion (£78 billion) worldwide …… The figure is 180% higher than in 2000 …… (private equity) accounted for more than 50% of the total, compared with eight years ago, when it accounted for 2%.”

- Clearly, private equity infrastructure investing is here to stay.

Infrastructure, with its steady, dependable cash flows, long-term investment horizons and low correlation to other alternative asset classes, is proving increasingly attractive to funds and institutional investors seeking to diversify their investment portfolios. Governments and other public bodies are no longer able or willing to fund larger scale projects by themselves and are increasingly looking to private investment managers to help improve and expand essential and developmental infrastructure projects to support economic growth.

With countries like Australia, Canada and Great Britain leading the way in the use of private funds for developing infrastructure, more and more governments are exploring this new option. The ongoing boom in infrastructure projects from Tokyo to Texas, Mumbai to the Middle East, means that in both mature and emerging markets alike, there are tremendous opportunities for those involved in all facets of this developing asset class.

The aim of the forum was to look at the most important issues in infrastructure investing, with a particular focus on the interaction with private equity-style managing and investing. Panel discussions, case studies and in-depth workshops allowed delegates to explore some of the most practical issues in this area. The forum also provided an excellent opportunity for the private equity infrastructure community to come together and network with their peers.

Private Equity International – the leading global private equity publication – is uniquely placed to host such a forum. We draw our readership from all parts of the industry and from all over the world – including leading private equity funds and private equity investors as well as the legal community, advisors and consultants.

Key themes addressed included:

• Opportunities within the global infrastructure market
• Structuring an infrastructure fund
• Private equity investing in infrastructure
• Fundraising tips: fulfilling investor requirements
• Valuation
• Risk management
• What governments look for in a private equity partner
• Project financing structures
• Realizing returns and exit strategies

Delegates at the forum were drawn from all parts of the private equity infrastructure investment community – LPs, GPs, law firms, bankers, municipal administrators, advisors and consultants – and geographically from all across the globe.

Who attended:
All those involved in investing in and deploying infrastructure funds, including:

• General partners
• Institutional investors
• Law firms
• Consultants
• Project financiers
• Infrastructure asset owners
• Banks
• Placement agents
• Family offices
• Municipal administrators