SWICORP – Private Equity in the MENA Region 2009

1. Describe MENA region. How is it different than say U.S., Europe, and Asia compared to investment opportunities, types of investments, types of investors, population demographics, risks, and current PE/venture capital space? What are the risks associated with investments in the MENA region?
2. What are Swicorps strengths?
3. Discuss Swicorps investment strategy.
4. According to Exhibit 6, CAGR is highest for the MENA region, why? Say compare to Europe that has even larger population but one of the smallest CAGR.
5. On page 2 of the case it says: The Financial Times noted that In 2007 Middle East private equity funds raised $5 billion but in the first half of 2008 only $1.1 billion was committed. Why only a small fraction of money was committed?

****Please use simple language since I’m an international student (no need to have a cover page/header and please write a full page. Thank you very much!)