Capital Trust Group has received the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) approval for its EuroMena III fund to be regulated under the de-minimis AIFMD (Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive), making it one of the first funds in the region to be regulated by a European governing body.

Romen Mathieu, Managing Partner of the fund, said: "The EuroMena Funds are a bridge between Europe, the Middle East and Africa with the objective of creating value to our shareholders while catalysing growth and implementing international governance, social and environmental standards across the region.”

“With our businessmen mind-set and hands on approach in our portfolio companies we target high returns (IRR) for EuroMena III. Through our close relation with our various partners and managers of our portfolio companies, shareholders, advisors and service providers, we are contributing to the creation of a sustainable, long term market for private equity in this region, which, over the coming years, shall attract a significant amount of capital to be invested leading to sustainable development of the companies and the countries in which we invest.”

EuroMena III is a private equity fund, which will invest in private companies within the Middle East and Africa operating in fast growing industries with the potential to become regional leading groups.

Building on its first closing in June 2014 of more than $100m, the fund is well in place to meet its target size of $150m to $200m by June 2015.

Leveraging on its vast experience, the team has built a strong pipeline of target companies operating in diversified sectors and countries within the funds' target region.

The team is aiming to complete two transactions from its current pipeline in the next four to six months launching strongly EuroMena III's investment cycle.

The main investors, who committed to the fund, are the EIB (European Investment Bank), the DEG - German Development Fund, IFC, EDF (Electricité de France) as well as EuroMena I and II shareholders from the GCC and the Arab world who have shown continuous support and confidence.