Global private equity fund (PEF) manager KKR said on the 15th it has raised a $2.5 billion (about 3.68 trillion won) fund to make private, high-grade credit investments in the Asia-Pacific region. KKR said the total $2.5 billion comprises the $1.8 billion "KKR Asia Credit Opportunities Fund II" and $700 million raised through a separate managed account.
This fund is KKR's largest-ever dedicated Asia-Pacific private high-grade credit fund. The previous record was held by the $1.1 billion "KKR Asia Credit Opportunities Fund," raised in 2022.
Dianne Laposio, KKR partner and head of Asia credit and markets, said, "Asia is a core pillar of KKR's global credit strategy," adding, "As investor demand for Asia credit assets expands, the ability to leverage our pan-Asia strategy and the KKR Asia platform will continue to be a differentiated competitive edge that allows us to consistently source and execute attractive investment opportunities in the region for our investors."
Since 2019, KKR has executed more than 60 investments in the Asia-Pacific through its credit strategy. Cumulative investment amounted to about $8.3 billion. It has provided acquisition financing and bespoke capital solutions to corporations and private equity funds in sectors including healthcare, education, real estate, logistics and infrastructure.
As of the end of September last year, KKR manages approximately $282 billion in credit assets worldwide. It also operates a team of about 250 credit investment professionals across 12 offices globally.