The consumer and retail sector will be the primary focus of private equity firm 3i Group’s China strategy this year, with the firm looking to close two or three deals, Reuters reported. Anna Cheung, a Hong Kong-based partner with 3i, also singled out clean and renewable energy, health care and business services as areas of interest. The company – which typically makes investments of US$50-100 million in China – has spent US$300 million in the country since 2003. Its investments include Chinese hot-pot restaurant chain Little Sheep and digital advertising firm Focus Media. While Cheung remains bullish about consumer plays, she doesn’t see many opportunities in the electronic media sector, blaming market consolidation. 3i has also become less interested in real estate investments. Cheung noted that the decline in global stock markets has created opportunities for private equity firms to invest in companies that require capital to support growth.
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