Muzinich closes Asia credit fund on $500m

Muzinich & Co has held a final close of its first dedicated Asia-Pacific credit fund on $500 million.

The fund, Muzinich Asia-Pacific Private Debt I, will focus on providing finance for underserved core and lower mid-market companies across the region.

Muzinich’s team is spread across key hubs in Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia, which it said will enable it to tap into local networks to source deals, as well as being able to leverage the firm’s wider resources and expertise.

The fund is classified under Article 8 of the EU’s SFDR and will utilise Muzinich’s ESG scorecard system to ensure investments align with its environmental and social goals.

George Muzinich, founder and executive chairman, said: “Private debt is well established in the US and Europe, while in Asia it has the potential for exponential growth in a market that is less crowded than its US and European counterparts.

“We believe there is an exciting opportunity to become a financing solutions provider of choice, particularly to lower middle-market companies who tend to have access to lower liquidity channels.”