Macquarie Group launches Mexican Infrastructure Fund

* First peso-denominated fund focused solely on infrastructure investment opportunities in Mexico
* Mexico's National Infrastructure Fund, FONADIN, to serve as a cornerstone investor

Macquarie Group (“Macquarie”) (ASX: MQG; ADR: MQBKY) today announced the launch of Macquarie Mexican Infrastructure Fund (“MMIF”, “the Fund”), with approximately Ps$5.2 billion ($US408 million) in initial commitments from Mexican pension funds, FONADIN and Macquarie.

MMIF is Macquarie’s first managed fund in Latin America, and is the first peso-denominated fund solely focused on investment opportunities in Mexican infrastructure projects. The Fund will target investments across infrastructure asset classes that include: roads and rail, airports and ports, water and wastewater, energy and utilities as well as social and communications infrastructure.

Mexico’s National Infrastructure Fund, FONADIN (Fondo Nacional de Infraestructura), has made an initial commitment of approximately Ps$1.04 billion ($US81 million) to MMIF. FONADIN has also agreed to invest up to a total of Ps$3 billion (approx $US230) as a cornerstone investor in the Fund. The investment is FONADIN’s first direct investment in an infrastructure fund and is consistent with the Mexican Government’s broader National Infrastructure Program.

Seven of the leading Mexican pension funds have committed an additional Ps$3.42 billion ($US268 million) to the Fund. Macquarie has committed Ps$750 million ($US59 million) to the Fund.

In remarks made today at a press conference at the Mexican Stock Exchange, Mark Ramsey, Executive Director and President of Macquarie Capital in Mexico, said: "MMIF is an attractive investment opportunity that provides Mexican and international institutions with a vehicle to invest in a domestic infrastructure portfolio and contribute to the nation building goals set out in the government's infrastructure plan.”

“We are delighted to have FONADIN and the country’s leading pension funds as cornerstone investors in the Fund and look forward to a long and successful partnership with them. Mexico’s Federal Government and FONADIN have established a clear and ambitious infrastructure program and Macquarie is optimistic about the role our Fund will play in facilitating additional private sector investment into that program."

(c) Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation. Date posted: 19-Jan-10