UK-based 3i Group Plc ('3i') will be consolidating its resources and staff in Beijing with the close of its Hong Kong and Shanghai offices. (Regional)

Transpac Industrial Holdings Ltd., an investment vehicle managed by Transpac Capital, announced its proposed rights issue aggregating to a maximum amount of S$88 million (US$59.7 million). The proceeds from the issue will be used to repay "outstanding bank loans" and purchase other assets currently managed by Transpac Capital. (Singapore)

Taiwan's legislators are calling for an investigation into all loans made by domestic banks to foreign investors. One of the most high-profile ones is the NT$20.8 billion (US$650 million) facility arranged by Mega International Commercial Bank Co. in relation to TPG's 2006 investment in Taishin Financial Holding Co. (Taiwan)

PBL Media announced it will receive an additional A$335 million equity injection from CVC Asia Pacific and CVC Capital Partners following acceptance of its recapitalisation proposal. (Australia)

IDFC Private Equity announced its 2 billion rupees (US$40.4 million) deployment to Deepak Cables (India) Ltd., a leading player in India's power transmission and distribution segment. (India)

Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia is reportedly close to acquiring a 30% stake in Biotor Industries Ltd. (formerly Jayant Oils and Derivatives Ltd.) for 2 billion rupees (US$40.4 million). Biotor Industries is the largest producer of castor oil and its derivatives in the world. (India)

Japan's first online marketplace, maneo Inc. announced it has successfully raised ¥187 million (US$2.11 million) from Yasuda Enterprise Development, DIT Partners, iSigma Capital, Neostella Capital and GMO VenturePartners. maneo was established in April 2007, and provides loan and auction services.(Japan)

Beijing-based South Beauty Catering Management Group ('South Beauty') has raised 300 million yuan (US$43.9 million) from CDH investments and China International Capital Corporation Limited. (People's Republic of China)

HSBC Private Equity Asia has completed its US$75 million commitment to Fujian Yonghui Group, the largest supermarket chain in Fujian Province. (People's Republic of China)

Aureos Capital-managed Aureos South-East Asia Fund announced it has invested US$5.6 million in Marsun Co. Ltd., a shipbuilding company based in Thailand. (Thailand)

Goldman Sachs, Daiwa Securities SMBC Principal Investments Co. Ltd. and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation have reportedly accepted the ¥131 (US$1.48) per share offered by Panasonic Corp. in the sale of Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd., according to Nikkei. (Japan)

Sacombank (Saigon Thuong Tin Bank) announced International Finance Corp., a shareholder since 2002, is planning to sell half of its stake. In July 2006, Sacombank became the first local bank to become a quoted stock on the Vietnam stock exchange, offering its shares at 81,000 dong (US$5.0) each. At the close of 18th December, its shares changed hands at 19,300 dong each. (Vietnam)