The shareholders of Allco Equity Partners Limited approved resolutions to change the firm's name to Oceania Capital Partners Limited as well as a capital distribution to shareholders based on a price of A$0.65 (US$0.52) per ordinary share. (Australia)

UK-based publisher Pearson invested an aggregate US$30 million in two India-based education companies, Educomp Solutions and TutorVista. Both companies are backed by private equity investors. (India)

Aozora Bank Ltd. and Shinsei Bank Ltd. are discussing a possible merger, according to reports. A merger is expected to take place next year and would create the sixth-largest bank in Japan with ¥19 trillion (US$199 billion) in assets. (Japan)

REX Holdings, Inc., a portfolio company of Advantage Partners, LLP, could be selling its convenience store chain am/pm Japan to Itochu Corporation ('Itochu'). Itochu is currently an owner of FamilyMart Co., Ltd., the country's third-largest convenience store chain. (Japan)

Laox Co. Ltd., an electronics retailer in Japan that is backed by MKS Partners, has agreed to sell a 27.36% to Suning Appliance Co. ('Suning'), China's second-largest home appliance retailer. Following completion of this transaction, Suning will be Laox's biggest shareholder. (Japan)

Japan Asia Investment Co. Ltd. said it had reached an agreement with its creditors to extend the repayment schedule for its ¥39.8 billion (US$414.9 million) debt. (Japan)

Nan Shan Life Insurance Co., Ltd. has reportedly received an expression of interest from J.C. Flowers & Co. LLC. The global private equity firm is believed to be pitted against Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. as well as local bidders, including Fubon Financial Holding Co., Ltd., and Cathay Financial Holdings. (Taiwan)

The International Finance Corp. is considering an investment in a project that entails the transformation of Pakistan's National Rural Support Programme's microfinance loan portfolio into NRSP Microfinance Bank Ltd ('NRSP MFB'). IFC may invest up to US$2.5 million in NRSP MFB. (Pakistan)

Mount Kellett Capital has achieved a final closing of a US$2.5 billion for its maiden Asia fund, according to Reuters. The fund was founded by Mr. Mark McGoldrick, a former partner at Goldman Sachs. (Pan-Asia)

China Everbright Limited, the Hong Kong-based subsidiary of the China Everbright Group, joined hands with the People's Government of Jiangyin and a group of domestic enterprises to set up the 500 million yuan (US$73.1 million) Everbright Venture Investment Jiangyin Co., Ltd.. (People's Republic of China)

The Singapore-based Calamander Group is launching a private equity fund to focus on Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka Private Equity Fund has a target size of US$50 million and will be managed by Calamander Capital (Sri Lanka) Pte Ltd. (Sri Lanka)

A new party has entered into the bidding for some of the European assets of Queensland-based Energy Developments Limited ('Energy Developments'). Earlier, Energy Developments received an incomplete bid from a consortium of investors, led by Archer Capital Pty Limited, to acquire all of the company's assets. (Asutralia)

A consortium of microfinance institutions, including Elevar Equity, MicroVest and the Amar Foundation, committed US$4.25 million to Grama Vidiyal Microfinance Private Ltd., a non-banking finance company that provides financial services to underprivileged women in Tamil Nadu, India. (‪India)

iD TechVentures Inc. invested US$5 million into HiTeam Software Engineering Academy, a unit of the HiTeam Education Group. (People’s Republic of China)

Mianyang Technology City Industrial Investment Fund L.P., an industrial fund managed by CITIC Private Equity Funds Management Co., Ltd. will make its maiden investment in Kuaijishan Shaoxing Wine Co., Ltd., producer of a well-known brand of wine. (People's Republic of China)

Shanghai Puchuang Investment Co., Ltd. has been selected as the winning bidder for a 40% stake in the state-owned Anhui Gujing Group Co., Ltd. ('Gujian'). Based in Anhui province, Gujing is principally engaged in the liquor and distillery industry through its listed subsidiary, Anhui Gujing Distillery Co., Ltd. (People's Republic of China)

Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited, which was invested by Jacob Ballas Capital India Pvt. Ltd., has filed their red herring prospectus and plans to sell 9.3 million shares. The public offering price will be set in the range of 275 rupees to 325 rupees (US$5.5 to US$6.5). (India)

Sequoia Capital India has reportedly sold a portion of its holding in Firstsource Solutions Ltd., a business process outsourcing company. (India)

eircom, the Irish telecommunications company that was backed by eircom Holding Ltd., could be sold to either a strategic or financial investor. Singapore Technologies Telemedia ('STT') is reportedly interested in taking up a stake in the company.
      Separate reports suggest eircom also received interest from Permira and CVC Capital Partners. (Offshore)

Duoyuan Global Water Inc. ('Duoyuan'), a Beijing-based water treatment equipment manufacturer, was listed on New York Stock Exchange on 24th June. The Washington D.C.-based Global Environment Fund invested in Duoyuan in early 2008. (People's Republic of China)

Chemspec International Inc., a specialty chemicals manufacturer in China, was listed on New York Stock Exchange on 24th June.
       In 2007 and 2008, SEAVI Advent Corp. Ltd., Omaha Capital China and Indus Capital Partners, LLC invested in company. (People's Republic China)

Advantage Partners LLP, MKS Partners and Unison Capital Inc. have reached an agreement to sell a majority stake in Kracie Holdings Ltd ('Kracie Holdings').
       Kracie Holdings is a consumer goods manufacturer which came under the control of the investors in early 2006. The potential buyer, Hoyu, is a Nagoya-based hair-dye maker. (Hong Kong)

Lockheed Martin Investment Management has appointed Mr Denis Tse, former Senior Vice President of CDIB Capital, to manage its Asian operations. (Hong Kong)