Abraaj Capital voted 'Middle East Private Equity Firm of the Year'

PEI is recognised as one of the most respected and widely read publications for the private equity industry. More than 20,000 of its registered members voted for the Global Private Equity Awards 2005.

Commenting on the award for Abraaj, PEI said: "Now in their fifth year, the Global Private Equity Award delivers over 50 different awards to the private equity people and firms that are voted top of their class by their peers. Over 20,000 votes were cast online and, uniquely, voters continue to be unfettered by predetermined shortlists, nor are their choices reshaped by a panel of judges."

The award marks a year of significant achievement for Abraaj Capital that closed the region's biggest ever fund, the Abraaj Buyout Fund II, at $500 million. It also manages investments for the Abraaj Buyout Fund I, The Abraaj Special Opportunities Fund and the Abraaj Real Estate Fund.

Among the global award categories, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts co-founder Henry Kravis was voted "Private Equity Personality of the Year", ahead of Terra Firma's Guy Hands and Texas Pacific Group Head David Bonderman. "Large Buyout Firm of the Year" was The Blackstone Group while "Venture Firm of the Year" went to veteran firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, followed by fellow West Coast venture capital firm Sequoia Capital and European house Index Ventures.