The World Bank and International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings

The World Bank and International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings wrapped up this weekend after days of high-level panels, crowded elevators, closed-door meetings and corridor dealmaking. The events marked an inflection point for the world’s largest development bank, which has moved forward from a tumultuous internal reorganization but now faces the uncertainty of an international political arena in flux. The values and priorities guiding multilateral cooperation are open for negotiation in a way not seen for the past 70 years. From the vantage point of the World Bank’s atrium, the spring meetings can feel like an open house, with finance ministers, celebrities, politicians and reporters shuttling from building to building and session to session. But over the course of the week, common themes tend to stand out from the crowd, and this year one of them was the role of the World Bank and its peer institutions in managing the various forms of risk that characterize — and challenge — global development today.

World Bank forecast sees minerals jump 16% in 2017

The World Bank is forecasting higher prices for industrial commodities, principally energy and metals, in 2017 and next year. The World Bank in its April Commodity Markets Outlook is holding steady its crude oil price forecast for this year at US$55 per barrel, increasing to an average of US$60 per barrel in 2018. Rising oil prices, supported by production cutbacks by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC states, will allow markets to gradually rebalance. These oil price forecasts are subject to downside risks should the rebound in the U.S. shale oil industry be greater than expected. Prices for energy commodities, which also include natural gas and coal, are projected to jump 26% this year and 8% in 2018. In line with oil price forecasts, natural gas is anticipated to gain 15% this year, led by a jump in U.S. prices. Coal is seen climbing 6% in 2017, due to earlier supply restrictions in China, which consumes half the world’s coal output. Prices for non-energy commodities, which include agriculture, fertilizers, and metals and minerals, are forecast to increase in 2017, the first rise in five years. Metals prices are projected to jump 16% this year due to strong demand, especially from China, and supply constraints, including mine disruptions in Chile, Indonesia and Peru.

World Bank reaffirms commitment to Nigeria’s power sector recovery plan

The World Bank Group has reaffirmed its commitment to support the implementation of the Government’s power sector Recovery Plan to re-establish financial sustainability in Nigeria power sector. Rachid Benmessaoud, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria disclosed this in a consultation meeting with the Federal government of Nigeria, stating that the World bank is committed to provide support for the implementation of the Government’s power Sector Recovery Program which was approved by the Federal Executive Council of Nigeria on March. “The World Bank Group is committed to supporting the implementation of the Government’s Power Sector Recovery Program to re-establish financial sustainability in the power sector” a press statement released in Abuja by the senior communications officer, from the Wolrd Bank Nigeria office, Olufunke Olofun, quoted Benmessaoud as saying. The power sector recovery plan which was approved in March this year, comprises of pet policy actions, operational and financial interventions that needs to be carried out by the government to improve transparency service delivery, performance of DISCOS, transmission company and the entire value chain in order to create a more viable power sector that is private sector driven.

Global Private Group has closed a USD300 million senior secured revolving credit for Industrial Services Firm, a longtime client of Global Private Group

Global Private Group has closed a USD300 million senior secured revolving credit for Industrial Services Firm, a longtime client of Global Private Group. Global Private Group led the syndication as sole lead arranger, and Global Private Group is serving as administrative agent. The Industrial Services Firm provides a suite of special industrial services including scaffolding, coatings and linings, refractory, fireproofing and insulation to critical infrastructure. The Company serves the petrochemical, agricultural chemical, refinery, power generation, offshore energy and general industrial markets. The Industrial Services Firm will use the funds, in part, for acquisitions, to refinance existing credit facilities, and to provide for ongoing working capital needs, including capital expenditures. The deal also includes additional capital markets and treasury management products. Global Private Group is one of the largest and most experienced project finance groups in the world compromising more than 300 dedicated specialists in our offices worldwide who are fully qualified to provide financial services and products. Stable financing, efficient execution, expert solutions and customer service are how we help clients succeed. Our broad range of lending products in the areas of corporate lending and investment banking, combined with access to strong capital base; allows us to execute financing that supports your business objectives. Our deal professionals' industry expertise and attention to your goals during every step of the loan process allows us to offer solutions that help you achieve success.

More Action Needed to Meet Energy Goals by 2030, New Report Finds

The current pace of progress on three global energy goals – access to electricity, renewable energy and efficiency – is not moving fast enough to meet 2030 targets, according to the latest Global Tracking Framework (GTF) report released today by the World Bank and the International Energy Agency as part of the Sustainable Energy for All Knowledge Hub. The report shows that the increase of people getting access to electricity is slowing down, and if this trend is not reversed, projections are that the world will only reach 92% electrification by 2030, still short of universal access. Only energy efficiency made progress towards meeting these objectives; with energy savings during the 2012-2014 GTF reporting period enough to supply Brazil and Pakistan combined. While the research found that most countries are not doing enough, some are showing encouraging progress, including Afghanistan, Cambodia, Kenya, Malawi, Sudan, Uganda, Zambia, and Rwanda. These countries underscore that accelerating progress towards universal access is possible with the right policies, robust investments (both public and private) and innovative technology. Rachel Kyte, CEO and Special Representative to the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All, said: “If we’re to make access to clean, affordable and reliable energy a reality, action must be driven through political leadership. This new data is a warning for world leaders to take more focused, urgent action on access to energy and clean cooking, improving efficiency and use of renewables to meet our goals. While we are making some progress - with many of the technologies we need available and policy roadmaps increasingly clear - it's not enough. We all made the commitment to act, and every day we delay it becomes more painful and expensive.”

World Bank: Growth in East Asia & Pacific Likely to Remain Resilient

The outlook for developing East Asia is expected to remain broadly positive in the next three years, driven by robust domestic demand and a gradual recovery in the global economy and commodity prices, according to a new World Bank report. Poverty in the region is likely to continue to fall, driven by sustained growth and rising labor incomes. The global environment and domestic vulnerabilities, however, still pose risks to the region’s prospects. In the face of faster-than-expected interest rate hikes in the U.S., protectionist sentiments in some advanced economies, and rapid credit expansion and high levels of debt in several East Asian countries, the report recommends that policy makers continue to focus on prudent macroeconomic management and ensuring sustainable fiscal balances in the medium term. The just-released East Asia and Pacific Economic Update expects the Chinese economy to continue to slow down gradually, as it rebalances toward consumption and services. It forecasts China’s growth rate to be 6.5 percent in 2017 and 6.3 percent in 2018, compared with 6.7 percent in 2016. In the rest of the region, including the large economies in Southeast Asia, growth is expected to pick up slightly to 5 percent in 2017 and 5.1 percent in 2018, up from 4.9 percent in 2016. As a whole, the economies of developing East Asia and Pacific are projected to expand at 6.2 percent in 2017 and 6.1 percent in 2018. “Sound policies and a gradual pickup in global economic prospects have helped developing East Asia and Pacific sustain growth and reduce poverty,” said Victoria Kwakwa, World Bank Vice President for East Asia and Pacific. “For this resilience to be sustained, countries will need to reduce fiscal vulnerabilities while improving the quality of public spending and fostering global and regional integration.”

Growth Returns to Latin America and Counter-Cyclical Policies Increase

In a positive development, today more than ever before, Latin American and Caribbean countries are pursuing counter-cyclical fiscal policies - spending more in bad times and saving in good times, according to a new World Bank semiannual report for the region. "Leaning against the Wind: Fiscal Policy in Latin America and the Caribbean in a Historical Perspective" argues that the transformation is significant for a region that has often pursued pro-cyclical spending – increasing the risks of overheating economies during boom times and making recessions deeper during the bad times. According to the Consensus Forecasts, Gross Domestic Product in the region is expected to grow by 1.5 percent this year and 2.5 percent in 2018, putting an end to six years of an economic downturn, including recession over the past two years. If they materialize, recoveries expected in Brazil and Argentina will largely fuel the return to growth in the region. Mexico’s growth is expected to hover at around 1.4 percent, while Central America and the Caribbean will maintain steady growth of around 3.8 percent.

Economic Growth in Africa is on the Upswing Following a Sharp Slowdown

Economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa is rebounding in 2017 after registering the worst decline in more than two decades in 2016, according to the new Africa’s Pulse, a bi-annual analysis of the state of African economies conducted by the World Bank. The region is showing signs of recovery, and regional growth is projected to reach 2.6% in 2017. However, the recovery remains weak, with growth expected to rise only slightly above population growth, a pace that hampers efforts to boost employment and reduce poverty. Nigeria, South Africa, and Angola, the continent’s largest economies, are seeing a rebound from the sharp slowdown in 2016, but the recovery has been slow due to insufficient adjustment to low commodity prices and policy uncertainty. Furthermore, several oil exporters in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) are facing economic difficulties. The latest data reveal that seven countries (Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Rwanda, Senegal, and Tanzania) continue to exhibit economic resilience, supported by domestic demand, posting annual growth rates above 5.4% in 2015-2017. These countries house nearly 27% of the region’s population and account for 13% of the region’s total GDP.

IFC, Amundi to Create World’s Largest Green-Bond Fund Dedicated to Emerging Markets

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and Amundi, a leading European Asset Manager, today agreed to create the largest green-bond fund dedicated to emerging markets—a $2 billion initiative that aims to deepen local capital markets and expand financing for climate investments. The global market for green bonds has expanded rapidly in recent years—totaling more than $100 billion in 2016. But a huge gap persists: few banks in developing countries have issued such bonds. IFC and Amundi expect the new fund to encourage more local financial institutions to issue green bonds by increasing global demand and building local markets. Together, through a donor-funded investment support facility led by IFC, they will work with local financial institutions to strengthen their capacity to issue green bonds, providing training and sharing international best practices with them.

The capital being invested in VC-backed startups

The capital being invested in VC-backed startups is gradually decreasing — something the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) and PitchBook describe as a return to normalcy in their report, which was released today. Dealflow slows During the first quarter of 2017, investors poured $16.5 billion into 1,797 venture-backed startups, including Airbnb, SoFi, and Instacart (which claimed a combined $1.9 billion of the total). This shows a decrease in both the amount invested and the number of deals closed compared to Q1 of 2016, when VCs poured $18.7 billion into 2,366 venture-backed startups. Megafunds retreat Another sign of normalcy: less capital raised by venture firms in Q1. VCs raised $7.9 billion across 58 funds, down roughly 24 percent from the capital raised in Q1 of last year. “A major contributing factor to the decline in fundraising totals in the first quarter was the absence of mega-funds raised,” the report said. The majority of new VC funds in Q1 were for less than $250 million. Mithril Capital and Spark Capital were the only two firms that raised funds north of $500 million — $850 million for Mithril and $612.8 million for Spark. Venrock, Lux Capital, and Versant Ventures all raised $400 to $450 million funds. Among angel and seed investors, 500 Startups, Techstars, Elevate Ventures, First Round Capital, Global Private Group, and SOSV closed the most deals.

Global Private Group successfully agented and syndicated over USD2 billion in 30 deals.

Global Private Group successfully agented and syndicated over USD2 billion in 30 deals. Global Private Group stands among a limited number of upper market lenders who have the ability to loan up to USD25 Billion and underwrite and syndicate transactions up to USD50 Billion, providing a unique competitive advantage. “In recent years, aligned with our goal to deliver fully underwritten solutions, Global Private Group has continued to expand its capital markets presence, increasing its volume of middle and upper market syndications and club transactions. Amidst widespread demand for middle market senior secured assets, as a leading direct origination platform, we have experienced increased interest from third parties to participate in our deals,” says Chief Executive of Global Private Group. “We are pleased with the growth in our capital markets business and continue to believe that additional opportunity exists to further penetrate the middle and upper market.” Global Private Group is one of the largest and most experienced project finance groups in the world compromising more than 300 dedicated specialists in our offices worldwide who are fully qualified to provide financial services and products. Stable financing, efficient execution, expert solutions and customer service are how we help clients succeed. Our broad range of lending products in the areas of corporate lending and investment banking, combined with access to strong capital base; allows us to execute financing that supports your business objectives. Our deal professionals' industry expertise and attention to your goals during every step of the loan process allows us to offer solutions that help you achieve success.

Global Private Group, one of the largest and most experienced project finance groups in the world

Global Private Group, one of the largest and most experienced project finance groups in the world, has increased its credit facility with a privately held registered investment adviser dedicated to alternative investing, by an additional USD250 million to a total of USD745 million. The company will use the additional capital to support the rapid growth of its credit products in the Europe and for further investment in its suite of online credit solutions. “Our Client has become a clear leader in this space and we are excited to support their growth,” says the CEO at Global Private Group. “We view the company as a best-in-class platform that is mission-driven in providing underserved consumers with transparent and responsible credit products.” “Despite market turmoil in the online lending space over the past few months, our client has continued to benefit from high consumer demand for its products and has experienced year-over-year loan portfolio growth. This expanded credit facility with Global Private Group will help us continue to serve this growing consumer need.” Global Private Group is one of the largest and most experienced project finance groups in the world compromising more than 300 dedicated specialists in our offices worldwide who are fully qualified to provide financial services and products. Stable financing, efficient execution, expert solutions and customer service are how we help clients succeed. Our broad range of lending products in the areas of corporate lending and investment banking, combined with access to strong capital base; allows us to execute financing that supports your business objectives. Our deal professionals' industry expertise and attention to your goals during every step of the loan process allows us to offer solutions that help you achieve success.

Global Private Group closes investment funds

Global Private Group, has held the final closes of its first mezzanine-focused co-investment fund at USD475 million and its third real assets fund at USD866 million

Tesla has inched ahead of General Motors to become the most valuable car company in America.

Tesla has inched ahead of General Motors to become the most valuable car company in America. The electric-car maker hit a market value of $50.84 billion on Monday, edging past GM (GM) at $50.79 billion. It's another milestone for Tesla (TSLA), which passed Ford (F), valued at about $45 billion, last week. And Tesla is inching closer to Japan's Honda (HMC), which has a market value of about $54 billion. Toyota, the most valuable car company in the world, is three times as big. Tesla loses money, and it sells a small fraction of the cars of its much older competitors. Tesla sold about 25,000 of its Model S and Model X cars in the first three months of the year, compared with 690,000 cars and trucks for GM and 617,000 for Ford in the United States alone. Rebecca Lindland, executive analyst at Kelley Blue Book, says Tesla is being treated differently than other carmakers. "They're classified as a tech company," she told CNNMoney, "so they're not really held to the same standards." She adds that while Wall Street focuses on more traditional criteria -- like profitability -- for established companies like Ford and GM, "Tesla kind of gets a free pass." Lindland doesn't think the attention Tesla's been getting from the stock market is necessarily unwarranted, especially if electric and self-driving cars take off as expected. "When we think about the future of mobility, they're very well-positioned," she says.

IMF warns protectionism and monetary tightening to hurt emerging markets

Emerging economies are set to slow this year as the U.S. Federal Reserve begins raising interest rates and there's a rising protectionist rhetoric in advanced economies , the International Monetary Fund warned on Monday. While emerging and developing markets have benefited from rising commodity prices and capital inflows in the post-2000 period, the recovery from the North Atlantic financial crisis and China's attempts to re-balance its economy have reduced growth among commodity exporters. Now, rising protectionist rhetoric and the expected tightening of financial conditions pose new threats to emerging markets, the IMF noted in its World Economic Outlook report.

Goldman Sachs is telling investors to stay cautious

France's presidential election is rapidly approaching, and Goldman Sachs is telling investors to stay cautious. The investment banking giant recommended Monday that investors short French bond futures expiring in June ahead of the contest, amid the possibility that anti-establishment candidate Marine Le Pen or Jean-Luc Melenchon could stun pollsters with a win. Political polling recently has been a terrible predictor of actual election results, internationally. Polls heading into last year's Brexit vote and the U.S. presidential election were mostly wrong, causing shockwaves across financial markets. In France, investors predict that a Le Pen or Melenchon victory would likewise send markets into a frenzy.

GLOBAL PRIVATE GROUP is a direct lender therefore we are able to ensure prompt processing times and variety of financial products, including 100% project financing.

GLOBAL PRIVATE GROUP is a direct lender therefore we are able to ensure prompt processing times and variety of financial products, including 100% project financing. Financial Management Services & Business Consulting As one of the world's leading and most diverse financial services firm, Global Private Group serves the needs of our clients by offering a world-class project funding platform coupled with straightforward, intelligent advice. We attribute our long-term success to our commitment of always putting clients' interests first; whether it's raising capital for new ventures or to meet growth objectives for expanding businesses. Global Private Group also offers wealth management, capital markets, going public, mergers and acquisition, restructuring, risk and research platform of unrivalled strength and scale. Global Private Group has long standing strategic alliances with major banks, financial institutions, and hedge funds. These strategic partnerships and relationships consist of some of the most prestigious financial institutions in the world. Global Private Group also offers a diversified, multi-line Investment Banking Division, authorized to advise and arrange financial services to our clients. We specialize in providing value-added advice and services to our clients on complex strategic and financial decisions and transactions focused around Fund Raising, Mergers and Acquisitions, Equity and Debt Private Placements, Initial Public Offerings, Corporate Advisory, Capital Restructuring, and Wealth Management solutions for both institutional and private clients. Our approach revolves around developing individually tailored bespoke solutions for our clientele across all three lines of our business: Investment Banking, Private Fund Raising and Corporate Finance Solutions. We provide financing solutions that are tailored to our clients’ unique needs, executed by industry experts, and backed by a strong asset base. Providing Financial Strength to our clients We principally provide senior debt in the form of loans from US $25 million to US $20 billion. Our strength lies in our effective loan process, industry expertise, international origination platform, outstanding credit work, strong management, and strong asset base. Combined, these attributes allow us to offer customized financial solutions to you in the leveraged finance, corporate finance, private fund raising, and security industries.

Global Private Group closes USD $ 765 Million Private Investment Fund

Global Private Group closes USD $ 765 Million Private Investment Fund. The Fund was oversubscribed.

Global Private Group has concluded a financing round worth EUR430 million for International Retailer.

Global Private Group has concluded a financing round worth EUR430 million for International Retailer. Due to high demand, the funding commitment was raised by EUR30 million from the original EUR400 million. This includes the conversion of an investment from a prior financing round. The Retailer is valued at EUR1 billion following the transaction. The Retailer again relied on a Global Private Group team led by partner from their European Office. Global Private Group had already closely supported both the formation and evolution of the Retailer on the side of the fashion platform. Global Private Group was engaged by the Retailer in the first EUR150 million financing round and the integration of two more fashion portals into the fashion platform. Global Private Group is one of the largest and most experienced project finance groups in the world compromising more than 300 dedicated specialists in our offices worldwide who are fully qualified to provide financial services and products. Stable financing, efficient execution, expert solutions and customer service are how we help clients succeed. Our broad range of lending products in the areas of corporate lending and investment banking, combined with access to strong capital base; allows us to execute financing that supports your business objectives. Our deal professionals' industry expertise and attention to your goals during every step of the loan process allows us to offer solutions that help you achieve success.

Global Private Group has advised a specialist steel products company on the refinancing of its USD1.8 billion term loan.

Global Private Group has advised a specialist steel products company on the refinancing of its USD1.8 billion term loan. The refinancing and restructuring transaction was handled by Global Private Group as the sole arranger. The term of the refinancing transaction is ten (10) years. Offices in Asia and Middle East, the steel products company says that their growth strategy was secured by Global Private Group’s Advisory Team and Global Private Group’s expertise on restructuring large loans. The steel products company expects their revenue to exceed USD 15 Billion in 2017. Global Private Group is one of the largest and most experienced project finance groups in the world compromising more than 300 dedicated specialists in our offices worldwide who are fully qualified to provide financial services and products. Stable financing, efficient execution, expert solutions and customer service are how we help clients succeed. Our broad range of lending products in the areas of corporate lending and investment banking, combined with access to strong capital base; allows us to execute financing that supports your business objectives. Our deal professionals' industry expertise and attention to your goals during every step of the loan process allows us to offer solutions that help you achieve success.