Baring Private Equity Asia (“Baring Asia’) announced today that funds advised by Baring Asia have entered into an agreement to acquire a minority stake in Lafarge India, the affiliate of Lafarge SA in India, for INR 14 billion (US$256 million). The company has an established presence in India and is a market leader in the ready-­‐mix concrete business.

Today India is the second-­‐largest cement producing country in the world after China. Strong growth in demand for housing and the government’s focus on developing infrastructure is expected to sustain high future growth rates for cement manufacturers in the country.

Jean Eric Salata, CEO of Baring Asia, said, “Lafarge India is an excellent company operating in a high growth market and we look forward to working with Lafarge SA and the company’s management to further develop the business.

“Having traditionally partnered with numerous entrepreneurs across Asia, this investment also demonstrates the opportunities for Baring Asia to partner with European and North American corporations in funding the development of their Asian operations.”

About Baring Asia
Baring Asia is one of the largest and most established independent private equity firms in Asia and advises funds that manage more than $5 billion in committed capital. The firm runs a pan‐Asian investment program, specializing in mid‐cap buyouts and providing growth capital to companies for expansion or acquisitions. The firm has been investing in Asia since its formation in 1997 and has approximately 100 employees located across seven offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Mumbai, Singapore, Jakarta and Tokyo. Baring Asia currently has over 30 portfolio companies across Asia.

About Lafarge Group
A world leader in building materials, Lafarge employs 65,000 people in 64 countries, and posted sales of €15.8 billion in 2012. As a top-­‐ranking player in its Cement, Aggregates and Concrete businesses, it contributes to the construction of cities around the world, through its innovative solutions providing them with more housing and making them more compact, more durable, more beautiful, and better connected. With the world’s leading building materials research facility, Lafarge places innovation at the heart of its priorities in order to contribute to more sustainable construction and to better serve architectural creativity. Since 2010, the Lafarge Group has been part of the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, the first global sustainability benchmark in recognition of its sustainable development actions. More information is available on Lafarge’s website: www.lafarge.com.

Media Contact
Richard Barton, Newgate Communications
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With Baring Asia’s support, we will be able to further enhance our leading position in a consolidating industry and take the business to the next level.”