Taylor Wessing Paris advices Proparco and Unigrains on their investment in a dedicated fund targeting agribusiness in India

The Paris office of international law firm TAYLOR WESSING has acted as sole counsel to PROPARCO and UNIGRAINS in connection with their respective investment of US $7.5m and US $2m into SEAF India Agribusiness International, this vehicle completing on such occasion its second fundraising. SEAF India Agribusiness International was established by SEAF, an international not-for-profit organisation that sets up and manages investment vehicles around the world, with a particular focus on small and medium enterprises in developing or emerging countries such as India.

The fund will co-invest alongside SEAF India Agribusiness Fund, a local investment fund which has attracted renowned Indian investors. These two funds intend to co-invest up to US $75m in the Indian agribusiness and agro-industrial sectors over a 9-year period. The investments of an average value of US $2 to 7m are destined to Indian SME with a strong agricultural potential throughout the region.

The two French investors have chosen to combine their strengths to support this innovative approach. PROPARCO (a financial development institution owned by French State development agency AFD and various private shareholders) will contribute its renown projects experience in emerging countries, while UNIGRAINS (a financial company specialising in agribusiness and agro-industry owned by cereal sector professionals) will contribute its expertise in the agribusiness and agro-industrial sectors.

Pierre Tallot, partner and head of the banking and finance practice of Taylor Wessing (Paris) advised PROPARCO and UNIGRAINS as lead counsel throughout the negotiation, documentation and completion of their investment. SEAF and its related funds were advised by BLC Chambers.

Lawyers Pierre Tallot