The Carlyle Group Raises $134 Million for First Mexico Investment Fund; Team of Five Has Made Two Investments and Sees Increasing Opportunity

Mexico City – Global private equity firm The Carlyle Group today announced that it has raised $134 million for its first fund dedicated to investments in Mexico. Carlyle Mexico Partners (Carlyle Mexico), which is already 29 percent invested, makes control investments in companies primarily in Carlyle’s seven areas of sector expertise. CMP’s five dedicated investment professionals are based in Mexico City.

Carlyle Mexico is headed by Managing Director Joaquin Avila. Mr. Avila established Carlyle Mexico Partners in January 2004 and has served as Co-head of the team since that time until becoming Head of the fund in December 2006. Mr. Miguel Valenzuela and Mr. Rodrigo Fonseca have also been part of the team of investment professionals since the group’s inception. Carlyle Mexico has already invested in two companies -- Universidad Latinoamericana and Hispanic Teleservices Corporation.

David M. Rubenstein, Carlyle Co-founder, said, "As we’ve seen in markets around the globe, Mexico presents an excellent opportunity to combine private equity investments with quality local businesses to create first class global competitors. Our team is focused on these opportunities and will continue to develop a solid portfolio for Carlyle Mexico Partners."

Mr. Avila said, "We appreciate the commitment and confidence of our limited partners. This is an exciting and important time for private equity in Mexico, as companies increasingly seek to shed non-core assets or partner with a firm that brings operational and financial expertise. The two investments we have made are doing well and benefiting from Carlyle’s sector knowledge and global network."

Carlyle Mexico Partners Portfolio Companies

Universidad Latinoamericana: Acquired in September 2005; private university founded in 1975 that has two campuses in Mexico City and one in Cuernavaca, Morelos. ULA offers programs ranging from high school to 12 undergraduate degrees, six masters degrees and one Ph.D. www.ula.edu.mx.

Hispanic Teleservices Corporation: Acquired in December 2005; provider of outsourced contact center services for companies serving the U.S. Hispanic market. HTC helps clients grow their Hispanic market share by offering a solution that integrates scalable inbound bilingual contact center services with specialized professional services. www.htc.to.