PRINT THIS PAGE KKR to open two offices in Asia14/09/2005. Source: AltAssets. 
 US buy-out giant Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. has chosen Hong Kong and Tokyo as locations for the firm's first offices Asia.
Henry R Kravis, founding member of KKR, said, 'The Asian markets will have a pivotal global influence in the coming decades and will offer significant investment opportunities for both KKR and our existing portfolio companies.'
'As the role of private equity in Asia grows and is further defined, KKR will carefully assess the landscape and determine the most appropriate ways to be a leading participant in that process,' Kravis continued.
George R Roberts, also a founding member of KKR, added, 'After 29 years of successful private equity investing in over 130 transactions, KKR has the institutional expertise and, equally important, the institutional culture, to expand in a deliberate and meaningful way into an exciting new market.'
Joseph Y Bae, a KKR managing director, will lead the firm's operations in Asia. He will move from New York to Hong Kong at the end of the year. Justin Reizes, a principal from KKR's London office, will join him. Together, they will spearhead KKR's efforts in the region.
In recent months a range of big private equity firms have established offices in Asia, including Carlyle, Permira, Blackstone, AXA Private Equity and 3i.
KKR currently has to deal with the departures of two of its most senior executives. Ned Gilhuly and Scott Stuart have left the firm to start their own fund, according to reports. The pair was expected to take over KKR when the founders decide to retire.
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