KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 9): Government-linked private equity fund Ekuiti Nasional Bhd (Ekuinas) hopes to meet its investment target of between RM500 million and RM600 million this year, according to CEO Datuk Abdul Rahman Ahmad.

Abdul Rahman said the investment target came on the back of a better outlook in deal flows this year, attributable to the strong first half growth in the Malaysian economy and increased awareness of private equity among companies.

"The deal pipeline for 2014 is looking pretty good. We are hoping to hit our target investment rate of between RM500 million and RM600 million," Abdul Rahman Ahmad said.

Abdul Rahman was speaking to the press on the sidelines of the inaugural Malaysian Private Equity Forum 2014, hosted by the Employees Provident Fund and Ekuinas.

He noted that Ekuinas had already invested about RM400 million year-to-date.

Ekuinas had recently undertaken about RM400 million worth of investments in Orkim Sdn Bhd and CoolBlog Sdn Bhd.

"With that, we are looking at a number of deal pipelines (currently)," he said

Asked if Ekuinas would exceed its investment target, Abdul Rahman said it did not cap the investment amount.

He said if there are interesting opportunities that fit Ekuinas' criteria, meet its guidelines and offer good growth opportunities and potential returns, the firm would do the deal.