IMAP Morocco (Ascent Capital Partners) advised Zalar Holding on capital raise by Japan's Mitsui Group

Zalar Holding, a leader in the Moroccan poultry sector and present throughout entire value chain of the sector, has announced that Mitsui Group is becoming a shareholder in the company. The large Japanese conglomerate is a world leader and present in the sectors of infrastructure, energy, transport, financial services and agribusiness. Mitsui’s investment will support Zalar's business development within Morocco and its international expansion strategy, particularly in West Africa.

The Mitsui Group's investment of USD 25 million is in the form of a capital increase of Zalar. This contribution will support the Company's medium-term development plan, including augmenting grain storage capacities, increasing hatching and breeding capacity in Morocco, and the expansion of its poultry activity into Senegal.

Ascent Capital Partners acted as exclusive financial advisers of Zalar Holding for this transaction.

Ali Berbich, Managing Director of Zalar Holding, said

"We are delighted with this partnership with Mitsui, a leading Sogo Shosha, which further strengthens the Group's shareholding base and reinforces our strategic vision, both in Morocco and in Africa. Much more than its capital contribution, which will add to our equity capital, Mitsui will provide us with its proven expertise in the poultry sector and enable us to achieve synergies with the conglomerate's large portfolio of subsidiaries and partners. Zalar is now able to accelerate its investment program across all of its business areas.”