(Reuters) Hamilton Lane, a leading global private markets asset management firm, today announced the final closing of its first dedicated fund in Brazil, closing on R$150m (around US$63m).

The Fund represents a major milestone for both Hamilton Lane and Brazil, as it is the country’s first fully-integrated private equity fund-of-funds including primaries, secondaries and co-investments.

The Fund is comprised of a diverse group of Brazilian institutional investors, including pension funds, multi-family offices and financial institutions. At the time of closing, the Fund had already committed nearly R$55.8m through six deals, which are diversified across vintage year, strategy and maturity. The Fund will target investment opportunities throughout Brazil and specifically in the healthcare, education, natural resources, energy and essential consumer goods sectors.

“We are pleased to announce the final close of our first fund in Brazil,” said Mario Giannini, Chief Executive Officer of Hamilton Lane. “Brazil’s economic and investment landscape has continued to mature since our venture into the region, and the country has established itself as a key area of opportunity in private markets investing. We remain committed to the region for the long term and look forward to continuing to build on our success in Brazil and across Latin America.”

Ricardo Fernandez Jr., Co-Head of Hamilton Lane’s Rio de Janeiro office, added: “The growing middle class, improved regulatory framework and healthy global business ecosystem have laid the foundation for sound market opportunities in Brazil. Although our long-term views have remained the same since we launched the Fund, we have seen entry-level prices dropping substantially since the first closing and we are capitalizing on the resulting opportunities. Given the uncertainty around the capital markets right now, Brazilian institutions are looking to partner with the right manager to help them find ways to continue to grow. We are confident that we will see strong vintages in this Fund.”

Hamilton Lane opened its first office in Brazil in September 2011 and has been actively investing in the region since 1997, currently managing more than $1.2 billion throughout Latin America. Hamilton Lane has steadily grown its presence and resources in Brazil and today boasts a team of four investment and business development professionals in the Rio de Janeiro office, which is managed by Ricardo Fernandez Jr. and Filipe Cerqueira Caldas. The two have nearly 20 years of combined experience in the private markets and Latin America, enabling them to provide Hamilton Lane’s clients with invaluable local expertise and insight.