Private equity (PE) deals inked in the Asia-Pacific region hit an all-time high of $81 billion last year, topping the previous mark of $77 billion in 2007, according to Bain & Company.

In its Asia-Pacific Private Equity Report 2015, Bain estimated that there are some $132 billion of available dry powder in the region - capital raised but not yet invested - that may translate to 2.3 years of future investments. But it flagged that keeping the exit momentum will be one major challenge this year, as it hinges heavily on the health of the volatile IPO (initial public offering) markets.