Summer 2014

How Saudi Arabia fell in love with real estate

Investors in the Gulf’s largest economy have a preference for property. But is it wise to be so exposed to real estate? George Mitton...

INTERVIEW: Equilibrium point

Saudi investors withdrew from equity funds after a disastrous market crash in 2006. The chief executive of the country’s largest equity manager hopes the...

PROJECT BONDS: Is it time to bet on infrastructure debt?

Will Middle East infrastructure debt finally come of age as an asset class? Progress won’t be fast, but it is coming. George Mitton reports. There...

EUROPEAN REGULATION: Following the caravan

Will the onset of the AIFMD in Europe push hedge funds and other alternative fund managers to set up in the MENA region? Dave...

INTERVIEW: “Because everybody’s there”

The DIFC’s strategy chief explains the centre’s popularity in the face of high rents, and admits there is a shortage of DIFC-domiciled funds. He...

ASSET MANAGEMENT ROUNDTABLE: A fragmented market

Our regional asset management panel talked about distribution, “cumbersome” regulation, and why regional fund managers have had their model wrong for years. Chaired by...

MOROCCO: Falling down again

Could relegation to a frontier market be a blessing in disguise for Morocco’s stock exchange? Orlando Crowcroft reports. Few were surprised when Morocco’s stock exchange...

LEGAL COLUMN: NASDAQ’s Dubai desert is now in full bloom

When the 15-storey twin banners announcing the successful IPO of Emirates REIT were unfurled on the Gate Building in the Dubai International Financial...

ABU DHABI ROUNDTABLE: Co-operation in the UAE

Our panel in Abu Dhabi discussed sovereign wealth funds, plans for the UAE’s second financial free zone, and memories of unscrupulous wealth managers. Chaired...

CUSTODY: An opening for custody

New fund rules in Saudi Arabia could open up the market for independent custodians, though some obstacles must still be overcome. George Mitton reports. Among...