Key Takeaways
- • Brookfield Asset Management is establishing an office in Doha, Qatar, expanding its Middle East operations, according to Bloomberg.
- • The Doha office will be anchored by Brookfield's global credit platform, including Oaktree Capital Management, and will support private equity, real estate, infrastructure and credit activities.
- • Brookfield currently manages approximately $20bn in assets across the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
- • The expansion follows Brookfield's partnership with Qai, Qatar's AI investment company, to invest $20bn in AI infrastructure across Qatar and international markets.
- • Brookfield joins Advent International, Eurazeo, EQT, Pantheon and BlackRock's Global Infrastructure Partners in expanding Gulf presence as alternative managers pursue sovereign wealth fund relationships.
Summary
Brookfield currently manages approximately $20bn in assets across the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The expansion follows its partnership with Qai, Qatar's artificial intelligence investment company, to invest $20bn in AI infrastructure across Qatar and international markets. Qai was previously a subsidiary of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and has since been transferred to the sovereign wealth fund's newly established domestic investment vehicle, Doha Investment.
Jad Ellawn, Brookfield's managing partner and regional head of the Middle East, said establishing a presence in Doha represents the next stage of the firm's regional growth strategy, highlighting opportunities for investment and long-term partnerships.
The move comes as global alternative asset managers increase their presence in the Gulf, seeking closer relationships with sovereign wealth funds and access to regional investment opportunities. Advent International, Eurazeo, EQT and Pantheon have recently established offices in Abu Dhabi, while BlackRock's Global Infrastructure Partners has also expanded into Doha. Despite economic disruption from the conflict with Iran, QIA reportedly continues to pursue international investment partnerships; in September, it announced plans for a $20bn partnership with JPMorgan Chase, following a similar agreement with Goldman Sachs.
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