Abu Dhabi Investment Company (Adic) and UBS Global Asset Management have announced the first closing of a jointly managed fund to tap major infrastructure development in the Mena region, with commitments of up to $250 million.

The fund is seeking additional commitments to meet its planned target of $600 million. The joint venture, which was formed in 2008, has attracted major institutional investors to its first fund.

The fund will invest in transport networks, power, water, and health and education facilities at a time when governments are pushing ahead with ambitious infrastructure spending plans.

Independent research commissioned by the fund indicates that over $400 billion of infrastructure development is planned for the Middle East and North Africa region over the next decade.

“The Middle East is often seen as a source of capital but we want to highlight to investors that there are also great investment opportunities here,” said Mark Thompson, chief executive of Adic-UBS Infrastructure Investment, based in Abu Dhabi.

Many governments in the region have set aside surpluses from oil revenues for infrastructure development but they are also increasingly turning to institutional investors for the capital to help meet demand driven by fast growing and young populations, he pointed out.

“Infrastructure in the region is still being developed and there’s a massive need for equity,” Thompson added.

“In these very difficult times in global markets, investors are very selective. Our team, which combines experienced and talented individuals from both UBS Global Asset Management and Adic, has over 80 years of investment experience and in-depth knowledge of this region,” said Vincent Gilles, chief investment officer of Adic-UBS Infrastructure Investment.

The Fund aims to make its investments over the next three to five years in the Middle East and North Africa.

“Most of the Fund’s investments will be in ‘greenfield’ assets but because we are talking about primarily government concessions or long-term contracts with solid partners, cash flows are predictable and the risks less than in pure private sector deals,” Gilles added.-TradeArabia News Service