US-based Russell Investments, a leader in multi-manager investment services, has renewed its ME partnership deal with Rayan Asset Management, a leading investment consultancy in the Middle East.

Rayan Asset Management and Russell Investments joined forces in 2002 and this successful union will continue into 2011 and beyond, said a statement from Rayan.

This alliance has emerged as a winning combination despite the challenging market climate and obstacles from competition. So Rayan will once again represent Russell Investments in the Middle East, it added.

Pascal Duval, executive managing director, EMEA at Russell, said, 'Russell views the Middle East as a region of great potential for international investors, and we are dedicating resources to research investment opportunities with world-class local talent. This will lead to the creation of specialized investment vehicles.'

'We look forward many more years' success working with Rayan to bring market-leading solutions to investors across the region,' he added.

Founded by Farid Bedjaoui and Ziad Dalloul, Rayan Asset Management provides optimal investment solutions for its clients, building upon Russell Investments's forte. This winning exclusive partnership delivers added value for Middle Eastern institutional investors.

'The synergies achieved between the Rayan and Russell teams...has made this alliance a very powerful one.' And this strategic alliance has given birth to a thriving track record with clients including SWFs, pension funds and leading banks as distribution partners,' noted Bedjaoui, who is also Rayan's CEO.

'The local presence of the Rayan team fills a gap which is essential for winning business and successfully managing client relationships.' And these positive relationships extend to distribution partners like Ahli United Bank, which benefits from Rayan's invaluable support and business development initiatives via ongoing training and assistance,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service