Asiya Investments (Asiya), the GCC's premier emerging Asia-focused investment firm, has announced the launch of its new office in Hong Kong to manage the regional activities there.

The Asia specialist investment firm's establishment of a permanent, on-the-ground, presence is in response to growing demand from GCC investors for more direct access to emerging Asia's growth opportunities, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

Asiya Investments' proximity to these markets is expected to further deepen its relationships with local institutions and businesses and enhance its ability to source more investments in Asia, which today accounts for over 20 per cent of the world's GDP and 35 per cent of the growth in the global economy.

Asiya Investments Hong Kong is managed by its two executive directors, Sulaiman Alireza and Dan Xystus.

With a 20-strong team of investment professionals in place in Hong Kong, they will focus on further building Asiya's investments in public markets as well as direct investments across emerging Asia.

"We are really excited about this move, which we have been working on since we established Asiya Investments Dubai last year," Asiya Investments group managing director Ahmad Al Hamad said.

"What this move does for us is build upon the solid foundations we've established over the past eight years.

"Since 2005, we have steadily built a strong presence in Asia through our partners and the investments we've made, which total over $500 million," he added.-TradeArabia News Service