Vikas Papriwal, KPMG's Head of SWFs and Private Equity

Vikas Papriwal, KPMG’s Head of SWFs and Private Equity

KPMG has announced the publication of a report on the Sovereign Wealth Funds in the Middle East.

The report represents a collection of articles prepared by KPMG specialists throughout the Middle East and provides insight into the recent trends and developments in SWF investment strategies specifically in the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait. The report also looks at the evolution of SWFs in the Middle East as the region looks to reduce its dependence on energy resources.

Vikas Papriwal, Head of SWFs and Private Equity said “It is clear that the global challenges of the last three years have forced organizations around the world, including SWFs, to evolve. While the investment objectives in the region have certainly changed, including geographical and sector focus, diversification remains a key and common objective for Middle Eastern SWFs as countries in the region seek to reduce their reliance on energy, and oil and gas prices.”

Also in this time of continued economic uncertainty, the role of SWFs in the global economy has only strengthened.

Brad Whittfield, Transactions and Restructuring Associate Director, said “There is no doubt that, as liquidity has tightened in the West due to the financial crisis and more recently, the Euro zone sovereign debt crisis, Middle Eastern SWFs’ influence on the global economy has grown. However, western governments and organisations looking for capital from the Middle East need to be able to demonstrate a deep understanding of what is driving SWFs in the region, and be committed to making long term relationships which add value to their investment policy.”

KPMG’s long term presence in the Middle East and its role in a number of regional landmark projects has enabled the Firm to develop a deep understanding of SWFs in the region which is highlighted by the depth and insight of the report.