Singapore's Temasek to enter Middle East with offices in UAE and Saudi Arabia

Singapore's Temasek Holdings plans to expand its presence in the Middle East by opening offices in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The state-owned investment firm, with a net portfolio of approximately $400 billion, aims to establish strategic hubs in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh. These offices are projected to launch in 2027, subject to local authorities' approval.

This move will expand Temasek's global network to 15 offices across 11 countries, including China, India, the UK, and the US. Temasek also intends to actively engage with companies in Qatar and other Middle Eastern markets to explore partnership and investment opportunities.

Temasek's CEO, Dilhan Sandrasegara, emphasized the significance of the Middle East in the company's global network. Despite the initial waves of missile and drone attacks from Tehran following the Iran war on February 28, the region's economy has shown remarkable resilience and long-term potential. The UAE, in particular, remains an attractive destination for international financial firms, offering opportunities to expand regional operations and collaborate with major sovereign wealth funds, large family offices, and institutional partners.

The capital city, Abu Dhabi, continues to attract ultra-wealthy individuals, who remain undeterred by the war disruption.

On the same day Temasek announced its plans, Pantheon, a global private markets firm based in London, opened its first office in Abu Dhabi. This expansion aims to capitalize on the growing demand for investment opportunities across the Gulf region. The UAE economy grew by 3% in the first quarter of 2026, despite the impact of the regional war, according to government data released in August.

Temasek's CEO, Chia Hwee, highlighted that having a physical presence in the Middle East will strengthen engagement with partners, enhance access to investment opportunities, and extend Temasek's influence to Central Asia and Africa.