Russell Investments today celebrated 35 years of helping clients in the Middle East since George Russell pioneered Investment strategy advice in the region. Today, Russell has expanded its array of services and clients, and has established close partnerships with Rayan Asset Management in Dubai, Jadwa Investment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and, most recently, with Tadawul, the Saudi Stock Exchange. With its partners, Russell aims to create a set of new regional funds totaling US$5bn – US$10bn AuM (assets under management) over the next five years, to help improve international recognition, liquidity and to develop interest across the world in investing in regional funds. Also over the next five years, Russell expects to add US$20bn of assets under management or under advisement by Russell in the region through its consultancy and fiduciary management services.
Also at the event, Russell demonstrated its extensive market knowledge by releasing its Global Market Outlook for 2011.
Russell Investments is a global leader in investment management with US$155 billion assets under management (as of 12/31/10) and over US$2 trillion in assets under advisement globally. In the EMEA region, Russell already has US$38 billion assets under management (as of 12/31/10).
Speaking at the event on Monday, Pascal Duval, Executive Managing Director of Russell Investments for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), who has special responsibility for Russell in the Middle East said: “This region is home to some of the world’s most sophisticated investors. It has also come a long way in the last decade in establishing itself as a hub for offering attractive investment opportunities and offering professional investment management services. After 3 difficult years for the Global and regional economy, we believe the timing is right to increase further our focus in the Middle East where Russell started advising clients 35 years ago. Russell offers today world class solutions in diversified investment strategies, choice of managers and ways to manage risk and return. Through our partnerships with Rayan Asset Management, Jadwa Investment and Tadawul we are making them broader”.
Farid Bedjaoui, Founder, Owner and President of Rayan Asset Management, Russell’s long-standing partner in the region, said: “We have built a strong partnership based on trust with Russell. They provide us and our clients with unique, innovative investment opportunities not available elsewhere. Our track record demonstrates the attractiveness of Russell’s investment solutions including its multi-manager suite of products. Our clients have been able to take advantage of Russell’s world class expertise to improve the quality of their investments.”
Russell provided two examples of it’s investment knowledge - a first sight of it’s regular comment on the performance of the five indexes representing the Gulf Cooperation Council countries provided by Russell Indexes; and the firm’s annual Global Market Outlook for 2011, provided by its leading investment strategists. The following information will be available every month:
Russell GCC index market comment
Russell Market Outlooks
Russell Shariah fund updates
Russell MENA Index updates
