In an effort to better service existing and new investors in the Middle East and North Africa, Los Angeles-based CB Richard Ellis Investors has opened a regional office in the Dubai International Financial Centre.

“There is significant demand from sophisticated, regional institutional and professional investors for stabilized income-producing assets. And many are looking to migrate to best-in-class managers who can restructure their existing real estate portfolios,” said Fadi Al Khatib, managing director for CB Richard Ellis Investors, who heads up the new office in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“Given the re-pricing of global real estate assets over the past two years and the international investment opportunities available to well-capitalized investors, we believe institutions in the region will aggressively grow their real estate portfolio allocations over the next few years,” added Al Khatib.

The Dubai International Financial Centre was conceived by the government of Dubai for the benefit of the UAE and the wider region. Its goal is to create a regional capital market, offering investors and issuers of capital world-class regulations and standards. It also aspires to develop the same stature as New York, London, or Hong Kong. Al Khatib said the region represents a tremendous opportunity for the firm, noting that CB Richard Ellis Investors already has existing mandates with two major regional sovereign wealth funds and is now in active discussions with several key institutional investors and financial institutions.

CB Richard Ellis Investors was established in the U.S. in 1972 and currently manages (US)$33.7 billion in assets globally for 190 institutional clients through 20 offices worldwide.  The firm’s investment management capabilities include U.S., European, and Asian direct real estate separate accounts and commingled funds, a U.S. real estate finance investment program, and global real estate securities.