Temasek Accelerates Middle East Expansion By Opening Abu Dhabi and Riyadh Headquarters

Singapore’s state‑owned investment company Temasek announced plans to establish new hubs in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, representing a decisive push to broaden its presence in the Middle East. The move reflects the region’s increasing appeal for capital, even as heightened tensions stemming from the Iran war introduce additional market uncertainty.

The $400 billion fund is positioning itself to capture long‑term opportunities generated by the Gulf’s swift economic transformation. Yet several marquee initiatives, especially those aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 programme, have faced delays or redesigns due to tighter balance sheets, weaker foreign‑investment inflows, and lingering impacts from the Iranian conflict.

“The pace and ambition of economic transformation across the region are remarkable, and its fundamental promise remains compelling. We see strong alignment between the area’s strategic priorities and Temasek’s own focus areas,” said Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara, Temasek’s chief executive in a CNBC press briefing.

The upcoming Riyadh and Abu Dhabi offices are targeted to open in the first half of 2027, serving as operational anchors for the state investor and its network. Local partners are poised to co‑locate within these hubs.

Not new to the region, Temasek’s Sevi­ora asset‑management arm secured an Abu Dhabi office in 2025 and entered a partnership with Mubadala Capital to explore co‑investment opportunities.

In May this year, Temasek joined forces with BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners, Abu Dhabi‑based L’IMAD, and the national oil company ADNOC to create a consortium aimed at targeting $30 billion in infrastructure projects across the Persian Gulf and Central Asia. The ongoing conflict in Iran has strained Gulf energy exports, pushing Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar toward alternative pipelines for crude and liquefied natural gas.

Temasek will also “actively engage with institutions” throughout Qatar as part of its broader Middle East strategy. Together, the two new offices raise the total number of Temasek locations to eleven, spread across nine countries—adding hubs in China, India, Belgium, the United States, Mexico and the United Kingdom.

Chia Song Hwee, Temasek’s Global Investments chief executive and Middle East & Africa chairman, will steer the regional campaign together with Ankit Khemka, managing director for the region.

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