Middle East Attracts New Investors

The Middle East is becoming an attractive investment target both for Saudis and worldwide investors. Last month more then 10 million Saudis bought stock as fighting raged on in Lebanon, according to a Washington Post article by Afshin Molavi.

The "new" Middle East is forming in the boardrooms of new businesses, in assertive private sectors demanding change, in booming equity capital markets, cash-rich banks, state-owned investment houses and individual investors with global outlooks.

Contrary to the past, when many investors saw the Middle East as a source of funds for investments elsewhere, the Carlyle Group now recognizes business opportunities there. Recently, as war went on in Lebanon, the group announced a $1.3 billion fund for investment in the region. Caryle is not alone and large investment banks such as Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers are increasing their presence in the region and Western private equity and hedge fund money is flowing. In the past, many investors saw the Middle East as a source of funds for investments elsewhere.

The staff of Money Management Executive ("MME") has prepared these capsule summaries based on reports published by the news sources to which they are attributed. Those news sources are not associated with MME, and have not prepared, sponsored, endorsed, or approved these summaries.