Baring Asset Management, the international investment firm, is strengthening its presence in the Middle East through a tie-up with one of the UAE's leading financial institutions First Gulf Bank.

With this deal, two of US group's top performing funds will be made available to investors through the FGB’s Wealth Management Platform, “First Wealth”.

Speaking at an investment conference organised by First Gulf Bank in the UAE, Alan Wilde, the head of Fixed Income and Currency at Baring, said: We are delighted to partner with one of the region’s fastest growing regional banks and help contribute to the growth and diversity of the local investment markets. Through this tie-up, customers of ‘First Wealth’ will gain access to Baring Asset Management’s specialist fixed-income and emerging market investment capabilities.”

Nisarg Trivedi, the head of UAE sales and business development at Baring Asset Management, said: “With UAE investors slowly regaining confidence in the markets and looking for greater returns on their investments, the requirement has never been greater for well balanced, diversified portfolios."

"Through ‘First Wealth’, First Gulf Bank customers will be provided with the opportunity to create a portfolio to not only meet their risk profile but also their future financial goals," he stated.

Baring Asset Management is part of the MassMutual Financial Group, a global, diversified financial services organization. Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) is one of the largest life insurance businesses in the US.

The company has been catering to the needs of Middle Eastern investors since 2010, when it opened its first office in the Dubai International Financial Centrem, said Wilde.

“At Baring Asset Management we offer a diverse array of market leading portfolio solutions, providing customers with dynamic global investment opportunities. We believe there will be strong demand for our investment solutions from the UAE and are confident that our partnership with First Gulf Bank will be a story of success,” he added.-TradeArabia News Service