IFM targets growth opportunities with new global office

IFM Investors has opened its first office in Singapore to capture growth opportunities in a region "under allocated" by institutional investors.

The organisation said the Singaporean presence reinforces its long-term commitment to the region and positions it for sound investment opportunities, while continuing to "win institutional capital across target markets throughout Asia."

The new office will also support the successful expansion of IFM's private market capabilities across Asia, especially in diversified credit, through local origination and execution capabilities, IFM said.

The opening follows IFM's partnership with the Australian government, which saw a $175 million commitment by Export Finance Australia to support businesses with strong growth potential in Southeast Asia across industrials, manufacturing, services, renewable energy, telecommunications and real assets.

The investment was made under the Southeast Asia Investment Financing Facility (SEAIFF).

Drawing on its diversified credit and infrastructure expertise, IFM said it is well positioned to support businesses across the region and originate private market deals, while Asia continues to be viewed as an "increasingly important growth market" for institutional capital, supported by underpenetrated private markets, rising demand for flexible finance solutions, and growing investor interest for diversification.

Commenting, IFM executive director and co-head of APAC diversified credit Hiran Wanigasekera said the opening of the new office reflects the organisation's "strong conviction" in the region for longer-term investments, especially in alternative assets.

"We also believe Asia Pacific private credit is at an inflection point, with the market growing nearly fourfold from a low base over the past 15 years," Wanigasekera said.

"It is this strong projected growth which makes it an increasingly compelling asset class that we believe can bring key structural benefits to global portfolios during this increasingly volatile time in markets."