EQT Launches Middle East Platform and Opens Abu Dhabi Office - PR Newswire APAC

EQT, the global private markets firm with USD 389 billion in assets under management, has launched a dedicated Middle East platform and opened an office in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). The move establishes an on-the-ground presence in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and signals an expansion of EQT's integrated Private Equity and Infrastructure investing in the region. Jimmy Mahtani has been named Chairman of GCC while Smiyet Belrhiti will lead the Abu Dhabi office as Head of Middle East and Senior Executive Officer.

“We are now deepening our commitment to the GCC by putting dedicated people and resources on the ground…” — Jean Eric Salata

Jean Eric Salata, Chair of EQT Group, emphasised the firm’s long-standing ties in the region and the strategic rationale for locating the new office in ADGM: “Abu Dhabi is a place where EQT has had the privilege of developing close ties over the past three decades with senior leaders at the largest regional investors. That history is an important part of why this next step matters. We are now deepening our commitment to the GCC by putting dedicated people and resources on the ground, operating as One EQT and bringing together those relationships and our investment experience in the region with the breadth of our global capabilities.”

Per Franzén, CEO and Managing Partner of EQT, underlined the growth opportunity across the GCC and the leadership decision: “The launch of EQT's Middle East platform reflects our conviction in the scale and momentum of opportunity across the GCC. Jimmy Mahtani, who has led our India and Southeast Asia business for over two decades and is a member of our Asia Investment Committee, is exactly the kind of senior leadership this platform needs from the outset.”

Smiyet Belrhiti added a regional perspective on dealflow and sector focus: “Across the Middle East, we are seeing a growing pool of high-quality companies in sectors central to EQT's long-term strategies. EQT's presence here reflects our conviction in the region's potential to produce globally significant companies over the next decade. We are committed to being a long-term partner in that journey, bringing our global platform, operational expertise and 'future proofing' capabilities to support businesses across the region.”

Context and details

• The Abu Dhabi office is EQT’s first location within a planned regional platform intended to reflect distinct priorities across GCC markets.
• ADGM was chosen for its “globally connected financial ecosystem, strong regulatory framework and institutional environment,” positioning Abu Dhabi as a strategic base for investor, company and partner engagement across the GCC.
• EQT said the platform will deepen support for existing portfolio companies with long-standing regional presence, including Nord Anglia Education, Virtusa, Banking Circle, Nothing and SAUR, and assist other portfolio companies seeking expansion into the region.
• Jimmy Mahtani retains his existing role as Chairman of India and Southeast Asia for EQT Private Capital while taking the Chairman of GCC role; Smiyet Belrhiti brings over two decades of private equity, corporate development and investment experience in the GCC and MENA.
• The Middle East platform will draw on EQT’s broader global capabilities—including Private Equity, Infrastructure, Real Estate and Secondaries—and will include local teams across investment, capital raising and business operations.
• With Abu Dhabi added, EQT now has offices in more than 25 countries that together account for more than 80% of global GDP.

Outlook

EQT frames the launch as a long-term commitment to the GCC’s structural economic transformation, targeting sectors such as healthcare and life sciences, education, digital and technology, industrials, business services, infrastructure and energy transition. Leadership under Jimmy Mahtani and Smiyet Belrhiti, together with ADGM’s institutional environment, is positioned to accelerate capital deployment and support company growth in the region as EQT seeks new investments aligned with national development agendas and its thematic, company-building approach.