Singapore's Temasek to expand Middle East presence, open Abu Dhabi, Riyadh offices

Singapore's Temasek to open Abu Dhabi and Riyadh offices by H1 2027

Singapore state investor Temasek will expand its Middle East footprint by opening offices in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh in the first half of 2027, its most significant regional move to date. The US$400 billion investor said the two hubs will serve as regional bases for Temasek and its network, with several portfolio companies planning to co‑locate there as part of a broader push into Gulf markets.

"The pace and ambition of economic transformation across the region are remarkable, and its long‑term fundamentals remain highly attractive. We see strong alignment between the region's priorities and Temasek's own areas of focus," said Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara, Temasek's CEO, in a press release.

Temasek's announcement follows earlier steps into the region by affiliates and partners. In 2025, Temasek's US$75.6 billion asset management arm, Seviora, opened an Abu Dhabi office and signed a partnership with Mubadala Capital to pursue co‑investment opportunities. More recently, Temasek teamed up with BlackRock's Global Infrastructure Partners, Abu Dhabi's L'IMAD and state‑owned ADNOC to target US$30 billion in infrastructure deals across the Persian Gulf and Central Asia.

• Planned opening: Abu Dhabi and Riyadh offices, first half of 2027.
• Parent size: Temasek manages approximately US$400 billion in assets.
• Prior regional moves: Seviora's 2025 Abu Dhabi office and Mubadala Capital partnership; 2024/2025 partnership to target US$30 billion in Gulf/Central Asian infrastructure with BlackRock's GIP, L'IMAD and ADNOC.
• Leadership: Chia Song Hwee, Temasek's Global Investments CEO and Middle East & Africa Chairman, will oversee the regional push; Ankit Khemka is the managing director for the region.
• Geographic footprint: The new offices will join 13 other Temasek locations across nine countries and add to existing hubs in markets including China, India, Belgium, the U.S., Mexico and the U.K.

The expansion comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions and economic recalibration in the Gulf. The war involving Iran has strained regional energy infrastructure and export routes, prompting Gulf producers such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar to seek alternate ways to move crude and liquefied natural gas. At the same time, some flagship projects tied to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 have experienced delays or revisions driven by tighter finances and weaker foreign investment flows.

Despite these headwinds, Temasek framed the move as a long‑term bet on the Gulf's economic transformation and alignment with its investment priorities. The firm said it will also "actively engage with institutions" in Qatar as part of its regional strategy. Temasek plans for its Riyadh and Abu Dhabi hubs to function not only as operational bases but also as co‑investment platforms where portfolio companies and partners can collaborate more closely.

Looking ahead, Temasek's establishment of formal offices in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh signals a deeper commitment to the Gulf's markets. With senior figures such as Chia Song Hwee and Ankit Khemka leading the effort, and with ties already in place via Seviora and large infrastructure partnerships, the investor is positioning itself to pursue long‑term opportunities even as short‑term geopolitical and financial risks persist.