Queensland government-owned investment firm Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) has expanded its international presence with a new Singapore office established to support a greater focus on Asian-based institutional investors.

QIC said in a recent statement that the space, located in the Marina Bay Financial Centre, will serve as a hub to strengthen local partnerships and explore new capital opportunities in the region.

QIC Chief Executive Officer Kylie Rampa said the opening heralded a new chapter in QIC’s globalization and client diversification story.

According to her, QIC’s international presence to date has been centered around the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) markets in which they invest and manage assets, with offices already in North America, the United Kingdom and Europe.

“Establishing a presence in Singapore is a logical next step in QIC’s evolution, affording us the opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to like-minded capital partners across the Asian and Middle East regions,

“These capital partners are sophisticated and active in the Australian private market, where our capabilities in Infrastructure, Private Debt, Real Estate and Natural Capital resonate strongly,” she said.

She also said QIC is well-positioned to facilitate opportunities for investment, particularly those that contribute to the energy transition and nature-based solutions.

“The combination of QIC’s track record and government-owned heritage makes us well-placed as a trusted and responsible investment partner,” she added.

Meanwhile, QIC Executive Director of Client Solutions and Capital Ravi Sriskandarajah said a local distribution team will deepen existing relationships with clients in region.

He also said this team brings a wealth of local knowledge, experience and language skills, allowing them to work more productively to meet their clients’ objectives while exploring new capital opportunities.

“Ryan Choi and Ayako Mitsui are well respected in Korea and Japan respectively, and their critical insights and strong relationships will be an asset to our organization,

“They will work alongside QIC’s longstanding Head of Greater China Vicky Wei, who will continue to lead various relationships when she relocates to Singapore in the new year,” he added.

According to the statement, Choi and Mitsui are also joined in Singapore by Shiree Hocking, a 13-year QIC veteran, who brings a strategic focus on relationships and new business opportunities in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

QIC is an investment manager and adviser providing risk adjusted returns for the clients it serves.

With more than AUD 100 billion ($65.61 billion) in funds under management, the fund has grown into a leading specialist manager in infrastructure, real estate, private debt, private capital, natural capital and liquid assets for about 125 institutional investors internationally.

Its presence spans four continents with assets across global markets and offices in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, London, San Francisco, New York and Singapore.

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