From Reuters: Sovereign wealth funds — national vehicles created to grow state wealth for the future — have long experience investing in exotic and lesser-known lands. To these funds, many of which originate in what the West calls the “frontier” region, it’s a local market.
This year alone, countries including China, Singapore, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Abu Dhabi have invested easily more than $1 billion in frontier markets, in such projects as mines in Mongolia and companies in Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America……………………………………….Full Article: Source

From Bernama: The global economic recovery has spurred interest in sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) but poor sovereign identity may limit investment opportunities, consultancy firms said. The SWF is a state-owned investment fund composed of financial assets such as stocks, bonds, real estate, or other financial instruments funded by foreign exchange assets.
According to Hill & Knowlton and Penn Schoen Beland, two eminent global research and communications strategy consultants, concerns over transparency and country reputation could impact the SWF image and investment potential……………………………………….Full Article: Source

From Nreionline.com: Investors around the world are showing renewed interest in sovereign wealth funds, state funds that invest public money in a range of assets, according to a new survey from Hill & Knowlton and Penn Schoen Berland, both research and communications firms.
However, U.S. investors are more skeptical of the sovereign wealth funds (SWF) than other global investors, the survey concludes. Also, concerns about the funds’ financial transparency could hinder their growth as the world recovers from a deep economic crisis……………………………………….Full Article: Source

From Business-standard.com: Despite a large pool of funds, India views sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) of many African countries like Nigeria, Libya, Botswana and Algeria with caution, says a survey.
The Sovereign Brands Survey 2010 carried by Hill & Knowlton and Penn Schoen Berland found, while sentiment towards SWFs had generally improved, some concerns around SWFs making investments into home countries remained……………………………………….Full Article: Source

From Asianage.com: Khazanah, the bidder for Parkway, is an emerging category of investors known as sovereign wealth funds. A sovereign wealth fund is a state owned investment fund with a mandate to invest in stocks, commodities and other assets.
SWFs have become a major source of capital around the world in the past few years, with an estimated $3,400 billion under their control, according to SWF Institute, a body which keeps tabs on these funds……………………………………….Full Article: Source

From Business-standard.com: The battle for control of Parkway Holdings, Asia’s largest hospital chain, is set to be fought in Singapore. Khazanah, the Malaysian government-owned investment fund, which is the second largest shareholder in Parkway through Integrated Healthcare Holdings, has fired the first salvo by offering S$1.18 billion (US $710 million or over Rs 3,900 crore) for a majority stake in the company that is currently controlled by the Singh-family promoted Fortis Healthcare.
The Singh brothers — Malvinder and Shivinder — refused to comment but are expected to launch a counter bid to retain their control……………………………………….Full Article: Source

From IPE: This week, Malaysia’s sovereign fund Khazanah Nasional committed to another investment that is ostensibly part of the country’s economic remodelling programme. The fund will invest in a 50/50 joint venture with Singapore sovereign fund Temasek Holdings, to develop a “wellness township” in Iskandar, an ambitious new precinct in Malaysia’s southern-most state.
To chart a new course towards higher per-capita income, sustainable prosperity and growth that benefits a larger proportion of the population, Malaysia has marshaled the resources of five of the country’s institutional investors……………………………………….Full Article: Source

From WSJ: Government of Singapore Investment Corp.’s real-estate unit, GIC Real Estate, is looking to raise a minimum US$1 billion from an initial public offering in Singapore of some of its overseas assets this year, a person familiar with the situation said.
“They are targeting at least US$1 billion, and it could be more. But it will depend on the market conditions at the time. If it happens, it will be later this year,” the person said……………………………………….Full Article: Source

From Huliq.com: The Chinese Government has diversified its foreign exchange reserves with the help of China Investment Corporation (CIC) and has recently divested portions of its European Government Bonds into other reserve currencies and focuses on increasing its direct investments in US Companies.
Both Xinhua, the Government controlled Chinese newspaper, and SAFE, China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange, have denied the rumors……………………………………….Full Article: Source

From Thepeninsulaqatar.com: Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA), the country’s sovereign wealth fund, said yesterday it did not plan to reduce its exposure to euro zone investments, denying a Kuwaiti newspaper report.
“KIA denies local newspaper reports that there is a consideration by (KIA) to reduce its investments and presence in European countries … as a reaction to crises that some European countries are facing,” KIA said……………………………………….Full Article: Source

From Business24-7.ae: A number of big-ticket transactions including the $2.4 billion (Dh8.8bn) sell-off in Volkswagen preferential shares by Qatar Holding (an arm of Qatar Investment Authority) pushed the Gulf country among the top three sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) direct investment recipients in terms of transaction values in 2009, according to the latest SWF Transaction Database (SWFTD).
Globally, SWF direct investments grew by a third in 2009, with investments totalling $92.8bn compared with $69.6bn worth of investments in 2008, according to SWFTD……………………………………….Full Article: Source

From Guide2.co.nz: Selling Kiwibank to the New Zealand Superannuation Fund would not protect it from ending up in foreign hands, Green Party co-leader Russel Norman says.
Fund head Adrian Orr told The New Zealand Herald yesterday that it was on the acquisition trail for stakes in prime New Zealand assets like rural land, state-owned enterprises, smaller high-growth companies and iwi businesses……………………………………….Full Article: Source