ChinaAMC, Lesha Bank launch $1B sharia-compliant China equity fund
What's the deal? China Asset Management (Hong Kong)Dealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → and Qatar's Lesha BankDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → have agreed to launch Qatar's first sharia-compliant China equity fund, according to the South China Morning Post. The Cayman Islands-domiciled fund could reach $1 billion.
What's the endgame? The fund would give qualified high-net-worth investors across the Gulf Cooperation Council direct exposure to mainland-listed and Hong Kong equities. The GCC comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Why now? Executives from both firms pointed to mainland China's advancing artificial intelligence capabilities and biotech strength as the leading draws for Middle East investors. They framed the sectors as a way to diversify away from a crowded US market.
Why China for Gulf money? The deal reflects broader efforts by Chinese financial institutions to attract Middle East capital as institutional investors and wealthy families seek safe havens amid geopolitical turmoil. ChinaAMCDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → said the partnership builds on recent outreach, including a visit to the Middle East last month by Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po.
The signal: A sharia-compliant vehicle tailored to Gulf capital underscores Hong Kong's push to position itself as a financial connector between mainland China and Gulf markets. As Chinese institutions court Middle East money, products structured for Islamic finance rules are becoming a key bridge.
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Image credit: Ray Devlin
