Temasek plans to open offices in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh in the first half of 2027, extending the Singaporean state-owned investor’s presence in the Middle East. The hubs will support Temasek and its network, with some portfolio companies expected to co-locate. The move comes as the Gulf attracts investment despite economic pressure linked to the Iran war and delays or revisions to major projects.
Two offices will anchor the regional expansion
The planned locations place Temasek in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital. The offices are intended to serve as regional hubs rather than standalone outposts: the company says they will support its work and its wider network across the region.
Some Temasek portfolio companies operating in the region also plan to share the hubs. That arrangement could bring the investor and its existing business relationships into closer proximity, while giving companies in its portfolio a local base. The release does not identify which companies will co-locate or specify how many staff the offices will have.
Gulf opportunities meet project pressures
Temasek, an investor with $400 billion, is positioning for long-term opportunities tied to the Gulf’s economic transformation. Its chief executive, Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara, said in a press release shared with CNBC that the region’s priorities align with Temasek’s areas of focus and that its long-term fundamentals remain attractive.
The outlook is not without strain. Some high-profile projects, particularly those associated with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 programme, have experienced delays or revisions amid tighter financing, weaker foreign investment flows and the economic effects of the Iran war. The new offices therefore signal a long-term commitment, not proof that those pressures have eased.
Temasek already has regional ties
The planned offices build on existing activity. In 2025, Seviora, Temasek’s asset management arm with $75.6 billion, opened an Abu Dhabi office and signed a partnership with Mubadala Capital to pursue co-investment opportunities. The new plan would add a broader Temasek presence in Abu Dhabi and a base in Riyadh.
Temasek has also participated in a regional infrastructure initiative. In May, it joined BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners, Abu Dhabi’s L’IMAD and state-owned oil company ADNOC to target $30 billion in infrastructure deals across the Persian Gulf and Central Asia. That target shows the scale of the opportunity being pursued, while the war’s effects on energy infrastructure have added uncertainty for Gulf exporters.
Energy disruption shapes the investment backdrop
The source material says the Iran war has strained Gulf energy infrastructure and exports from key producers. Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar have been seeking alternative ways to export crude oil and liquefied natural gas. The disruption matters to investors because energy links the region’s infrastructure plans with its export revenues and investment climate.
Temasek also intends to engage actively with institutions in Qatar, according to its press release. The company has not announced a Qatar office, so the stated approach there is institutional engagement rather than a third new hub. This distinction makes Abu Dhabi and Riyadh the concrete expansion locations, with Qatar part of a wider regional network.
Regional leadership and global network
Chia Song Hwee, Temasek’s Global Investments CEO and Middle East & Africa Chairman, will oversee the regional push alongside Ankit Khemka, managing director for the region. Their responsibilities place the expansion within Temasek’s existing investment leadership; the announcement does not give further details on staffing or the offices’ operating budgets.
The two planned hubs will join Temasek’s 13 other locations across nine countries, taking its network to 15 locations and 11 countries once the Middle East expansion is included. Its locations span markets including China, India, Belgium, the United States, Mexico and the United Kingdom. The company is adding regional reach while maintaining a global operating footprint.
Takeaway: Temasek’s Abu Dhabi and Riyadh offices, expected in the first half of 2027, deepen its Gulf presence while regional investment opportunities face real economic and energy-related pressures.
