IFM Investors inks Govt deal in step forward for SE Asia strategy

Global asset manager, IFM Investors, has secured a major partnership with the Federal Government that will see a $175 million injection in IFM’s Asia-Pacific Debt Fund to fund new business opportunities in Southeast Asia and drive increased economic engagement in the region.

The deal, which was announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum in Kuala Lumpur, is said to support both the Government’s existing Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 as well as IFM’s own expansion into the region, providing a channel to fuel more Australian investment in Asia.

Alongside IFM’s announcement that it will also look to establish an office in Singapore, the manager confirmed it will target investments in key sectors including renewable energy, telecommunications, logistics, manufacturing, industrials and real assets via partnerships with Asian businesses presenting strong growth potential.

“This partnership reflects IFM Investors’ confidence in Asia’s long-term growth story and our commitment to supporting the region’s economic growth,” IFM Investors Co-Head APAC Diversified Credit, Hiran Wanigasekera, said.

“By working closely with the Australian Government, we aim to help deliver significant benefits to Southeast Asian economies while creating attractive opportunities for Australian institutional and superannuation capital that grows the retirement savings of Australian workers.”

The investment will be delivered through the Government’s $2 billion Southeast Asia Investment Financing Facility (SEAIFF), and overseen by Export Finance Australia (EFA).