Welcome to the August edition of Middle East Investment Nabd, a newsletter from Institutional Investor.
As a reminder to our non-Arabic speakers, nabd means "pulse." This month, that pulse is deeper than it looks.
This month's edition covers:
- Gulf Credit Is More Liquid Than Its Reputation — Laurie McAughtry examines why the secondary market has transformed and why perceptions have not caught up
- Private Credit Outlook Survey 2026 — key findings from Institutional Investor's global survey of 146 institutional allocators
- Upcoming Regional Events — Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, and the Middle East Private Credit Summit
- MENA Key Moves — new offices and senior hires across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait
Some of the most important shifts in markets arrive quietly. They appear in the quality of institutions entering a region, the sophistication of investor conversations, and the resilience markets display under pressure. That is increasingly the story of the Gulf.
This month, we examine two developments that deserve more attention than they typically receive. The first is that Gulf fixed income markets have quietly transformed, and that perceptions have simply not kept pace with reality. The second is that the private credit asset class globally is undergoing a healthy recalibration, one that experienced allocators increasingly view as an opportunity rather than a warning sign.
Alongside these insights, we are pleased to share our regional events calendar reflecting the depth of our commitment to the Middle East investment community. And, as ever, our Key Moves section confirms what the numbers already suggest: the Gulf continues to attract serious capital and serious people.
Upcoming Regional Events
Attendance is complimentary for asset owners and strictly by invitation only. To register or request an invitation, simply reply to this email and a member of the team will be in touch.
Institutional Investor Abu Dhabi Summit
7 October 2026 | Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi
More than 70 senior investment decision-makers are already confirmed, including representatives from Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Mubadala, Emirates Investment Authority, Abu Dhabi Pension Fund, and the Arab Monetary Fund.
Themes include all-weather portfolio construction, private markets, active management, and strategic sectors including AI, energy infrastructure, and defense.
Institutional Investor Kuwait Annual Investment Summit
17 November 2026 | Kuwait Investment Authority Headquarters, Kuwait City
We are pleased to announce that this year's summit will be hosted at the Kuwait Investment Authority Headquarters under the theme: Long-Term Capital in a World Being Remade
More than 120 senior investment decision-makers are already confirmed, including representatives from Kuwait Investment Authority, Public Institution for Social Security, Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, NBK Wealth, Gulf Investment Corporation, and Markaz.
Themes include macro and portfolio construction, cross-asset valuations, alpha generation across public and private markets, and the future of total portfolio thinking for long-horizon institutional investors.
The event is co-sponsored by Kuwait Investment Authority, Wafra International and supported by CFA Society Kuwait.
