Standard Chartered, BlackRock Launch Asia Pacific Multi-Asset Fund for UAE Investors

Business

Standard Chartered, BlackRock Launch Asia Pacific Multi-Asset Fund for UAE Investors

Standard Chartered has partnered with BlackRock to launch the Signature Select APAC Allocation Plus Fund, a new Asia-focused multi-asset investment solution designed to provide investors in the UAE and other international markets with diversified exposure to the Asia Pacific region.

The latest offering marks the eighth sub-fund launched under Standard Chartered's Variable Capital Company (VCC) platform since its establishment in June 2024 and the bank's third fund launch in 2026.

The Signature Select APAC Allocation Plus Fund is designed as a one-stop investment solution, offering exposure across equities, fixed income, and liquid alternative assets. Managed using BlackRock's Multi-Asset Strategies & Solutions expertise, the portfolio will be dynamically allocated across Asia Pacific markets with the objective of delivering long-term capital appreciation while generating income through diversified investment opportunities.

The fund will initially be available to Accredited and Professional Investors across Standard Chartered's Priority, Priority Private, and Private Banking segments in the UAE, Hong Kong, Singapore, Jersey, Malaysia, Kenya, and Nigeria, with additional markets expected to follow.

According to the bank, the UAE continues to strengthen its position as a major global wealth hub, driven by increasing inflows of international investors, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals seeking diversified investment opportunities beyond traditional markets.

Ayesha Abbas, Managing Director and Head of Affluent and Wealth Solutions, Deposits and Mortgages, EMEA & UAE at Standard Chartered, said the Asia Pacific region continues to offer strong long-term growth potential supported by innovation, structural economic trends, and evolving consumer demand. She added that the new fund provides UAE investors with a professionally managed multi-asset solution designed to balance growth opportunities with disciplined portfolio construction and risk management.

Sumeet Bhambri, Global Head of Advisory and Managed Investments at Standard Chartered, said the collaboration with BlackRock strengthens the bank's VCC platform by delivering institutional-quality investment strategies that help clients build resilient portfolios while navigating increasingly complex market conditions.

Andrew Landman, Deputy Head of Asia-Pacific and Head of Asia Pacific Wealth at BlackRock, noted that Asia Pacific continues to present attractive opportunities for active investing due to its strong economic growth prospects and the relative value of several regional assets. He said the partnership aims to provide investors with diversified sources of return through disciplined portfolio management.

Launched in June 2024, Standard Chartered's VCC platform was established to combine the expertise of global fund managers with the bank's in-house investment specialists to create exclusive, professionally managed investment solutions tailored for its wealth management clients.