Sept 13 (Reuters) – Alternative asset manager Sagard
Holdings said on Wednesday it plans to open its first office in
the Gulf region in Abu Dhabi, and it will be led by former Bank
of Montreal executive Firas Mallah.

Sagard, which is owned by Canada’s billionaire Desmarais
family, joins a growing list of investment firms that are moving
to the Middle East to tap the lucrative fast-developing oil-rich
market.

The company, which has $14.5 billion in assets under
management with 125 portfolio companies, said Mallah brings over
two decades of experience and Middle East fundraising expertise.

Sagard invests in venture capital, private equity and real
estate, among others.
(Reporting by Jaiveer Singh Shekhawat in Bengaluru; Writing by
Manya Saini; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta)