Gulf Capital targets Middle East's 'new oil' in consumer boom

By Tom Arnold

DUBAI (Reuters) - Abu Dhabi-based Gulf Capital aims to invest $350 million over the next two years in areas such as consumer-led sectors and renewable energy, in a shift away from oil and gas and infrastructure.

"The new oil in this region is the consumer. We have the youngest, fastest-growing and wealthiest consumer society, so there are huge opportunities investing in fast-growing, consumer-led sectors," Karim El Solh told Reuters.

Earlier this month, the private equity firm bought a stake in Geidea, the leading provider of electronic payment solutions in Saudi Arabia, for a deal value exceeding 1 billion riyals ($267 million).

In addition to fintech, other sectors Gulf Capital is increasingly targeting include renewable energy, technology, consumer and business services and defensive sectors offering high growth rates, he said.

This contrasts with its investment focus in the years after its launch in 2006 in traditional, legacy sectors such as oil and gas, infrastructure and construction.

SAUDI GROWTH

Gulf Capital sees opportunities in Saudi Arabia, where the government is creating an entertainment industry, including cinemas and a resort far bigger than Disney World.

The kingdom is also privatisating other sectors and aims to produce 9.5 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2023.

El Solh said Gulf Capital aims to invest $350 million from its latest $750 million fund and expects 2018 to be one of its busiest years for deals. It also has some $150 million available from its latest $251 million private debt fund.

"In the current economic cycle, I believe that this is a good time to be investing at attractive valuations," he said.

Gulf Capital's optimism comes as Abraaj, the largest player in the Middle East private equity market, faces allegations it misused money from investors including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and International Finance Corp.

Like Abraaj, which denies any wrongdoing, Gulf Capital has grown and diversified its investor base outside the Gulf in recent years. Around 60 percent of its funds are now raised outside the region.

Gulf Capital is targeting four exits this year - via trade sales as well as the stock market - which could make 2018 the first year since its launch in 2006 in which it returns more money to investors than it deploys, El Solh said.

It is in the midst of selling its remaining 27 percent stake in Gulf Marine Services through block trades on the London Stock Exchange, and selling its stake in Destinations of the World, a travel company formed in Dubai in 1993.

($1 = 3.7502 riyals)

(Reporting by Tom Arnold; Editing by Alexander Smith)