The University of British Columbia Endowment Plan, run by UBC IMANT, is poised to make its first investment into emerging markets, having raised its target emerging markets allocation to 10% earlier this year.

National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) is planning to launch a new suite of dedicated fixed income products, Mena FM has learned.

Mena’s primary bonds market is expected to surpass last year’s mark of $40bn in 2011, according to a senior executive at Deutsche Bank.

Alternative asset manager Gulf Capital will launch a new $250-$300m credit fund, pending regulatory approval.

Laval University’s emerging markets allocation is currently under discussion, and several pension funds are also considering upping their GEMs allocations, Mena FM has learned.