Middle East an opportunity for advisers

Having conducted a survey of 250 individual investors in the United Arab Emirates in collaboration with CoreData, Natixis Global Asset Management found a shifting investment appetite in the country, indicating potential opportunities for financial advice professionals.

The majority of respondents (56 per cent) said that stability was no longer their core investment goal and that they were willing to increase the level of risk in their portfolio.

However, 66 per cent of respondents said they had never consulted a professional financial adviser.

"These findings demonstrate a clear change of direction for regional investors, who are now willing to be more adventurous than ever in their investment decisions," said Moad Touhami, Head of Distribution, NGAM Dubai.

"This is an opportunity for the region's financial advisors to help nurture the investment potential investors can achieve, while at the same time educate to have a clear strategy in place."

Earlier this year, Dubai-based adviser Craig Holding told ifa there was considerable demand for financial planners with knowledge of the Australian superannuation system in the UAE.