Luc Metivier and Olivier Honsberger

KUWAIT: TAKAUD, the specialist savings, investments and pensions provider for the MENA region and MIRABAUD (Middle East) Ltd Associated with Mirabaud & Cie SA founded in 1819, one of the oldest and most distinguished Swiss private banks, today announce the signing of a business partnership that will see both partners join forces to provide TAKAUD's affluent clients in the GCC markets with a richer and appealing wealth management offering.

The partnership enhances TAKAUD's investment platform with the addition of Mirabaud fund range, including some of the top performing flag-ship funds. Furthermore, the two institutions will work closely to develop new investment solutions in the area of wealth management and corporate retirement services to better serve TAKAUD's clients throughout the region.

Following the signing of the partnership agreement, TAKAUD has received a delegation from Mirabaud for a workshop to introduce the Mirabaud's approach to wealth management and advisory offering the investment solutions universe with the attendance of seasoned fund managers, and discussed areas where a differentiated added value can be offered to TAKAUD's clients in various segments.

Mirabaud is an international banking and financial group that provides a clientele of private, institutional and corporate investors with its primary vocation: Wealth Management taking a global, independent and customized view, Asset Management services with an active investment approach driven by strong convictions, along with the Brokerage and Corporate Finance arm acting as financial intermediary and independent adviser for corporations. Established in Geneva in 1819, the Group has offices in Switzerland (Geneva, Zurich and Basel), and Europe (London, Luxembourg, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Seville), as well as Montreal, Hong Kong and Dubai covering three continents.

TAKAUD, one of more than 60 diversified businesses owned by the KIPCO Group including leading investment and retail banks, asset management companies, insurance companies and other media and manufacturing entities, is focused on providing clients with a best-in-class offering, which fuses industry leading financial planning practices from developed markets with regional cultural knowledge and investment expertise.

TAKAUD's innovative advisory platform builds on TAKAUD's respected regional market presence as a leading savings and pensions advisor, positioning TAKAUD as the 'provider of choice' of wealth management for executives, businessmen, SME owners, and affluent clients who are currently underserved by traditional banking services.

Luc Metivier, TAKAUD's Chief Executive Officer commented: "Mirabaud is a first class international private bank with a long history. The newly signed partnership with their fully owned subsidiary in Dubai Mirabaud (Middle East) Ltd signifies TAKAUD's great momentum and potential as the regional 'go-to advisor' for savings, pensions and wealth management solutions".

Olivier Honsberger, Mirabaud's Dubai Chief Executive Officer, said "The Middle East's wealth management industry is entering a period of rapid development, as people increasingly seek better investment solutions and personalized banking services. To meet the demand of TAKAUD's regional clients for diversified wealth management solutions, we will be placing the entire range of Mirabaud funds on TAKAUD's platform supported by our investment philosophy, thus significantly expanding the universe of investment options available to their clientele, in terms of asset classes, currencies, sectors and geographies".