Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex announced plans to build a relief centre in India while marking their third wedding anniversary. Reuters
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex announced plans to build a relief centre in India while marking their third wedding anniversary. Reuters
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex announced plans to build a relief centre in India while marking their third wedding anniversary. Reuters
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex announced plans to build a relief centre in India while marking their third wedding anniversary. Reuters

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announce opening of Covid-19 relief centre in India on third anniversary


Emma Day
  • English
  • Arabic

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex are celebrating their third wedding anniversary with a new philanthropic initiative.

The couple, who marked their anniversary on Wednesday, used the occasion to reveal plans to build an emergency relief centre in India, as the country battles an ongoing Covid-19 crisis.

Through their Archewell Foundation, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will create the community centre as part of their ongoing partnership with World Central Kitchen.

Located in Mumbai, the centre is designed to initially provide aid and support, such as free meals, to locals during the country’s devastating second wave of the coronavirus.

On Wednesday, India's Health Ministry reported a record 4,529 deaths in the past 24 hours, driving the country's confirmed fatalities to 283,248.

The new community centre is designed to "provide relief and resilience (as well as healing and strength) for the communities in which they're based", the Archewell Foundation's website said.

"During future crises, these centres can be quickly activated as emergency response kitchens – or vaccination sites – and through calmer times they can serve as food distribution hubs, schools, clinics, or community gathering spaces for families."

An opening date for the centre has not yet been given.

Prince Harry and Meghan's non-profit teamed up with the World Central Kitchen in 2020 to establish four community relief centres.

The Mumbai centre is the third currently announced under the partnership, with a facility already built in Dominica and another in progress in Puerto Rico.

The WCK provides meals to those in need, typically in the wake of natural disasters, and has been delivering food to front-line workers in the US in recent months.

The NGO, founded in 2010 by celebrity chef Jose Andres, has already been working in India as the country battles its Covid-19 wave. WCK teams are present in 10 cities across the country, according to the non-profit, delivering 20,000 meals daily to frontline hospital workers and quarantine centres.

Scroll through the gallery below to see a timeline of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship:

  • Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace on November 27, 2017 in London, England. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace on November 27, 2017 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit Nottingham for their first official public engagement together on December 1, 2017 in Nottingham, England. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit Nottingham for their first official public engagement together on December 1, 2017 in Nottingham, England. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch a performance by a Welsh choir during a visit to Cardiff Castle on January 18, 2018 in Cardiff, Wales. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch a performance by a Welsh choir during a visit to Cardiff Castle on January 18, 2018 in Cardiff, Wales. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet Pony Major Mark Wilkinson and regimental mascot Cruachan IV during a walkabout at Edinburgh Castle on February 13, 2018 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet Pony Major Mark Wilkinson and regimental mascot Cruachan IV during a walkabout at Edinburgh Castle on February 13, 2018 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William attend the first annual Royal Foundation Forum held at Aviva on February 28, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images
    Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William attend the first annual Royal Foundation Forum held at Aviva on February 28, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit the Eikon Centre on March 23, 2018 in Lisburn, Northern Ireland. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit the Eikon Centre on March 23, 2018 in Lisburn, Northern Ireland. Getty Images
  • Prince William, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend an Anzac Day service at Westminster Abbey on April 25, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images
    Prince William, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend an Anzac Day service at Westminster Abbey on April 25, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex leave St George's Chapel after their wedding at Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex leave St George's Chapel after their wedding at Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England. Getty Images
  • Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry leave Windsor Castle after their wedding to attend an evening reception at Frogmore House on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England. Getty Images
    Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry leave Windsor Castle after their wedding to attend an evening reception at Frogmore House on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the Prince of Wales's 70th Birthday Patronage Celebration at Buckingham Palace on May 22, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the Prince of Wales's 70th Birthday Patronage Celebration at Buckingham Palace on May 22, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive at The Royal Horseguards during the Trooping the Colour ceremony on June 9, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive at The Royal Horseguards during the Trooping the Colour ceremony on June 9, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge watch the RAF 100th anniversary flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on July 10, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge watch the RAF 100th anniversary flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on July 10, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit Trinity College during a royal visit to Ireland on July 11, 2018 in Dublin, Ireland. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit Trinity College during a royal visit to Ireland on July 11, 2018 in Dublin, Ireland. Getty Images
  • Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry meet the cast and crew of 'Hamilton' after a gala performance at Victoria Palace Theatre on August 29, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images
    Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry meet the cast and crew of 'Hamilton' after a gala performance at Victoria Palace Theatre on August 29, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, her mother Doria Ragland and Prince Harry arrive at an event to mark the launch of a cookbook with recipes from a group of women affected by the Grenfell Tower fire at Kensington Palace on September 20, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images
    Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, her mother Doria Ragland and Prince Harry arrive at an event to mark the launch of a cookbook with recipes from a group of women affected by the Grenfell Tower fire at Kensington Palace on September 20, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meet a koala during a visit to Taronga Zoo on October 16, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meet a koala during a visit to Taronga Zoo on October 16, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive at Dubbo Airport on October 17, 2018 in Dubbo, Australia. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive at Dubbo Airport on October 17, 2018 in Dubbo, Australia. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex talk to members of OneWave, an awareness group for mental health and well-being, at South Bondi Beach on October 19, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex talk to members of OneWave, an awareness group for mental health and well-being, at South Bondi Beach on October 19, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit the University of the South Pacific on October 24, 2018 in Suva, Fiji. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit the University of the South Pacific on October 24, 2018 in Suva, Fiji. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend a state dinner at the Royal Residence on October 25, 2018 in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend a state dinner at the Royal Residence on October 25, 2018 in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meet New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at Government House on October 28, 2018 in Wellington, New Zealand. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meet New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at Government House on October 28, 2018 in Wellington, New Zealand. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit Redwoods Tree Walk on October 31, 2018 in Rotorua, New Zealand. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit Redwoods Tree Walk on October 31, 2018 in Rotorua, New Zealand. Getty Images
  • Prince William, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend a service marking the centenary of the First World War armistice at Westminster Abbey on November 11, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images
    Prince William, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend a service marking the centenary of the First World War armistice at Westminster Abbey on November 11, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Prince Charles, Prince William, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry attend a Christmas Day service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on December 25, 2018 in King's Lynn, England. Getty Images
    Prince Charles, Prince William, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry attend a Christmas Day service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on December 25, 2018 in King's Lynn, England. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex officially open Number 7, a citizens' supermarket and community cafe, on January 14, 2019 in Birkenhead, England. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex officially open Number 7, a citizens' supermarket and community cafe, on January 14, 2019 in Birkenhead, England. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the Cirque du Soleil premiere of 'Totem' at Royal Albert Hall on January 16, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the Cirque du Soleil premiere of 'Totem' at Royal Albert Hall on January 16, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry watch students play football during a visit to Lycee Qualifiant Grand Atlas school on February 24, 2019 in Asni, Morocco. Getty Images
    Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry watch students play football during a visit to Lycee Qualifiant Grand Atlas school on February 24, 2019 in Asni, Morocco. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex with King Mohammed VI of Morocco on February 25, 2019 in Rabat, Morocco. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex with King Mohammed VI of Morocco on February 25, 2019 in Rabat, Morocco. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex speak on stage during WE Day UK at the SSE Arena on March 6, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex speak on stage during WE Day UK at the SSE Arena on March 6, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex pose with their newborn son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor in St George's Hall at Windsor Castle on May 8, 2019 in Windsor, England. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex pose with their newborn son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor in St George's Hall at Windsor Castle on May 8, 2019 in Windsor, England. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex pose for a photo with the New York Yankees at London Stadium on June 29, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex pose for a photo with the New York Yankees at London Stadium on June 29, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry chats with Disney chief executive Robert Iger as Meghan, Duchess of Sussex embraces Beyonce Knowles-Carter at the premiere of 'The Lion King' at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on July 14, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images
    Prince Harry chats with Disney chief executive Robert Iger as Meghan, Duchess of Sussex embraces Beyonce Knowles-Carter at the premiere of 'The Lion King' at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on July 14, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry visit District 6 Museum on September 23, 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa. Getty Images
    Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry visit District 6 Museum on September 23, 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Archie Mountbatten-Windsor meet Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his daughter Thandeka Tutu-Gxashe during their royal tour of South Africa on September 25, 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa. Getty Images
    Prince Harry, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Archie Mountbatten-Windsor meet Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his daughter Thandeka Tutu-Gxashe during their royal tour of South Africa on September 25, 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa. Getty Images
  • Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry attend a roundtable discussion on gender equality with The Queens Commonwealth Trust and One Young World at Windsor Castle on October 25, 2019 in Windsor, England. Getty Images
    Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry attend a roundtable discussion on gender equality with The Queens Commonwealth Trust and One Young World at Windsor Castle on October 25, 2019 in Windsor, England. Getty Images
  • Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry attend the 91st Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey on November 7, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images
    Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry attend the 91st Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey on November 7, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit Canada House on January 7, 2020 in London, England. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit Canada House on January 7, 2020 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Royal Albert Hall on March 7, 2020 in London, England. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Royal Albert Hall on March 7, 2020 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive to attend the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey on March 9, 2020 in London, England. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive to attend the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey on March 9, 2020 in London, England. Getty Images
88 Video's most popular rentals

Avengers 3: Infinity War: an American superhero film released in 2018 and based on the Marvel Comics story.  

Sholay: a 1975 Indian action-adventure film. It follows the adventures of two criminals hired by police to catch a vagabond. The film was panned on release but is now considered a classic.

Lucifer: is a 2019 Malayalam-language action film. It dives into the gritty world of Kerala’s politics and has become one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time.

Profile Idealz

Company: Idealz

Founded: January 2018

Based: Dubai

Sector: E-commerce

Size: (employees): 22

Investors: Co-founders and Venture Partners (9 per cent)

'The worst thing you can eat'

Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.

Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines: 

Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.

Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.

Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.

Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.

Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

'Lost in Space'

Creators: Matt Sazama, Burk Sharpless, Irwin Allen

Stars: Molly Parker, Toby Stephens, Maxwell Jenkins

Rating: 4/5

BRAZIL%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3EGoalkeepers%3A%20Alisson%2C%20Ederson%2C%20Weverton%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EDefenders%3A%20Dani%20Alves%2C%20Marquinhos%2C%20Thiago%20Silva%2C%20Eder%20Militao%20%2C%20Danilo%2C%20Alex%20Sandro%2C%20Alex%20Telles%2C%20Bremer.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EMidfielders%3A%20Casemiro%2C%20Fred%2C%20Fabinho%2C%20Bruno%20Guimaraes%2C%20Lucas%20Paqueta%2C%20Everton%20Ribeiro.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EForwards%3A%20Neymar%2C%20Vinicius%20Junior%2C%20Richarlison%2C%20Raphinha%2C%20Antony%2C%20Gabriel%20Jesus%2C%20Gabriel%20Martinelli%2C%20Pedro%2C%20Rodrygo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
FIGHT%20CARD
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFeatherweight%204%20rounds%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EYousuf%20Ali%20(2-0-0)%20(win-loss-draw)%20v%20Alex%20Semugenyi%20(0-1-0)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWelterweight%206%20rounds%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EBenyamin%20Moradzadeh%20(0-0-0)%20v%20Rohit%20Chaudhary%20(4-0-2)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EHeavyweight%204%20rounds%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EYoussef%20Karrar%20(1-0-0)%20v%20Muhammad%20Muzeei%20(0-0-0)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWelterweight%206%20rounds%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMarwan%20Mohamad%20Madboly%20(2-0-0)%20v%20Sheldon%20Schultz%20(4-4-0)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESuper%20featherweight%208%20rounds%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EBishara%20Sabbar%20(6-0-0)%20v%20Mohammed%20Azahar%20(8-5-1)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECruiseweight%208%20rounds%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMohammed%20Bekdash%20(25-0-0)%20v%20Musa%20N%E2%80%99tege%20(8-4-0)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESuper%20flyweight%2010%20rounds%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ESultan%20Al%20Nuaimi%20(9-0-0)%20v%20Jemsi%20Kibazange%20(18-6-2)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELightweight%2010%20rounds%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EBader%20Samreen%20(8-0-0)%20v%20Jose%20Paez%20Gonzales%20(16-2-2-)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Mobile phone packages comparison
ENGLAND%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EGoalkeepers%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Pickford%20(Everton)%2C%20Pope%20(Newcastle)%2C%20Ramsdale%20(Arsenal)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDefenders%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Chilwell%20(Chelsea)%2C%20Dier%20(Tottenham)%2C%20Guehi%20(Crystal%20Palace)%2C%20James%20(Chelsea)%2C%20Maguire%20(Man%20United)%2C%20Shaw%20(Man%20United)%2C%20Stones%20(Man%20City)%2C%20Trippier%20(Newcastle)%2C%20Walker%20(Man%20City)%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMidfielders%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBellingham%20(Dortmund)%2C%20Gallagher%20(Chelsea)%2C%20Henderson%20(Liverpool)%2C%20Maddison%20(Leicester)%2C%20Mount%20(Chelsea)%2C%20Phillips%20(Man%20City)%2C%20Declan%20Rice%20(West%20Ham)%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EForwards%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFoden%20(Man%20City)%2C%20Grealish%20(Man%20City)%2C%20Kane%20(Tottenham)%2C%20Rashford%20(Man%20United)%2C%20Saka%20(Arsenal)%2C%20Toney%20(Brentford)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”