Dubai, 31 January 2012 --  The need for broadband capacity in the MENA-region (Middle East & North Africa) is rising exponentially as demand for data transmission in key markets is rapidly growing.  According to MENA Telecom Infrastructure Fund (Menatif) the MENA broadband market makes for a great investment opportunity.

Better connectivity
All the larger countries with relatively young populations will see soaring demand for broadband services. High spending power of many people in the region and a general willingness to adopt new technologies, will create demand for faster connectivity. And with the regulatory environment encouraging competition, quite a few emerging, runner-up companies begin offering the latest broadband technology and, if properly financed and equipped, will show spectacular growth. Because of the generally low penetration of fixed lines in MENA, mobile high speed data offers great investment potential.

Preferably fibre
"Many countries in the MENA-region will need to upgrade their networks very quickly in the coming three years, " says Dr. Paul Gelderloos, head of investment management of Menatif.  According to Gelderloos the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a good example of a country that has tackled the problem.  WiMAX had been adopted to by-pass the lack of fixed infrastructure and competition was boosted through the licensing of additional operators. Gelderloos: "Quite a lot of capacity can be gained via WiMAX. But at some point companies will need enhanced capacity via fixed networks, preferably fibre."

Dream scenario
UAE is a good example of a nation that recognises the necessity of high speed fixed connectivity and is investing heavily in broadband access, making it the world leader in fibre-to-the-home. Gelderloos: "But for the region as a whole, we are just at the beginning. From an investment point of view, it is like a dream scenario."

Shari'a compliant
Menatif has an active interest in the region and invests in public and private equities.  Gelderloos says: "All investments are Shari'a compliant. We'll invest 40% in public telecom equities, 30% in private equity and we hold 30% in other securities for hedging purposes so that positive returns can be gained in virtually all market environments."

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About Menatif
MENA Telecom Infrastructure Fund focuses on the broadband industry in the MENA region. Where the telecom markets in Europe and the United States witnessed strong growth in previous decades, MENA now is poised for a rapid and structural development of data traffic. MENA Telecom Infrastructure Fund is an open-ended fund that will invest in both public and private companies, which fulfil its stringent criteria. Companies should be oriented towards the facilitation of data traffic and will need to have ownership of or the control over the underlying network infrastructure, as well as offer wholesale or retail services. Seasoned professionals who jointly have more than 50 years of telecom experience lead the Fund. The $ 250 million Fund is Shari'a compliant.

The founder of the Fund, Dr. Paul Gelderloos, was the first alternate telecom operator in Europe and grew it into a fully-fledged, infrastructure-based convergent telecom company.   

Menatif is an associate partner of the 13th Annual Hedge Funds World Middle East, which will be held on 5-8 March 2012 in the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai.

With over $3 trillion worth of capital represented, Hedge Funds World Middle East is the central meeting place for the Middle East's biggest institutional investors.

More information: www.menatif.com

Dr. Paul Gelderloos: "From an investment point of view, this is like a dream scenario".

Contact:
MENA Telecom Infrastructure Fund
Franse Kampweg 6
1406 NW Bussum
Netherlands
T: +31 35 744 0130
E: lisa.koning@menatif.com

© Press Release 2012