On April 2, Hillhouse Investment Management officially launched a new office at Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and secured a Category 3C license from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), stepping up its Gulf expansion.

The move comes after market speculation in 2024 and makes Hillhouse one of the first global asset managers to enter ADGM amid ongoing regional conflicts.

Abu Dhabi's robust financial ecosystem has become a magnet for global institutions. ADGM reported a 36% year-on-year rise in assets under management in 2025, with total valid licenses growing 30% to 12,671. As the largest international financial hub in the Middle East and Africa, it offers tax incentives, convenient market access, and proximity to massive sovereign wealth pools.

Hillhouse is not alone in expanding into the emirate. Muzinich & Co opened an ADGM office on March 30, while Skadden, Golub Capital, Morgan Stanley and General Atlantic have all set up or planned operations there in the past two years, drawn by its stable and business-friendly environment.

The new office builds on Hillhouse’s existing UAE footprint. Its corporate services platform Ascentium acquired Clara, a major ADGM-licensed provider, in February 2026. Rava Partners, Hillhouse's real asset arm, has also invested in UAE education properties including international schools.

With deep local infrastructure and regulatory approval, Hillhouse aims to strengthen fundraising and investment ties across the Gulf. As a leading Chinese asset manager, its Abu Dhabi launch marks a key step in global growth and further boosts the emirate's standing as a preferred destination for global private capital.