$20 BILLION ANCHOR INVESTMENT FROM THE PUBLIC INVESTMENT FUND OF SAUDI ARABIA
VEHICLE WILL INVEST IN THE ENHANCEMENT OF US INFRASTRUCTURE ASSETS
New York, May 20, 2017 – Blackstone and the Public Investment Fund (“PIF”) of Saudi Arabia announced today the execution of a memorandum of understanding in relation to the launch of a new investment vehicle dedicated to infrastructure with an anchor $20 billion contribution by PIF. Blackstone anticipates that the program will have $40 billion in total equity commitments in a permanent capital vehicle, including $20 billion to be raised from other investors. The MOU is non-binding and the parties will continue their negotiation to agree definitive documentation.
Overall, through the equity in this vehicle and additional debt financing, Blackstone expects to invest in more than $100 billion of infrastructure projects, principally in the United States.
Across its investment strategies, infrastructure investing has been one of Blackstone's most successful and active areas. The firm has invested in more than $40 billion of infrastructure-related projects globally over the last 15 years. This vehicle launches a new business for Blackstone with PIF as a strategic partner. This collaboration between PIF and Blackstone is the culmination of a year’s discussions between the two institutions, which began in May 2016.
H.E. Yasir Al Rumayyan, Managing Director of the Public Investment Fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said: “The Public Investment Fund’s international investment strategy is built upon establishing strong global partnerships and identifying opportunities to maximize sustainable returns for the people of Saudi Arabia. We look forward to partnering with Blackstone, a recognized leader with a strong record of achievement across its extensive infrastructure projects. This potential investment reflects our positive views around the ambitious infrastructure initiatives being undertaken in the United States as announced by President Trump, and the strategic opportunity for the Public Investment Fund to achieve long-term returns given historical investment shortfalls.”
Blackstone’s new program will help the United States address its significant need for infrastructure improvement. United States infrastructure is graded D+ by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and the deteriorated state of its infrastructure is estimated to cost each American family $3,400 per year. Independent estimates put the country’s infrastructure funding gap at up to $2 trillion, requiring significant domestic and international private sector investment. Infrastructure investment plans currently under consideration at the Federal level in the United States are expected to create as many as 15 million jobs, while also enhancing America's economic growth, productivity, and global competitiveness.
Blackstone President Hamilton E. James said: “There is broad agreement that the United States urgently needs to invest in its rapidly aging infrastructure. This will create well-paying American jobs and will lay the foundation for stronger long-term economic growth. Blackstone has the talent, scale and experience to be an effective private sector partner in filling the massive infrastructure funding gap. We thank PIF for its strong endorsement of the United States and its vote of confidence in our country and Blackstone in making this investment.”
M. Klein and Company advised PIF on the creation of this strategic partnership with Blackstone.
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About the Public Investment Fund:
The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia has a diverse portfolio made up of approximately 200 investments, of which around 20 are listed on the Tadawul, the Saudi Stock Exchange. As well as its listed holdings, the Public Investment Fund also has unlisted equity investments, international investments, real estate holdings, and loans, bonds and sukuks.
Since oversight of the Public Investment Fund was transferred from the Ministry of Finance to the Council of Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA) in 2015, the Fund has been undertaking a phased transformation program to implement a redefined strategy and mandate. This includes expanding the leadership and operational teams, enhancing the governance structures, engaging with the diverse portfolio and implementing the investment strategy, which is closely aligned with Vision 2030. A new Board has been appointed, chaired by HRH the Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud.
The Public Investment Fund aims to be a global investment powerhouse and the world’s most impactful investor, enabling the creation of new sectors and opportunities that will shape the future global economy, while driving the economic transformation of Saudi Arabia.
About Blackstone:
Blackstone is one of the world’s leading investment firms. We seek to create positive economic impact and long-term value for our investors, the companies we invest in, and the communities in which we work. We do this by using extraordinary people and flexible capital to help companies solve problems. Our asset management businesses, with over $360 billion in assets under management, include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, non-investment grade credit, real assets and secondary funds, all on a global basis. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow Blackstone on Twitter @Blackstone.
This release does not constitute an offer of any Blackstone fund.
Media Contacts:
Blackstone Public Affairs
+1 212-583-5263
PIF PR & Communications Department
media@PIF.gov.sa