Siemens has held talks with sovereign wealth funds from the Gulf, Russia and other regions to expand its long-term investor base, the Financial Times reported on Thursday, quoting its finance chief.
The German engineering group "would very much welcome an active involvement" of such funds, the paper quoted Chief Financial Officer Joe Kaeser as saying.
"We are very open to anyone who would want to join us as an investor."
The paper said prospects of a sovereign wealth fund taking a big stake in one of Germany's industrial flagships could prove politically contentious in Germany, where the growing influence of such funds has been a hot subject.
But it could also boost business opportunities in some of the world's fastest-growing regions.
The newspaper said Chief Executive Peter Loescher was particularly struck by a deal that rival General Electric reached last month with Abu Dhabi's Mubadala investment vehicle.
That accord gives Mubadala a stake in GE and creates a joint venture in the Middle East with the company's finance arm. (Reuters)
MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM
TOP IN MIDDLE EAST POLITICS & ECONOMICS
TOP MIDDLE EAST BUSINESS STORIES
ALSO IN MIDDLE EAST POLITICS & ECONOMICS
LATEST MIDDLE EAST BUSINESS NEWS
- Sport: Westwood extends lead after Race to Dubai's Day 3
- Financial Markets: Saudi index down, banks and petchems weigh
- Real Estate: Merger technical talks to conclude in a month - Emaar
- Banking & Finance: Dubai's Abraaj eyes property investments
- Banking & Finance: Emirates NBD launches bank’s new brand identity
