Mideast private equity market seen revived by end-09

Middle Eastern private equity firms sitting on $11 billion in cash are keen to put money in regional health and infrastructure projects, likely triggering a revival in the sector by the end of the year, industry leaders said.

Private equity activity, the investment in non-listed companies, has sunk to all-time lows as their main sources of funding have dried up.

Middle Eastern private equity firms that benefited from years of high oil prices and have unused capital at their disposal are now looking to take advantage of low valuations and meet an increasing demand in investments in the health care, transportation, infrastructure and education sectors.