The CEO of the Middle East's biggest private equity firm, Dubai-based Abraaj Capital, told CNBC the Arab Spring uprising has created a market dislocation that is ripe for deal-making.
"I've never seen deal flow better than I'm seeing right now. And I think that's a function of market dislocation in the Middle East," Arif Naqvi told CNBC in an interview.
Naqvi added that there was a growing trend towards investing in infrastructure, which is making the region so attractive.
He was also confident that private equity companies would have few problems with exit strategies this year.
"I think good businesses find their buyers in an almost natural progression. We continue to think that exit opportunities in our markets - with a few more transactions this year - are going to be exhibited," he said. "It's more about the business than about the macro conditions."
Abraaj Capital proved its confidence in the Middle East and growth markets on Monday when it announced the purchase of UK-based specialist fund manager Aureos Capital.
Naqvi declined to comment on the sum paid for Aureos, which provides expansion and buyout funding to SMEs in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly described Abraaj Capital as an investment bank as well as a private equity firm. Abraaj Capital said they are not an investment bank.
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