Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), one of the world's largest sovereign

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wealth funds, will pay a visit to India from tomorrow to explore investment opportunities.

"Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Hamed will be meeting several ministers, top financial and monetary authorities and leading members of the private sector during his visit to New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. He will be accompanied by a high level delegation of senior officials of ADIA," India's Ambassador to the UAE, M K Lokesh told PTI.

He is visiting India from January 16-20 at the invitation of commerce, industry and textiles minister Anand Sharma. The ambassador will be accompanying Sheikh Hamed during the visit.

Established in 1976, ADIA is a globally diversified investment institution wholly owned by Abu Dhabi Government.

It manages a substantial global investment portfolio, which is highly diversified across more than two-dozen asset classes and sub-categories, including quoted equities, fixed income, real estate, private equity, alternatives and infrastructure.

Lokesh said India and the UAE enjoy time-tested and historical relations and they are currently the largest trading partners for each other. According to official figures, the bilateral trade reached a level of $ 67 billion last year.

"Both India and the UAE have shown economic resilience during the recent economic crisis and offer opportunities in the trade and investment sectors. UAE is among the top 10 investing countries in India with an estimated investment of more than $ 8 billion," he said.

Besides ADIA, major UAE companies investing in India include Taqa, Dubai Ports World, EMAAR, Etisalat, TECOM, RAK Ceramics and RAK Investment Authority etc.

A large number of Indian companies have also invested in the UAE in various sectors including automobiles, shipping, manufacturing, health services, retail and real estate sectors. During his visit, Sheikh Hamed will explore further opportunities for investments in India.

He will be meeting senior central ministers including finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, External Affairs minister S M Krishna, Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath, Rural Development Minister J Ramesh and communication & IT minister Kapil Sibal.