Allianz to invest $500m in infrastructure projects with World Bank's IFC

Allianz Group said they are investing $500m (€446m) in infrastructure projects within emerging markets with the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC). Under the managed co-lending portfolio programme, Allianz and the IFC will supply debt financing for infrastructure projects in emerging markets worldwide. Allianz Global Investors infrastructure debt team, which structured the transaction, will supervise the fund on behalf of investors. A first loss protection, to reflect the risk/reward profile of an institutional investor, will offer Allianz insurance entities access to emerging market infrastructure loans, which have historically only been funded by international development institutions, local banks and some international banks. Andreas Gruber, Allianz CIO, said, “This partnership underlines how we at Allianz can create value for our customers by combining entrepreneurial investment ideas with industry-leading implementation know-how. Together with IFC, we were able to conceive a reliable investment vehicle appropriate to the very long-term perspectives of all parties involved.”