CBRE, the world's biggest property agent, is to expand into capital market advisory services in the Asia-Pacific region as mainland outbound investment becomes a major component of global capital flows.
"That's one of the main reasons we are getting into the new business line," said Rob Blain, chief executive and chairman of CBRE Asia Pacific.
Blain said potential clients were eyeing investments not only in the US but other global markets as well, and their targets were not confined to commercial properties. They were also looking at residential units, manufacturing companies and other kinds of businesses.
The new unit - CBRE Capital Advisors, Asia Pacific, which will be formed soon - will be responsible for helping clients source capital in the form of equity or debt, executing investment strategies and advising clients on private placements.
The Singapore-based unit will be headed by Nick Crockett, former head of Jones Lang LaSalle's Asia-Pacific corporate finance group.
Mainland companies are increasingly investing abroad.
