Investment manager AMP Capital has launched a new infrastructure debt strategy for Asia-Pacific to help investors capitalize on emerging growth opportunities in the region as demand for basic infrastructure in developing economies continues to increase.

Infrastructure Debt Asia will target infrastructure mezzanine debt opportunities in both developed and developing countries in Asia-Pacific, the company said in a statement. A dedicated team based in Singapore and Sydney will seek attractive investment opportunities in sectors such as energy, transportation, utilities, and digital infrastructure across the region for its global investor base.

Says Simon La Greca, AMP Capital’s head of Infrastructure Debt Asia: “The strategy will capitalize on our strong global relationships with infrastructure equity sponsors who are also increasingly active in the region. We recognize there is currently a funding gap for infrastructure projects in Asia, and that’s why we are making the region a key strategic priority. AMP Capital already has a strong track record in infrastructure debt across North America and Europe – the Asia strategy will form the third pillar of our global infrastructure debt business.”

AMP Capital has already completed deals in Asia-Pacific, including a A$210 million (US$145 million) mezzanine debt investment with Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners to support the acquisition of one of Taiwan’s leading offshore wind farm developers, Swancor Renewable Energy. The investment supports the construction of a new 376-megawatt offshore wind farm called Formosa II.

Last year, the company raised a record US$6.2 billion for its fourth infrastructure debt strategy. Since 2001, its infrastructure debt team has invested more than US$8.8 billion in 80 assets globally.