Middle East sees robust year of cross-border M&A activity

Cross-border M&A activity in the Middle East was “robust” in 2016, despite global activity taking a hit from political and economic events, according to Baker & McKenzie’s Cross-Border M&A Index. The Middle East’s position on the index hit 181.6 in 4Q2016, with the UAE topping the list as the most active in the region in both outbound and inbound investment. The value of inbound agreements in the region more than doubled to reach USD 10 bn, although the volume of agreements for the year remained unchanged at 29. The technology, energy, and utilities sectors accounted for half of the year’s largest deals, with the technology sector reaching USD 66.9 bn in deals. “The remarkable increase in cross-regional deal value and the steady flow of deals for 2016 bodes well for M&A in the coming year,” Corporate/M&A Partner Will Seivewright said. The law firm said last month it expects USD 2.5 bn in M&A activity in Egypt this year.