Canada-based Canaccord Genuity Group will be expanding its global footprint with a Dubai office, from which it will focus on relationships in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia region.

Canada-based Canaccord Genuity Group will be expanding its global footprint with a Dubai office, from which it will focus on relationships in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia regions.

The new investment banking and advisory practice, expected to go live in the second quarter, will be led by Sachin Mahajan, currently Canaccord Genuity's managing director, mergers and acquisitions.

Mahajan has been involved in the firm’s cross-border M&A activity between Canada and the Indian subcontinent and Middle East. He brings to the new role more than 10 years' experience of advising companies on cross-border M&A and restructuring transactions.

“This important initiative reinforces our commitment to our clients in the MENASA region who will continue to benefit from the strengths of our global platform with the added benefit of local expertise," said Paul Reynolds, president and chief executive of Canaccord Genuity Group, in a statement. 

“The move enhances our global distribution capabilities to a concentration of investors with increasing demand for exposure to global mid-market investment opportunities,” he added.

The group currently operates in 10 countries worldwide, with wealth management offices in Canada, Australia and Europe.