BBLAM Partners with E Fund to Launch Innovative China-Focused Investment Fund
Thailand's BBLAM Launches China-Focused Fund
BBL Asset Management (BBLAM), a premier asset manager from Thailand, is set to unveil the Bualuang China Next Economy Fund (B-CNNEXT) on August 26, 2025. This new fund-of-funds (FOF) is strategically designed to channel investments through QFII pathways into equity funds overseen by E Fund Management, one of China's largest mutual fund managers. The initiative aims to help Thai investors capitalize on the opportunities emerging from China's economic transformation.
In recent years, interest in foreign investment, particularly in China, has surged among Thai investors. Khun Anak Kittivat, who oversees Global Investment Management at BBLAM, emphasized the company's commitment to the Chinese market, revealing that China-focused investment strategies comprise a significant portion of offshore offerings for Thai clients. He noted the stark return discrepancies between global managers and those invested in mainland China's markets, an environment ripe with potential.
BBLAM has recently secured its QFII licenses, allowing it to better evaluate and implement superior investment strategies available in mainland China. This step symbolizes BBLAM's dedication to expanding its China-focused offerings, highlighting sectors such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, robotics, and healthcare—all poised for remarkable growth.
The launch of B-CNNEXT marks an important advancement in BBLAM's evolving partnership with E Fund, which solidified in a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in March 2024. This collaboration was further reinforced in December 2024 when BBLAM's Bualuang China Equity Fund made a significant investment into the E Fund Ruiheng Hybrid Fund. The establishment of the new fund exemplifies the ongoing deepening of ties between these two financial powerhouses, aligning with China's ongoing capital market reforms that make it increasingly accessible to global investors.
E Fund has embarked on its globalization journey by establishing overseas subsidiaries and forming strategic partnerships with renowned global asset managers. By serving as a bridge for international investors seeking opportunities in China, E Fund enhances accessibility while providing reliable investment solutions.
Founded in 2001, E Fund has attained recognition as a leading comprehensive mutual fund manager in China, managing an impressive RMB 3.6 trillion (approximately USD 512 billion) as of June 30, 2025. The firm prides itself on delivering sustainable investment performance for a diverse client base that includes individual investors, institutions, central banks, sovereign wealth funds, social security funds, pension plans, and insurance companies. E Fund remains dedicated to long-term investment strategies rooted in thorough research, and it champions responsible investing practices, making it a highly respected player within the asset management landscape in China.
On the other hand, BBL Asset Management, established in March 1992, has emerged as one of Thailand's leading investment management firms, currently overseeing approximately 768,832 million baht (around USD 24 billion). BBLAM's diverse array of funds spans equity, fixed income, asset allocation strategies, and real estate options for both institutional and retail investors.
In conclusion, the emergence of the Bualuang China Next Economy Fund represents a significant stride for both BBLAM and E Fund. This collaboration not only enhances investment prospects for Thai investors looking to dive into China's rapidly changing economy but also strengthens the ongoing relationship between the two firms, all while showcasing their commitment to delivering innovative financial solutions in an evolving market landscape.