The Financial Times today announces the launch of MandateWire Asia, a new service that provides money managers with rapid, reliable and high-value business intelligence on institutional asset flows and sales leads.

With a reputation for being first to report on global investment opportunities, MandateWire has seen significant growth in Europe and the US over the past few years and its expansion into Asia further highlights the need for high quality information for asset managers worldwide. It also forms part of the FT’s strategy of taking market-leading publications to a global audience.

MandateWire Asia will act as a platform for money managers to engage with Asian investors and will have a dedicated team of reporters based in Hong Kong. It will initially focus on the top 300 funds in the region, with general coverage of the rest of the market. Countries of focus will include Japan, China, Australia, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong, as well as Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia.

Acquired by the Financial Times in August 2009, MandateWire is recognised as the leading source of institutional asset management intelligence and monitors the investment activities of over 5,000 institutional investors. In June 2010, the brand extended its offering with a US edition and is now adding MandateWire Asia to its portfolio.