Allianz Global Investors, the New York-based investment management firm, has appointed an industry veteran to lead its new global emerging market debt team.

Greg Saichin joins the company as head of global merging market debt in September 2013 after serving as head of emerging markets and high yield fixed income portfolio management at Pioneer Investments. He brings over 20 years of industry experience to the role, the past 13 as portfolio manager.

The creation of a global EM debt offering complements ongoing efforts to enhance the firm's range of financial products and services. In past year, AllianzGI has built its infrastructure debt and equity capabilities in addition to a new regional Asian bonds offering.

"With the rebalancing of global growth from OECD markets toward emerging economies, EMD is becoming an increasingly significant and attractive asset class for long-term investors," commented Andreas Utermann, co-head and global chief investment officer. 

Emerging markets in Asia include China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Korea, Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand.

Allianz Global Investors manages some $400 billion in assets as at 31 March 2013, split among equity (38 per cent), fixed income (41 per cent) and multi-asset investments (21 per cent).