ABU DHABI, Dec 7 (Reuters) - U.S.-based Guggenheim

Investments, with assets of about $357 billion, is actively

considering an office in Saudi Arabia and wants to capitalise on

investment opportunities in infrastructure and transportation as

part of its expansion in the Gulf region.

The firm has an office in Dubai, the region's top financial

and trade hub, and is in the process of getting licensed in Abu

Dhabi, the UAE's oil-rich capital city and home to sovereign

wealth funds managing around $2 trillion.

"We are very, very positive on the region," Anne Walsh,

chief investment officer at Guggenheim Partners Investment

Management, told Reuters on the sidelines of the Milken

Institute's Middle East and Africa summit in Abu Dhabi.

"And to be a leader in artificial intelligence and

technology investment, which I see amongst the countries in the

region, and the ability to harness energy, both fossil fuels and

others, here in the region is going to be strong as well to

support that technology business. So I see a great deal of

opportunity."

Asked whether Guggenheim was looking at Riyadh, Walsh said

the company was in "active due consideration, yes."

"And, you know, we are looking to deploy capital in Saudi

Arabia as well. So not just with an office, but to actually make

investments, and particularly from our transportation equipment

and infrastructure investing. That makes a lot of sense to us."

Saudi and U.S. officials touted billions of dollars in new

investments and growing financial ties between the two countries

in November.

Gulf states have accelerated efforts to diversify their

economies away from hydrocarbons for longer-term sustainable

growth, investing heavily in non-oil sectors like financial

services, tourism, technology and manufacturing.

Earlier this year, Guggenheim Investments became a strategic

partner of the Future Investment Initiative Institute, which

organises Riyadh's flagship annual investment conference.