More than half of Limited Partners (LPs) are planning to increase or maintain their investment in offshore private equity funds in the next five years, according to a global survey by offshore law firm Mourant Ozannes.

In case of mid-shore jurisdictions, 51% of LPs intend to increase or maintain investments.

The study also revealed that 88% of private equity professionals across the globe have a positive outlook on the private equity industry over the next 12 months.

In the UK, 93% of private equity professionals are optimistic about the industry, which is the largest proportion worldwide. In North America, 85% of private equity professionals have a positive outlook about the industry in the next six months.

Mourant Ozannes funds partner Ben Robins said: "It is clear that both GPs and institutional investors across the globe remain positive about the role well-regulated and transparent offshore financial centres play in the PE market.

"A significant majority are refocusing their attention on jurisdictions that provide tested, flexible and cost-effective structures for holding or financing international assets or operations.The research also indicated that the location of a fund is high on the list of factors that influence investment decisions.”