The romantic notion of the Orient as a mysterious source of goodness has moved on from the world of alternative therapies. Word has spread to the alternative investment industry and hedge fund managers are looking to the East to cure their ills.

Over the past four years the hedge fund industry, predominantly based in the US and with a growing outpost in Europe, has enjoyed an expansion averaging more than 20% a year. Assets under management have ballooned to $900bn (€689.5bn) and the party looks set to continue with institutional and even retail investors poised to pour in more money.