- Qatar is aiming to increase its investments in emerging fields and industries such as technology and healthcare. With the demand for its natural resources and the conclusion of a $300 billion expenditure on the World Cup, there is the prospect of additional funds to allocate. As a result, the Qatar Investment Authority, which manages approximately $450 billion, is exploring opportunities outside its usual focus on Europe and preference for prestigious assets.
- The fund has expanded its tech investments globally, including Swiggy and Ensoma. It now focuses on semiconductors, software, and tech buyouts. As a major European sovereign investor, QIA holds stakes in Glencore, J Sainsbury, and Volkswagen. It supports blue-chip holdings in climate and energy issues and is ready for significant capital deployment.
Why it matters
QIA, founded in 2005 to manage Qatar's revenue from liquefied natural gas exports, has become the 10th-largest sovereign wealth fund globally. It played a crucial role during the 2008 financial crisis, providing capital to European firms like Barclays. Now, with dwindling market liquidity and soaring natural gas demand, QIA stands among a few well-funded investors capable of financing major deals.
