Qatar
Land of sand, desert and half of London!
Qatar is one of the wealthiest countries in the world on a per capita basis. Its wealth primarily comes from its vast reserves of natural gas and oil. The country has consistently ranked among the highest GDP per capita countries globally.
Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) is the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar. It was established in 2005 to manage the country's surplus revenues generated from its vast reserves of oil and natural gas. The QIA's primary objective is to invest these funds in a diversified portfolio of assets both domestically and internationally to generate long-term returns and support the economic development and prosperity of Qatar.
The QIA has been involved in a wide range of investments, including real estate, infrastructure, equities, bonds, and various other asset classes. It has made significant investments in various countries and sectors around the world, including real estate in Europe, technology companies in the United States, and various other strategic investments.
The QIA plays a crucial role in Qatar's economic development and its strategy of diversifying its sources of income beyond the energy sector. As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, specific details about the QIA's investments and holdings may have evolved, so it's advisable to check the latest information from reliable sources for the most up-to-date information.
What UK assets does Qatar own?
Assets in the UK include Harrods, which Qatar bought in 2010, a 20% stake in London Heathrow, and 25% ownership of British Airways's parent company IAG . Qatar also own property assets including Canary Wharf, HSBC Tower and The Shard.
Qatar's other “major investments” include a 7% stake in the London Stock Exchange Group; 4.6% in water firm Severn Trent, and a 0.5% stake in Shell. Further afield, the QIA has a 9.9% stake in Empire State Realty Trust, the owner of the Empire State Building, among many others globally
The Shard: Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), owns a significant stake in The Shard, which is one of London's most iconic skyscrapers.
Harrods: In 2010, QIA acquired Harrods, the famous luxury department store located in Knightsbridge, London.
Chelsea Barracks: Qatari Diar, a real estate subsidiary of QIA, was involved in a development project to transform Chelsea Barracks into luxury residences.
One Hyde Park: Qatari investors have purchased properties in One Hyde Park, one of the most exclusive residential developments in London.
The Olympic Village: During the 2012 London Olympics, QIA purchased a stake in the Olympic Village, which was later developed into residential properties.
Canary Wharf: Qatar Holding LLC, a subsidiary of QIA, holds a significant stake in Canary Wharf Group, which owns and operates the Canary Wharf financial district.
