Qatar launches Doha Investment fund arm as PM warns of regional "earthquake"

Qatar’s prime minister and foreign minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, on Sunday unveiled Doha Investment, a new division of the Qatar Investment Authority dedicated to domestic investments, at a special session of the Qatar Economic Forum, powered by Bloomberg, held in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

“We aim to expand the role of the private sector in driving Qatar’s economic growth,” the prime minister said, according to QNA.

The new division will manage QIA’s local portfolio, initially 45 state-owned enterprises amounting to roughly one-third of the sovereign fund’s total assets. Commerce Minister Sheikh Faisal bin Thani Al Thani will serve as managing director and vice-chairman.

The launch comes as Qatar faces financial strain from the US-Israel war on Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has hit LNG exports. The annual Qatar Economic Forum was cancelled in May after Iranian missile and drone attacks on Gulf states, including Qatar.

In the same speech, the prime minister described the regional fallout as an “earthquake” whose shock waves extend beyond the Middle East, “challenging assumptions about security and stability”, warned against “cycles of escalation”, and called for a regional framework that respects sovereignty, Al Jazeera reported. Al Jazeera’s Kristen Saloomey noted the message will be repeated when Gulf leaders meet US President Donald Trump on Tuesday at UNGA.

Sources

• Reuters — Qatar launches wealth fund division for domestic investments
• Al Jazeera — Qatari PM warns against ‘cycles of escalation’ in the Middle East
• QNA — Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs announce launch of Doha Investment platform
• Qatar Tribune — Qatar emerged stronger following various challenges: PM