28 March 2017

Qatar's $335 billion sovereign wealth fund sees opportunities to invest in Britain after Brexit and is looking at infrastructure, healthcare and technology, the fund's head told a London conference on Monday.

"I am still looking, even after Brexit there will be opportunities QIA [Qatar Investment Authority] can really hunt for," the authority’s chief executive Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Thani told an investment conference in London.

Qatar’s finance minister also said the Gulf Arab state will invest 5 billion pounds ($6.3 billion) in Britain over the next few years, Reuters reported.

Qataris are one of the most high-profile investors in London, owning landmarks such as the Shard skyscraper, Harrods department store and Olympic Village, as well as luxury hotels.

The close relationship between the Gulf and Britain works both ways as research released last week by the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre found that uncertainty over the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union is making British businesses more open to overseas expansion, with the Gulf ranking highly among the international locations being considered.

The study found 40 percent of British businesses surveyed said they would consider expanding to the Middle East, while 75 percent said they would consider Dubai.

Gulf Arab states are pressing for an early deal on free trade with Britain to secure preferential arrangements after Brexit, and could have a draft agreement ready within months, according to a report by Reuters this week.

Trade between Britain and the GCC totals about 30 billion pounds ($37.5 billion) annually.

Britain isn’t the only location on Qatar’s radar, QIA is setting up an office in San Francisco to manage its growing portfolio in the United States.

Further reading:

© Express 2017