Jan 15 2012 |
more articles from
|
Expats welcome to Qatari investments in France
Doha: French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen defined Qatari investments in France as "dangerous", but French nationals living in Doha appear to welcome the Qatari presence in their country.Last year, Qatar set up a $67m fund for entrepreneurs from France's often-deprived suburbs to set up businesses. Le Pen argues that Qatari investments are due to the very high proportion of Muslims who are in the French suburbs.
"We are letting a foreign country choose its investments with regard to the religion of this or that part of the French population or of French territory," Le Pen said.
"I think what Qatar is doing is great!," said Nicolas T, who has been living in Doha for a year and a half and works for a French company in Qatar.
People from all over the world are discussing the issue on the web. "Neither QIA nor any other Arab sovereign wealth fund is investing in Europe based on religion. It is based on making an attractive return so that there is money for future generations once oil and gas resources are depleted," wrote Tarek from London on Arabian Business website commenting on the article reporting Le Pen's criticism toward Qatar.
Qatar Investment Authority in May bought 70 percent of the French capital's sole first division club Paris Saint Germain in a deal reportedly worth up to $57m. Le Pen, who is challenging French President Nicolas Sarkozy in elections later this year, said that she was not happy with Qatar's takeover of PSG.
Touching a sport issue, Le Pen has recorded a peak of criticism from French citizens. Some argue that she is racists, others that she is jealous of Qatar's financial stability, while some say that she is paranoid. "This is ridiculous! Please Miss Le Pen, don't mess up sport with politics," wrote Paulo Cesar commenting on the news reported by the French newspaper Metro French.
© The Peninsula 2012
© Copyright Zawya. All Rights Reserved.
Post Your Comment