Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund (SWF), which manages about US$256 billion in assets, has announced that it will establish an office in the US as it increasingly seeks investment deals in the country.
The Doha-based Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) said it will open an office in New York City on the back of its growing US investment portfolio, according to the Gulf state’s US ambassador, Mohammed bin Jaham Al Kuwari.
The SWF, which is heavily internationally focussed, did not give any further details on when the office would open, nor the extent of the assets it is currently managing in the US.
The QIA has, however, sharpened its focus on international investments of late. In October last year, its private equity arm, Qatar Holding, agreed to purchase a 20% equity stake in Hong Kong mall operator Lifestyle International Holdings (LIH) for around US$616 million.
It has recently announced plans to invest $20 billion in Asia over the next five years.
Its existing retail portfolio also includes London department store Harrods, as well as equity stakes in jeweller Tiffany & Co, and fashion brand Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH).
It also owns top tier French football team Paris St-Germain, and several properties along the Champs Elysees, as well as recently announcing a deal to acquire the company that owns London’s Canary Wharf district for $4 billion.
http://www.asiaasset.com/news/Qatar_SWFDS0605.aspx
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