Washington, May 06 (QNA) - HE Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari participated in a fireside chat entitled “Firm Foundations in a Fluid World”, held as part of the Milken Institute Global Conference 2026 in Los Angeles, USA.

The session addressed key themes relating to Qatar’s fiscal resilience amid the rapid transformations shaping the global economy. It examined how the State of Qatar is navigating geopolitical uncertainty, while maintaining a careful balance between long-term investment priorities and the immediate demands of a rapidly evolving economic environment.

The discussion also highlighted the role of the global energy transition in reshaping economic frameworks, and how Qatar has effectively leveraged its resources and fiscal policies to strengthen economic stability and ensure sustainable growth, reinforcing its position as a model of resilience and adaptability in an evolving international context.

In his remarks, His Excellency the Minister of Finance underlined that the large and diversified financial buffers Qatar has deliberately built — and continue to strengthen — have been instrumental in enabling the State to navigate successive economic and geopolitical challenges from a position of confidence. Qatar's three main reserve funds remain exceptionally robust: the Ministry of Finance's Stabilisation Fund serves as a dedicated first line of defense, followed by the record-high central bank reserves, and the substantial, highly liquid, and globally diversified portfolio of the Qatar Investment Authority. Together, these buffers continue to underpin Qatar's strong credit profile and one of the tightest sovereign CDS spreads in the region.

His Excellency also noted that the 2026 budget is based on a conservative oil price assumption of USD 55 per barrel, consistent with Qatar’s prudent fiscal approach. This policy is designed to safeguard financial stability and ensure the continuity of public spending under the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework, even in the face of potential volatility in global energy markets.

In relation to investment, His Excellency highlighted that the State continues to implement its global investment strategy despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, with a focus on high-potential sectors such as space, artificial intelligence, entertainment, and healthcare, reflecting confidence in long-term global growth prospects.

While there has been an increased focus on domestic investment in recent years, particularly through venture capital funds supporting startups, the majority of new investments remain international, with continued emphasis on opportunities in the United States, especially in the technology and healthcare sectors. (QNA)