Doha, September 27 (QNA) - In a significant move reflecting the resilience of the Qatari economy and its ability to sustain growth amidst regional and international uncertainty, HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani announced the launch of the Doha Investment platform, which represents a qualitative shift in the management of the Qatar Investment Authority’s domestic investment portfolio.

Its primary objective will be to manage and develop local assets and accelerate long-term value creation within the Qatari economy, following three decades of building world-class infrastructure, institutions, and companies.

The platform announced by His Excellency during his opening remarks at the Qatar Economic Forum, powered by Bloomberg, held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) last week, establishes a strategic framework that shifts the focus from construction to optimal investment in existing assets, while positioning the private sector as a primary engine of growth. This builds upon Qatar’s success over recent decades in transforming energy revenues into tangible assets, including advanced infrastructure, robust financial institutions, and companies capable of competing regionally and globally. The new platform aims to leverage these pillars to their full potential for creating a more competitive, resilient, and diversified economy in which the private sector plays a greater role.

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs announced that Qatar plans to launch infrastructure projects worth about $38.5 billion over the next five years, including public-private partnership projects, with initial tenders to be issued immediately. Separately, real estate and hospitality projects are expected to attract $22.5 billion in private investment, including the Simaisma Beach project, which is projected to draw around $5.8 billion, with additional projects to be announced later.

Commenting on the launch of the Doha Investment platform, economist Dr. Abdullah Al Khater said the timing and significance of the announcement reflect the scale and value of this initiative at this stage, particularly Qatar's extensive experience in development and investments both domestically and internationally, adding that the decision to launch the Doha Investment platform was carefully timed, coinciding with the maturity of the local and regional economy and taking into account geopolitical developments in the region.

Dr. Al Khater said the launch also sends an important message in the country which clearly demonstrates the State's commitment to supporting economic growth and injecting new investments into the economy.

In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), Dr. Al Khater added that this timing is intended to boost domestic economic activity, attract local investors, and reassure the domestic market regarding the State’s economic positioning, sending a clear signal that the current volatile geopolitical phase is merely a temporary situation; Qatar’s vision, the continuity of projects, and the State’s sustained support and high-level presence serve to reassure investors, both local and international, as well as the business sector.

He described the Doha Investment platform as a proactive move to mitigate potential risks should the Strait of Hormuz crisis persist, indicating that such an initiative would enable sustained economic growth and preserve balanced economic indicators, thereby avoiding a downturn that might be difficult to rectify later.

Dr. Al Khater said that the state clearly attaches strategic importance to this initiative, proven by the timing and location of its announcement, coinciding with the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, a global hub for finance.

This sends a clear message to global elites and decision-makers that Qatar remains committed to its vision and economic development, and demonstrates Qatar's ability to endure and adapt to shifts in the global and regional order amidst these changing dynamics.

It also sends a message that this regional emergency will not affect the country’s development trajectory. Rather, it will lead to greater support and a stronger focus from the state through established mechanisms such as public-private partnerships, investment, greater openness to domestic investment portfolios, and a stronger presence in the local market.

This, in turn, will stimulate various sectors within the country, attracting foreign investors and capital while also encouraging greater investment from domestic sources, he said.

Dr. Al Khater further emphasized that this platform and these projects align with QNV 2030, refinforcing the economy's operational dynamics domestically and internationally, serving as a catalyst for the next phase, and providing a valuable opportunity to apply the expertise and best practices gained by the sovereign wealth fund through its overseas investments. This highlights the business sector's vital role in economic security, he said, noting that this experience has transformed Qatar from a market participant into an active investor engaging with global markets. 

Dr. Abdullah Al Khater expects the focus of the Doha Investment platform to be on the targeted sectors outlined in Qatar National Vision 2030. This would involve supporting specific sectors such as hospitality, services, and logistics, as well as developing the technology sector in line with global economic trends in robotics, AI, electric vehicles, drones, and alternative energy. He also pointed to other active sectors, such as hospitality and construction, given their links to most other sectors and the possibility that they may be more attractive to foreign investors, which could give them greater weight when investments are allocated.

He explained that all these factors will be taken into consideration by decision-makers as they determine the course of action they deem supportive of the economy, based on the studies and data available to them.

Regarding indicators of the platform’s success, Dr. Abdullah Al Khater identified several key factors, such as the scale of investment and their readiness; the existence of a clear timetable for implementation; and a defined schedule for establishing the standards and criteria for tenders, issuing them, and awarding contracts. Other important indicators include the readiness of financial institutions to fund such projects, the projects’ ability to attract both domestic and foreign capital, and the number, quality, and competitiveness of the companies that will be established. He also highlighted the extent to which local companies will be involved and provided with the financing, expertise, and capabilities they need as another indicator.

Dr. Al Khater also pointed to the strong interest demonstrated by HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani toward the platform, saying this reflects the attention it is receiving at the highest levels of authority and the state’s direction toward supporting economic growth. He stressed that what has been witnessed so far provides a high level of confidence.

For his part, the economic expert Dr. Hashem Al Sayed told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that what is particularly noteworthy is the timing of the announcement, as the global economy is undergoing rapid changes and mounting challenges. The message, therefore, is that short-term volatility should not bring long-term planning and investment to a halt. The scale of the announced opportunities also gives international investors a clearer picture of the size of the market and the opportunities ahead.

After a period of investing in infrastructure, institutions, and companies, the focus is now on leveraging these assets and converting them into greater economic value, while giving the private sector a larger role, Al Sayed said.

Dr. Hashem Al Sayed added that what is particularly noteworthy is the timing of the announcement, as the global economy is undergoing rapid changes and mounting challenges. The message, therefore, is that short-term volatility should not bring long-term planning and investment to a halt. The scale of the announced opportunities also gives international investors a clearer picture of the size of the market and the opportunities ahead.

Regarding the incentives and measures Qatar is counting on to attract foreign investors to long-term partnerships, the economic expert explained that the issue is not simply about offering financial incentives, but about building an ecosystem that enables investors to enter the market, expand, and remain active over the long term.

He said key elements of this ecosystem include facilitating access to investment opportunities, supporting public-private partnerships, developing capital markets, providing integrated infrastructure, and creating a business and investment-friendly regulatory environment.

For international investors, what matters most is clarity of the opportunities, stability of the operating environment, and the potential to expand beyond the Qatari market. Qatar is therefore not simply looking for capital; it is seeking partners who can bring technology and expertise, as well as access to global markets. This is fully aligned with the stated objective of the ‘Doha Investment’ platform, he explained.

Regarding the allocation of approximately $38.5 billion to infrastructure and public-private partnerships, and the key sectors expected to benefit from the platform, Dr. Hashem Al Sayed stressed the importance of distinguishing between the $38.5 billion earmarked for infrastructure projects and the $22.5 billion expected to come from real estate and hospitality investments, including the Simaisma project. These represent two parallel investment tracks within the opportunities exceeding $60 billion.

He added that the key sectors expected to benefit include transport, logistics, and utilities, as well as financial services, telecommunications, industry, urban development, real estate, tourism, and trade. He emphasized that these offerings focus on strengthening public-private partnerships, thereby broadening the base of economic activity and supporting the growth of national companies.

Regarding how technology can support the future vision for Qatar’s economy alongside the traditional energy sector, Dr. Al Sayed said that technology should not be viewed merely as an additional sector. It can serve as a tool for transforming traditional sectors themselves. Qatar has a strong foundation in energy, but the new vision is to leverage that strength to build a more diversified economy in which technology, innovation, and advanced services play a greater role in growth.

In this context, technology will be important across several areas, including artificial intelligence, digital transformation, financial technology, advanced healthcare services, smart logistics, advanced manufacturing, and the development of technologies that improve the efficiency of energy production and use.

An international technology partner can also bring much more than financing, such as technical expertise, intellectual property, specialized talent, and channels for accessing markets beyond Qatar. (QNA)