Qatar Sovereign Fund Plans to Expand Activities in Asia

The Qatari flag is seen at a park near Doha Corniche, in Doha, Qatar February 17, 2018. (Reuters)
The Qatari flag is seen at a park near Doha Corniche, in Doha, Qatar February 17, 2018. (Reuters)
TT
20

Qatar Sovereign Fund Plans to Expand Activities in Asia

The Qatari flag is seen at a park near Doha Corniche, in Doha, Qatar February 17, 2018. (Reuters)
The Qatari flag is seen at a park near Doha Corniche, in Doha, Qatar February 17, 2018. (Reuters)

Head of Asia-Pacific Advisory at the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) Abdullah Al-Kuwari announced that the country's sovereign wealth fund is currently expanding its operations in Australia, South Korea, and Southeast Asia, according to a report by Reuters.

Speaking at the Milken Institute Asia Summit in Singapore, Al-Kuwari said QIA is identifying investment opportunities, including corporate spin-offs and acquisition deals in Japan, along with prospects in the technology sector in India.

The Qatar Investment Authority, one of the largest investors globally, manages assets estimated at $526 billion, as reported by the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute.

Al-Kuwari indicated that the fund plans to increase its workforce in Australia and South Korea and has already started building its team in Japan, with plans to further expand. He emphasized Japan as a key market for QIA’s future focus.

The fund’s expansion in Asia, where it already holds stakes in the London Stock Exchange and Spain’s Iberdrola, aligns with its strategy to diversify investments beyond its traditional European and American markets.

In June, Reuters reported that QIA had agreed to acquire a 10% stake in China Asset Management, the second-largest mutual fund company in China.



Gold Holds Ground as Jobs Data offsets Safe-haven Demand

A participant shows gold bars during the 21st edition of the international gold and jewelry exhibition at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Kuwait City on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Yasser AL ZAYYAT / AFP)
A participant shows gold bars during the 21st edition of the international gold and jewelry exhibition at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Kuwait City on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Yasser AL ZAYYAT / AFP)
TT
20

Gold Holds Ground as Jobs Data offsets Safe-haven Demand

A participant shows gold bars during the 21st edition of the international gold and jewelry exhibition at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Kuwait City on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Yasser AL ZAYYAT / AFP)
A participant shows gold bars during the 21st edition of the international gold and jewelry exhibition at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Kuwait City on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Yasser AL ZAYYAT / AFP)

Gold prices held steady on Wednesday as stronger US jobs data countered safe-haven demand driven by simmering trade tensions between the US and China.

Spot gold was steady at $3,349.19 an ounce, as of 1145 GMT. US gold futures were unchanged at $3,373.10.

"US labor data gave markets a bit of relief yesterday, causing a small dip in gold prices. However, tensions between the US and China are still keeping risks high and gold prices supported," said Zain Vawda, market analyst at MarketPulse by OANDA.

Job openings in the US rose in April, though layoffs surged to their highest level in nine months, economic data showed, hinting at softening labor market conditions, Reuters reported.

Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Chinese President Xi Jinping is tough and "extremely hard to make a deal with," days after the US President accused China of violating an agreement to roll back tariffs and trade restrictions.

Washington doubled its tariffs on steel and aluminium imports on Wednesday, the same day the Trump administration expects trading partners to make "best offers" to avoid other punishing import levies from taking effect in early July.

The focus will be on Friday's US non-farm payrolls data for more cues on the Federal Reserve's policy path. Federal Reserve's policy path. Fed officials have reiterated their cautious policy stance, citing risks from trade tensions and economic uncertainty.

"If the data is stronger than expected, interest rate cut expectations are likely to wane, which would weigh on the gold price," said Commerzbank analyst Carsten Fritsch.

"We see gold trading in a range between $3,300 and $3,400 per troy ounce in the short term."

Gold, a safe-haven asset during times of political and economic uncertainty, tends to thrive in a low-interest-rate environment.

Elsewhere, spot silver fell 0.5% to $34.32 an ounce, platinum rose 1.1% to $1,085.50 and palladium lost 0.5% to $1,005.11.