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)
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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.



GASTAT: Inflation Rate in Saudi Arabia Reached 1.9% in December

The Saudi capital Riyadh. Reuters
The Saudi capital Riyadh. Reuters
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GASTAT: Inflation Rate in Saudi Arabia Reached 1.9% in December

The Saudi capital Riyadh. Reuters
The Saudi capital Riyadh. Reuters

The annual inflation rate in Saudi Arabia reached 1.9% in December 2024, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).

The Kingdom has the lowest inflation rates among the G20 countries.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) reflects changes in prices paid by consumers for a fixed basket of goods and services consisting of 490 items. This basket was selected based on the results of the household expenditure and income survey conducted in 2018. Prices are collected through on-site visits to sales points.

CPI statistics are published monthly.