Qatar Wealth Fund to Merge Domestic Fiber Network with Cable Business

The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA)
The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA)
TT

Qatar Wealth Fund to Merge Domestic Fiber Network with Cable Business

The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA)
The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA)

Qatar's sovereign wealth fund said on Wednesday it plans to merge the telecommunications businesses of Qatar National Broadband Network (QNBN) and Gulf Bridge International (GBI), to build a national leader.
The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) is seeking to combine QNBN’s domestic fiber network with GBI’s international submarine and terrestrial cables, which it said would create a digital and AI infrastructure leader.
QIA plans to position Qatar "as a leading digital hub both regionally and globally and connect Qatar to the world," chief executive Mansoor Ebrahim Al-Mahmoud said in the statement.

"Our long-term vision is to create a digital infrastructure champion, unlocking new opportunities,” the chairman of QNBN and GBI was quoted as saying.



Türkiye Receives Waiver for Gas Payments to Russia from Gazprombank Sanctions

A view shows a board with the logo of Gazprombank at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 5, 2024. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo
A view shows a board with the logo of Gazprombank at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 5, 2024. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo
TT

Türkiye Receives Waiver for Gas Payments to Russia from Gazprombank Sanctions

A view shows a board with the logo of Gazprombank at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 5, 2024. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo
A view shows a board with the logo of Gazprombank at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 5, 2024. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo

Türkiye has received an exemption for gas payments to Russia after the United States imposed sanctions on Gazprombank, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar revealed in response to a question from Reuters.

The US imposed new sanctions on Russia's Gazprombank in November, creating an obstacle for buyers of Russian gas, which had been using the bank to make payments. They have since been seeking clarification and exploring other ways to pay.

Türkiye imports almost all its gas requirement and Russia is the top supplier, providing more than 50% of the country's pipeline imports.

Ankara's pipeline gas imports from Russia stood at 21.1 bcm last year.

Türkiye had requested an exemption in discussions with US officials so that it can continue paying for Russian natural gas imports via Gazprombank.

The US on Thursday also granted a waiver to Hungary, which mainly relies on Russian oil and gas.