*Qatar has already invested in excess of £40bn in the UK; QIA has invested more than £5bn during the Brexit, points out William Russell
The Lord Mayor of the City of London, William Russell is confident that Qatar will continue to invest in the UK, where the country has already invested in excess of £40bn.
“We are very excited about the relationship Qatar has with the UK. We are very grateful for the support and friendship we have with Qatar. Qatar investment Authority (QIA) has invested more than £5bn during the Brexit. I am pleased to hear that investments will continue going forward as we have already left the EU,” Russell said at a media roundtable at the Ritz-Carlton Wednesday.
“I am here in Qatar to reiterate the strength of the relationship we have with Qatar. During my discussions with Qatar’s leadership, we have focused on bilateral trade and investments. I understand more than 700 British companies are based here in Doha. Hopefully, when my successor comes here after a year, I hope it will be around 1,000.”
In relation to future Qatari investments in the UK, he said, “There is no specific pledge as such. They (Qatar) have not said what the investments would be. But I am confident Qatar will continue to invest in the UK.
“We are the fintech centre of the world. Our regulator has done a great job making it happen. With Qatar planning to launch its fintech strategy in the coming months, I am sure your country will be looking at very strong regulations in the world. It is going to be very exciting for Doha to become the major fintech centre in the region. We look forward for the opportunity to help Qatar in the process. There are opportunities for collaboration, especially in fintech and green finance.
Russell said he was “quite impressed” by the infrastructure Qatar created to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022.
“I have seen some of the stadiums here. They are very exciting. You are going to be on the world stage with FIFA World Cup 2022. With billions of people around the world watching it on TV and millions who are coming here, I think it is going to be a huge moment in Qatar’s history. And the world is going to see what a wonderful country you are.”
He said there are some 30 British companies here who are looking to do business around the World Cup “and that is something Britain is excited about.”
The Lord Mayor said during his discussions in Doha and in Kuwait (where he was prior to reaching Qatar) he could sense the investor confidence in the UK with a stable government in office.
“The opportunity is still a very positive one (in the UK)”, Russell stressed.
“We are very excited about the relationship Qatar has with the UK. We are very grateful for the support and friendship we have with Qatar. Qatar investment Authority (QIA) has invested more than £5bn during the Brexit. I am pleased to hear that investments will continue going forward as we have already left the EU,” Russell said at a media roundtable at the Ritz-Carlton Wednesday.
“I am here in Qatar to reiterate the strength of the relationship we have with Qatar. During my discussions with Qatar’s leadership, we have focused on bilateral trade and investments. I understand more than 700 British companies are based here in Doha. Hopefully, when my successor comes here after a year, I hope it will be around 1,000.”
In relation to future Qatari investments in the UK, he said, “There is no specific pledge as such. They (Qatar) have not said what the investments would be. But I am confident Qatar will continue to invest in the UK.
“We are the fintech centre of the world. Our regulator has done a great job making it happen. With Qatar planning to launch its fintech strategy in the coming months, I am sure your country will be looking at very strong regulations in the world. It is going to be very exciting for Doha to become the major fintech centre in the region. We look forward for the opportunity to help Qatar in the process. There are opportunities for collaboration, especially in fintech and green finance.
Russell said he was “quite impressed” by the infrastructure Qatar created to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022.
“I have seen some of the stadiums here. They are very exciting. You are going to be on the world stage with FIFA World Cup 2022. With billions of people around the world watching it on TV and millions who are coming here, I think it is going to be a huge moment in Qatar’s history. And the world is going to see what a wonderful country you are.”
He said there are some 30 British companies here who are looking to do business around the World Cup “and that is something Britain is excited about.”
The Lord Mayor said during his discussions in Doha and in Kuwait (where he was prior to reaching Qatar) he could sense the investor confidence in the UK with a stable government in office.
“The opportunity is still a very positive one (in the UK)”, Russell stressed.