Mr. Mohammed Saif Saeed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Qatar Investment Authority, confirmed that the authority was established with the aim of preserving the country’s wealth and developing it for future generations, allowing it to work according to a long-term vision, away from fluctuations and short-term considerations.
This came during his participation in a dialogue session within the “Global Perspectives: In Doha” event, organized by CNN in cooperation with Qatar Media City, as the host partner, for the first time in the Middle East and Gulf region.
The CEO of the Qatar Investment Authority added that the nature of the Authority as a long-term investor gives it an important advantage in building partnerships with companies and investment institutions, as it provides stable and patient capital, and contributes to supporting the companies in which it invests to develop their businesses and achieve sustainable growth.
He pointed out that one of his most prominent goals when assuming the position was to prepare the corporation for the next phase of LNG production expansion in Qatar, and the significant growth in revenues expected to accompany it.
He explained that the challenge is how to absorb these revenues and employ them efficiently through diverse investments capable of achieving sustainable returns, while maintaining the flexibility necessary to deal with economic and geopolitical variables.
He added that the agency follows a systematic approach in managing the relationship between the state’s financial policy and investment policy, while maintaining safety margins and appropriate reserves that ensure the ability to fulfill future obligations, including meeting the needs of current generations when necessary, without prejudice to the goal of preserving wealth for future generations.
On the other hand, the CEO of the Qatar Investment Authority stressed that the United States of America represents one of the agency’s most important investment destinations, in light of the size of its economy, the depth of its financial markets, and its leadership in the field of innovation, indicating that the agency focuses on building long-term investments, enhancing its technical and investment capabilities, and preparing for the expected expansion in the revenues of the State of Qatar with the increase in liquefied natural gas production.
Commenting on the announced investment commitment of $500 billion in the United States over the next ten years, the CEO indicated that this trend is linked to the size of the American market and its position in the global economy, as well as the expansion of investment opportunities in public and private stocks, private credit, technology, and innovation.
He explained that the United States represents about a quarter of the global gross domestic product, and holds a large share of investable financial markets, making it a major destination in the agency’s strategy aimed at expanding the scope of its investments and increasing the efficiency of capital employment.
He stressed that the agency is working to strengthen its presence in the United States, including expanding its office team in New York, with the aim of increasing the number of its employees to between 40 or 45 employees during the next two years.
He added that the continuation of this trend is linked to the presence of an attractive investment environment, explaining that any policies that restrict innovation or investment or impose additional restrictions on foreign investors may require adjustments to the investment strategy.
Regarding artificial intelligence and technology investments, the CEO stressed that the agency adopts a selective approach that focuses on companies that have clear business models and the actual ability to generate revenues and increase productivity in the medium and long term.
He stressed the importance of distinguishing between real economic value and exaggerated expectations that may accompany new technologies, pointing out that investment in this field requires a deep understanding of the future, an accurate assessment of risks, and the ability to identify companies that can transform innovation into sustainable economic activity.
Mr. Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Qatar Investment Authority, added that the demand for computing capabilities is expected to remain strong in the coming years, driven by the needs of major technology companies, warning at the same time of the possibility of some emerging companies being exposed to competitive pressures, especially in light of the large companies possessing broader financial and technical resources.
He stressed that the agency focuses on the quality of investments and actual economic feasibility, while being aware of the potential for market disturbances, including the impact of interest rate levels on financing and private credit.
The CEO touched on the device’s investments in advanced technology companies, including Anthropic, a company specializing in artificial intelligence, explaining that investment in it is based on a belief in its capabilities in developing new software solutions to serve institutions and companies.
He explained that the value of these investments is not limited to financial returns, but extends to enhancing technical knowledge, providing opportunities to communicate with leaders, experts and scientists, and understanding future trends in the economy and technology.
On the other hand, the CEO of the Qatar Investment Authority pointed out the agency’s participation in an investment alliance in the media sector, in light of the transformations witnessed in content consumption patterns among new generations, and the increasing competition from social media platforms.
He explained that the media sector needs to adapt to these changes and develop methods of presenting content to suit the needs of the audience, stressing that the agency views these investments from a long-term perspective, while relying on the ability of executive leadership to implement the required transformations.
The CEO added that developing institutional capabilities represents a key priority for the agency, noting that strengthening technical expertise and forming specialized teams can add significant value to investee companies, even when the agency’s share in some of these companies is limited.
He stressed that the agency spent the past period studying long-term investment trends and identifying sectors through which it can achieve distinguished performance compared to the markets, while benefiting from the diversity of its investment portfolio and the multiplicity of asset classes and strategies.
Regarding the future of the agency, he explained that success is not only measured by financial returns, but also by the ability to support companies in the stages of transformation and innovation, build strong leadership within the institution, and develop the expertise necessary to understand markets and the global economy.
The CEO of the Qatar Investment Authority concluded by emphasizing the importance of building trust with international partners, noting that the presence of the authority’s offices in major financial centers, such as New York and Singapore, contributes to enhancing communication and reducing the gaps between investors and companies.
He added that the Qatar Investment Authority is keen to combine long-term partnerships with strict scrutiny of the legal and negotiating aspects, stressing that building trust represents an essential element in establishing successful partnerships and achieving sustainable investment opportunities.