Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), estimated to be worth USD 256bn in assets as on June 2015, by the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute (SWFI), had divested at least three stakes in recent months, the last of which was the October sale of USD 2.5bn shares in the UK-based BG Group. While the reasons for these divestments were not disclosed, it is believed to be linked to the state spending on mega-infrastructure works. More asset liquidations are likely to follow from the QIA's reported paper loss of USD 12bn on equity stakes in Glencore, Agricultural Bank of China and Volkswagen, according to the Financial Times.
Qatar is one of the world’s largest consumers of water and electricity per capita and its use is increasing as its population increases. In 2014, the amount of electricity generated in Qatar jumped 11.6 percent to 38,693 gigawatt hours (GWh) . Roughly that is the amount of energy that can power 3.4 million homes for a year. Qatar has taken its 1st step in reforming energy consumption in the country with tariff hikes in Kharamaa.
Qatar has been pushing for the growth of SMEs as part of its Qatar National Vision plan 2030. SMEs have the capacity to provide jobs, encourage innovation and diversification in an economy, bolstering the private sector and fostering entrepreneurialism.Qatar Development Bank (QDB), guarantees up to 85 percent of commercial loans, limited to QR15 million ($4.1 million), for SME projects, under its Al Dhameen program.
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