Amid efforts to diversify its economy beyond hydrocarbons, Qatar is making strategic moves to bolster its domestic market and private sector. The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), the nation’s sovereign wealth fund, is launching a new division named Doha Investment to focus on enhancing local investments. This initiative is a pivotal part of Qatar’s broader economic strategy, aimed at fostering growth in non-hydrocarbon sectors.
The announcement was made by Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani during the Qatar Economic Forum held in New York. The Prime Minister emphasized that Doha Investment’s primary objectives include supporting leading Qatari companies, aiding emerging businesses in their expansion, strengthening capital markets, and attracting international investment and expertise.
Doha Investment is set to manage QIA’s local portfolio, initially overseeing 45 state-owned enterprises. This represents about one-third of the total assets of the sovereign wealth fund. The division’s focus will be on developing national companies, supporting privatization efforts, increasing private-sector participation, and promoting economic diversification beyond the traditional hydrocarbon industries.
Historically, QIA, established in 2005, has concentrated its efforts on international investments. However, in recent years, there has been a notable shift toward expanding its domestic portfolio. This includes investments in sectors such as aviation, banking, telecommunications, real estate, and hospitality.
The importance of these efforts is underscored by Qatar’s non-hydrocarbon economy, which saw a growth of 4.8% in 2025, outpacing the country’s overall real GDP growth of 2.9%. These figures highlight the effectiveness of Qatar’s strategy to diversify its economic landscape and reduce dependency on hydrocarbons.