Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), is planning to ramp up U.S. investments in key sectors, its CEO recently said. The fund has already announced plans to invest $500 billion in the U.S. over the next decade during President Donald Trump’s Gulf tour last week, which included a stop in Doha.
During his visit, Trump signed agreements with Qatar that would generate an economic exchange worth at least $1.2 trillion, and included a $96 billion sale to Qatar Airways. However, the White House statement did not provide a comprehensive breakdown of the investments.
QIA to focus investments on AI and logistics
Speaking during a panel session at the Qatar Economic Forum 2025, QIA’s CEO Mohammed Saif Al Sowaidi said that the decision to invest $500 billion reflects an intention to ramp up investment activity in the U.S. compared to previous years.
He stressed that the U.S. remains a prime destination for Qatari investments, as it represents 60 percent of available trading markets, making it a logical and strategic focus for the fund. Al Sowaidi also expressed confidence in the strength of U.S. institutions and their growth prospects, noting that the authority’s continued presence in the country was a “natural step forward while also being a significant expansion”.
Regarding QIA’s focus areas within the U.S., he said the authority is looking at digitalization and high-value sectors, saying that artificial intelligence stands at the forefront of this shift. He added that technology is becoming a central force across industries and that investing in digital innovation and AI is timely, given its rising impact on real economic growth.
He also highlighted QIA’s interest in supply chains and U.S. industrial sectors, as the country is undergoing a significant restructuring of its manufacturing and logistics systems. Al Sowaidi noted that this restructuring could include supply chains, trade, logistics, ports and potentially increased domestic manufacturing.
QIA considers allocation shift
He also confirmed the QIA’s interest in asset and portfolio management. When asked whether the authority is seeking to reduce exposure to any asset classes, Al Sowaidi said that they are tactically reviewing how much capital should be allocated to fixed income, considering it a conservative asset class.
He added that QIA is also rethinking exposure to traditional asset classes, including infrastructure and real estate, and whether adjustments are needed, whether by increasing or trimming allocations.
Al Sowaidi affirmed that the fund’s performance remains strong, and he expects it to improve further due to internal enhancements. He also highlighted that the fund was working on boosting performance by focusing on specialized areas, refining its asset allocation policies.
Fund’s approach to become more precise and focused
Al Sowaidi affirmed that the authority’s long-term vision focuses on building and growing the fund’s net value to ultimately benefit the nation and future generations, describing that as a noble goal. He noted that it was reasonable to regularly assess performance and explore ways to improve, especially in highly complex and ever-changing markets, expressing his belief that QIA has built a very strong investment fund.
Al Sowaidi also emphasized the authority’s commitment to developing internal human capital, explaining that QIA is focused on having top-tier talent, supported by robust strategies and the agility needed to outperform in challenging global markets.
He added that, as the fund continues to grow in size, it will naturally take longer to capitalize on long-term bets and themes and take advantage of liquidity premiums. While the CEO does not anticipate a dramatic shift in strategy, he expects the approach to become more precise and focused, aiming to fully leverage the scale of the fund while embracing long-term thinking.
