DOHA: The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) has notified the U.S. of its plans to invest $10 billion in U.S. infrastructure programs, according to Reuters.
The announcement follows on the heels of the wealth fund’s previous statements that it would finance $35 billion worth of projects in the U.S. between 2016 and 2021. QIA officials did not say whether the $10 billion is part of that figure.
The investment also could have political implications, as some Arab states are wary of a potential shift in the Middle East balance of power toward Iran if the U.S. begins a withdrawal from the region under a Trump administration, according to Reuters. The $10 billion is seen by some as a way for Qatar to strengthen its relationship with the U.S. and to help maintain a U.S. presence in the Gulf.
