How Sheikh Hamad transformed Qatar into a global powerhouse

Former Qatar emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani died on Sunday at the age of 74. While he is known for modernizing the pensular country, he was also instrumental for transforming the Gulf nation into a global investment powerhouse during his reign from 1995 to 2013. 

During this time, Qatar used its natural gas wealth to make a series of high-profile international investments through the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), transforming itself into one of the world's most influential investors.

Some of the most notable acquisitions include:

• 2007: Qatar acquired a strategic stake in the London Stock Exchange, eventually becoming one of its largest shareholders.


• 2008: Qatar invested around £7 billion in Barclays, helping the British bank avoid a government bailout during the global financial crisis.


• 2009: Qatar bought a significant stake in Volkswagen AG, becoming one of the German automaker's largest shareholders.


• 2010: Qatar purchased Harrods from Mohamed Al-Fayed for about £1.5 billion, acquiring one of London's most iconic luxury department stores.


• 2010: Qatar became the principal investor in The Shard, London's landmark skyscraper, which officially opened in 2012.


• 2010: Qatar acquired a major stake in Heathrow Airport Holdings (then BAA), later increasing its ownership to around 20%.


• 2010: Qatar increased its stake in J Sainsbury plc, becoming the British supermarket chain's largest shareholder.


• 2011: Qatar Sports Investments acquired Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), laying the foundation for the club's rise as a global football powerhouse.


• 2011: Qatar acquired Miramax, the Hollywood film studio, as part of a consortium with Colony Capital and Ronald Tutor.


• 2012: Qatar, along with Delancey, bought the London Olympic Village, redeveloping it into the East Village residential complex after the 2012 Olympics.


• 2012–2013: Qatar expanded its holdings in global companies including Shell, Total, Siemens, and Credit Suisse, further diversifying its investment portfolio.

These investments reflected Sheikh Hamad's vision of using Qatar's vast natural gas revenues to diversify the economy, build long-term wealth, and strengthen the country's global economic and diplomatic influence.