Qatar ready to start shopping abroad again | beyondbrics | FT.com

Qatar may be about to head off on another high-profile shopping spree.

As the FT reported this morning, the Qatar Investment Authority has expressed interest in buying part of the US Treasury’s stake in Citi, which was bailed out in 2008 after it lost $50bn during the credit crunch.

If concluded, the deal would signal a return to a steady rhythm of overseas investments for the gas-rich Gulf state, which has made no secret of its desire to invest its abundant energy revenues into global assets as the government seeks to secure wealth for future generations with its roughly $75bn fund.Financial assets have long been at the top of the target list drawn up by the emirate’s powerful prime minister, who directs the strategy behind the QIA and its direct investment arm, Qatar Holding.