#Russia and #Qatar sign 2 billion euro investment deal | Reuters

Russia and Qatar sign 2 billion euro investment deal | Reuters

Russia and Qatar signed an agreement on Thursday under which each country will pay an extra 1 billion euros ($1.14 billion)into a joint investment fund, a Russian official said.

"This is an agreement to expand our investment platform with Qatar by the amount of about two billion euros, one billion euros from each side. This will allow us to invest more, to attract more Qatari investment money into various projects in Russia," said Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF).

RDIF said in a statement that the deal with the Qatar Investment Authority, the Gulf state's sovereign wealth fund, will focus on investment in technology, healthcare, minerals and other sectors of mutual interest.

The two funds launched a $4 billion joint venture in 2014.

Dmitriev told reporters that Qatar was a major investor in Russian infrastructure, and Russian companies were interested in entering the Middle East market with Qatari partners.

The agreement was signed at a meeting in Moscow between President Vladimir Putin and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

Gulf markets end mixed on tariff concerns | Reuters

Gulf markets end mixed on tariff concerns | Reuters

Stock markets in the Gulf ended mixed on Thursday as uncertainties around U.S. tariff policies and fears of an economic slowdown remained top concerns for investors.

Traders are waiting for signs of progress on negotiations between U.S. President Donald Trump's administration and its trading partners, including the ongoing trade talks with Japan. The direction of any potential discussions with China remains the biggest overhang.

Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI), opens new tab declined 0.7%, hit by a 0.5% fall in Al Rajhi Bank (1120.SE), opens new tab and a 2.1% decline in Saudi Arabian Mining Company (1211.SE), opens new tab.

The market could remain vulnerable to developments related to external factors, especially trade tensions, said George Pavel General Manager at Naga.com Middle East.

"However, the upcoming first-quarter earnings releases could potentially act as a catalyst, influencing market direction and possibly providing support."

Dubai's main share index (.DFMGI), opens new tab reversed early losses to finish 0.2% higher, helped by a 6.8% jump in Parkin Company (PARKIN.DU), opens new tab.

Investors were also digesting comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who warned of the risk of slowing growth and rising prices due to tariffs.

In Abu Dhabi, the index (.FTFADGI), opens new tab concluded flat.

According to Pavel, despite oil prices stabilizing somewhat after their recent decline, they remained at lower levels and provided only limited support to the market.

Oil prices rose to the highest in two weeks amid low liquidity ahead of the Easter holidays after the United States imposed new sanctions to curb Iranian oil exports, elevating supply concerns.

The Qatari index (.QSI), opens new tab dropped 0.6%, with Qatar Islamic Bank (QISB.QA), opens new tab losing 2.8%.

Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30), opens new tab edged 0.1% higher, with Commercial International Bank (COMI.CA), opens new tab rising 0.9%.