CEO of sovereign fund outlines investment strategy at Carnegie Mellon

Qatar Investment Authority’s H.E. Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Saud Al-Thani emphasizes diversity

DOHA, QATAR – His Excellency Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Saud Al-Thani, chief executive officer of Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), shared his experiences building Qatar’s global portfolio in a lecture at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q).

Sheikh Abdulla outlined the evolution of the Qatar Investment Authority strategy, which included focusing on stability and consolidation over rapid growth and aligning investment plans with the Qatar National Vision 2030. He noted that the QIA’s mandate since its establishment in 2005 has been to secure the future of Qatar’s economy and society through diverse strategic investments. While its tactics have adapted, that long-term goal remains the same.

“Our mission at QIA is to preserve and enhance the value of the funds that the State has entrusted to us. These funds will be available to the future generations to invest where they see opportunities to give Qatar a sustainable economy and affluent society,” he said.

Michael Trick, who was appointed dean of CMU-Q on September 1, commented that Sheikh Abdulla’s lecture continues a long tradition at the university: “Over the years, the Dean’s Lecture Series has featured some of the most influential thinkers in Qatar, speakers who share new ideas and stimulate thought and debate,” Trick said. “These leaders of government, academia and industry have used the Dean’s Lecture Series as a forum to share their insights with our academic community, and with everyone in Qatar.”

Sheikh Abdulla spoke to an overflow audience of dignitaries, business leaders, faculty members and students from across Education City. He offered the students an insight into the strategy of the QIA: “Investing is actually an old profession. When investing, we benefit from several hundred years of human experience by investing in companies and startups,” he said. “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Diversify by investing in all regions. Diversify by investing in all sectors. Diversify by investing in asset classes.”