Qatari investment companies own the Shard. They own the Olympic Village. And they don’t care if their Lamborghinis get clamped when they shop at Harrods.
The only time the Qataris have excited the curiosity of the British was when two of their royal family's matching turquoise supercars were clamped outside Harrods, which they own
The tiny Gulf state has snapped up a range of famous British assets, which include:
1. Harrods, the upmarket department store formerly owned by Mohamed al-Fayed.
2. The Shard, soon-to-be Europe’s tallest building.
3. No. 1 Hyde Park, the world’s most expensive apartment block.
4. The London Stock Exchange, in which they own a 20 per cent stake.
5. The famous bohemian flea market in Camden, in which they own a 20 per cent stake.
6. The 2012 Olympic Village, once the games are over.
7. Sainsbury’s home stores and supermarket food chain and Barclay’s Bank – major investors.
8. Liquefied Natural Gas: Britain’s biggest supplier, providing 95.5%, used to generate almost 25% of the UK’s electrical power.
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- London’s Shard: a ‘tower of power and riches’ looking down on poverty (guardian.co.uk)
- Qatar Has World in Its Sights for Power Projects (nytimes.com)
- LNG’s looming glut has Qatar sealing Asia deals (business.financialpost.com)
- Pakistan, Qatar sign accord on LNG import (nation.com.pk)
- London Stock Exchange to Buy Stake in Clearinghouse (dealbook.nytimes.com)
- Summits at the summit: the Shard could host talks for world leaders (guardian.co.uk)
- Three years of Shard graft… and we’re nearly there: 1,000ft up, intrepid team puts final touch to London’s amazing glass skyscraper (dailymail.co.uk)
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