Minister Highlights Qatar’s Fiscal Strength at Milken Global Conference 2026

Minister of Finance HE Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari participated in a high-level fireside chat titled “Firm Foundations in a Fluid World”, held as part of the Milken Institute Global Conference 2026 in Los Angeles, United States of America, where he outlined Qatar’s strong fiscal position and forward-looking economic strategy amid global uncertainty.

The session focused on Qatar’s fiscal resilience in the face of rapid global economic transformation, examining how the State continues to navigate geopolitical volatility while maintaining a disciplined balance between long-term development priorities and short-term economic demands.

Discussions also explored the impact of the global energy transition on economic systems and highlighted how Qatar has strategically leveraged its natural resources and prudent fiscal policies to reinforce stability and sustain long-term growth.

In his remarks, the minister emphasised that Qatar’s substantial and diversified financial buffers have been central to its ability to respond to successive global challenges from a position of strength.

He noted that the country’s three key reserve pillars—the Ministry of Finance’s Stabilisation Fund, the record-high reserves of the Qatar Central Bank, and the highly liquid, globally diversified portfolio of the Qatar Investment Authority—continue to provide a strong foundation for economic resilience. Together, these buffers underpin Qatar’s solid credit profile and contribute to one of the tightest sovereign CDS spreads in the region.

The minister further highlighted that the 2026 budget has been framed with a conservative oil price assumption of $55 per barrel, reflecting Qatar’s long-standing commitment to fiscal prudence. This approach, he noted, ensures continued financial stability and uninterrupted public spending under the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework, even in the event of volatility in global energy markets.

On the investment front, the minister underlined that Qatar continues to advance its global investment strategy despite geopolitical uncertainties, with a growing focus on high-potential sectors including space, artificial intelligence, entertainment, and healthcare. These priorities reflect confidence in long-term global growth trends and diversification opportunities.

While domestic investment—particularly through venture capital funds supporting startups—has increased in recent years, the majority of new investments remain international, with sustained emphasis on opportunities in the United States, especially in the technology and healthcare sectors.

The participation of the minister at the Milken Institute Global Conference 2026 reinforced Qatar’s position as a globally engaged, financially resilient economy with a clear vision for sustainable growth, strategic diversification, and long-term stability in an evolving international landscape.