Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and Franklin Templeton announced the launch of the Franklin Templeton Qatar Equity Fund (the Fund). Franklin Templeton is one of the world's largest asset managers, with approximately USD 1.68 trillion in assets under management as of December 31, 2025.
QIA said in a press release today that the Franklin Templeton Qatar Equity Fund is designed as a day-traded mutual fund with an initial capital of USD 200 million.
Its primary objective is to enable investors to benefit from the returns of equities listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE), providing local and international institutions with the opportunity to own an actively managed equity portfolio within the Qatari market.
QIA is the lead investor in the fund, contributing both cash and shares. This initiative reflects the QIA's commitment to investing in the Qatari stock market, and the reallocation of shares in companies listed on the QSE demonstrates its dedication to supporting the local economic landscape and enhancing market liquidity.
CEO of the QIA, Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, said that with the launch of the Franklin Templeton Qatar Equity Fund, the QIA is continuing to expand its active asset management initiative in support of Qatar's financial markets.
He noted that Franklin Templeton, as one of the world's leading asset management firms, will bring its extensive experience and substantial resources to support the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) and the broader Qatari economy. He added that the QIA looks forward to a productive collaboration with the firm on this initiative.
For her part, CEO of Franklin Templeton, Jenny Johnson said that the launch of the fund represents an important milestone in the company's commitment to Qatar and its financial markets.
She explained that the move builds on more than 25 years of investment experience in the Middle East, backed by on-the-ground portfolio management and research teams. She added that through the partnership with the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), Franklin Templeton aims to play an active role in advancing Qatar's financial ecosystem.
Johnson described the collaboration as the start of a long-term strategic partnership and part of a broader, multi-asset-class cooperation between Franklin Templeton and the QIA.
The Franklin Templeton Qatar Equity Fund is a significant step forward in the QIA's active asset management initiative and highlights the role of the partnership between the QIA and Franklin Templeton in supporting Qatar's capital markets by leveraging their global investment expertise.