MOSCOW (Reuters) – VTB <VTBR.MM>, Russia’s second biggest lender, is ready to provide a loan to Qatar to buy out a stake in Russian state energy company Rosneft <ROSN.MM> if needed, the bank’s chief executive Andrey Kostin told reporters on Monday. “We are always ready to loan, it’s our work,” Kostin said when asked whether the bank would be ready to provide funds to Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), the country’s sovereign investment fund, for the deal. QIA is taking a stake in Rosneft of nearly 19 percent, after a deal to sell a 14.16 percent stake to China’s CEFC fell through. QIA would control a stake of 18.93 percent and Glencore <GLEN.L> would hold some 0.57 percent. (Reporting by Denis Pinchuk; Writing by Katya Golubkova; Editing by Polina Ivanova) … [Read more...] about Russia’s VTB ready to loan Qatar to buy out stake in Rosneft if needed
Qatar
Ministers urged to demand answers from Qatar over its alleged support for terrorism
Ministers have been urged to demand answers from Qatar over its alleged support for terrorism. Zac Goldsmith, the Conservative MP, highlighted a series of "inconsistencies" and "worrying questions" raised by the Gulf state's response to disclosures that its prime minister was guest of honour at an event hosted by 'one of the world's most prolific terror financiers'. In a letter to Alistair Burt, the Middle East minister, Mr Goldsmith warned: "We cannot afford to turn a blind eye to Qatar’s behaviour." Mr Goldsmith's intervention comes after this newspaper reported last month how Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa, the Qatari premier, was photographed alongside Abdulrahman al-Nuaimi, weeks after... To continue reading this article Start your free trial of Premium Access all Premium articles Subscriber-only events Cancel any time Free for 30 days then only £2 per week Try Premium Access one Premium article per week … [Read more...] about Ministers urged to demand answers from Qatar over its alleged support for terrorism
Soccer-Japan, Qatar get invites to 2019 Copa America in Brazil
SAO PAULO (Reuters) – The 2019 Copa America in Brazil will feature 10 teams from South America plus invited guests Japan and Qatar, the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) said on Friday. Several nations have had special invitations since 1993, including Japan who played at the 1999 tournament in Paraguay. The guests usually come the neighbouring North and Central America and the Caribbean confederation so the inclusion of Qatar, the Gulf nation hosting the 2022 World Cup, is new. CONMEBOL said the presence of the two non-Latin nations is due to the “great interest of the Asian Football Confederation in participating in CONMEBOL tournaments and to the South American Football Confederation’s commitment to developing football around the world.” The Copa America, which started in 1916, is world’s oldest international soccer tournament. Next year’s hosts Brazil have not won the trophy since 2007. (Reporting by Andrew Downie; editing by Ken … [Read more...] about Soccer-Japan, Qatar get invites to 2019 Copa America in Brazil
AS Roma, Qatar Airway multi-year shirt sponsorship worth 40 million euros
MILAN (Reuters) – The multi-year shirt sponsorship agreement between Italy’s AS Roma <ASR.MI> soccer club and Qatar Airways is worth 40 million euros (35 million pounds) for three seasons, a source close to the matter said on Monday. Earlier AS Roma, who face Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday, said it had signed a deal with Qatar Airways, making the airline the team’s official shirt sponsor until 2021. AS Roma had said that it was the largest deal ever signed by the club and one of the biggest ever agreed by an Italian team. (Reporting by Elvira Pollina, writing by Giulia Segreti; editing by Paola Arosio) … [Read more...] about AS Roma, Qatar Airway multi-year shirt sponsorship worth 40 million euros
Roma sign sponsorship deal with Qatar Airways
(Reuters) – AS Roma have agreed a multi-year partnership with Qatar Airways which will make the airline the team’s official shirt sponsor until 2021, the Italian Serie A club said on Monday. Roma, who face Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday, did not provide financial details but said the deal was the largest signed by the club and one of the biggest ever agreed by an Italian side. “We are delighted to announce this historic partnership between AS Roma and Qatar Airways, two great brands with global ambitions,” AS Roma president Jim Pallotta said in s statement. “With a new stadium due to begin construction late this year and the team in the Champions League semi-final for the first time for 34 years, it’s an exciting time to be a Roma fan.” Qatar Airways will be the seventh shirt sponsor in Roma’s 90-year history. Launched in 1997, Qatar Airways bought a 49 percent stake in Italian carrier Meridiana last … [Read more...] about Roma sign sponsorship deal with Qatar Airways