The Qatar Investment Authority is Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, specializing in domestic and foreign investment. It was founded in 2005 to manage the oil and natural gas surpluses by the Government of Qatar. As a result of its stated strategy to minimize risk from Qatar's reliance on energy prices, the fund predominantly invests in international markets (United States, Europe and Asia-Pacific) and within Qatar outside the energy sector.The QIA wholly controls the Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company (Qatari Diar), which is a property investment fund.QIA is estimated to hold in excess of $60 billion of assets, an amount that will significantly increase by 2011 as the state completes its expansion projects to become the world's largest liquefied natural gas exporter with 77 million tons output capacity.The Qatar economy has been one of the most dynamic, where the GDP has risen from $8 billion in 1995 to an estimated GDP of $173 billion.The chief executive and chairman of the QIA is Sheik Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabr Al Thani.QIA does not publish its holdings to the market. It is not clear if QIA mixes or not personal investments of the royal family members and the funds of the state of the Qatar. Most decisions are made under patronage of Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabr Al Thani although QIA claims to be a professionally managed investment fund. QIA funds do not follow the Islamic Sharia due to their investments in banking and other non permissible assets world wide.atar Investment Authority holds a smaller stake in Fisker Automotive, most likely 10% to 15%.In October 2008 QIA were linked with a takeover of Everton F.C. in a deal worth £200million. The rumours were initially dismissed by Everton only to re-emerge in April 2009.On 8 May 2010, Qatar Holding, an indirect subsidiary of QIA, purchased the Harrods Group from Mohammed Al-Fayed, including the Knightsbridge department store.QIA are also the largest shareholder in Sainsbury's.On 5 December 2010, Qatar Investment Authority was part of the investment group that purchased Miramax Films from The Walt Disney Company.On 18 December 2010, Qatar Holding were rumoured to be prepared to bid up to £1.5 billion for Manchester United F.C.. A Glazer Family spokesperson denied these reports, saying the football club was not for sale.In January 2012 it was rumoured QIA was to acquire English Premier League Club Aston Villa F.C.. The club refused to comment on the speculation fuelling rumours a deal was imminent. QIA have also been linked to acquiring the naming rights of Tottenham Hotspur new stadium when the Northumberland Development Project is completed.In February 2012 it completed the acquisition of Credit Suisse’s headquarters in London.QIA holds a 6% stake in Credit Suisse and owns shares in Songbird, the majority owner of Canary Wharf Group. Qatari Diar, a property arm of the fund, along with Canary Wharf, won a £300mn deal to redevelop the Shell Centre in London that houses the Royal Dutch Shell’s London headquarters.