Qatar, Philippines Agree To $1 Billion Investment Fund

Qatar Holding LLC reached an agreement this week with the government of the Philippines to bring a $1 billion investment fund to the country's disposal this year. The project finance fund will help the Philippines pay to open up new trade partnerships and start infrastructure and public works projects the country hopes to bring online in the next few years.

Qatar Holding LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), specializes in strategic private and public equity as well as in other direct investments, according to the agency’s Web site. The company signed a memorandum of understanding along with the investment fund deal declaring that the fund would conduct an investigation into possible investment projects across the Philippines.

“There is a provision there which says that parties would explore investment opportunities in the Philippines in various sectors including but not limited to natural resources, commodities, energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and to study the establishment of the fund,” Philippines Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement on the proposed fund last week.

This fund and the subsequent studies stemming from it will likely open up project financing opportunities across the Philippines for companies and individuals looking to diversify portfolios through international financial management. From infrastructure to alternative energy funds across the world, Qatar will soon begin to look for additional funders interested in getting involved in the Philippine economy.

Not all of the projects the fund will tackle will make immediate money. Many of the projects—infrastructure, agriculture—are not expected to turn a profit in the near future. Whether you are an experienced investor or working with a portfolio management firm, there will likely be competition for the more quick-turn investments. But by planning a long-term financial strategy, your financial advisors can show you a path to long-term growth in these foreign markets. Recommendations are expected to change as more news comes out about funding priorities for the Philippines government.

Funding Sources for New Businesses and Project Finance

When there is a new business that is first starting out, there is always the issue of funding and project finance that the person setting out has to answer. Fortunately, there are a number of sources that people can use in order to start up their own business.

One source of funding that is often over looked is that of the federal government. The federal government has made it a point to set aside funds for business ventures and exploration. For every administration, there is the issue of growing jobs and seeing that people have a place of work, so the federal government has funds that are available for project finance. People can apply for the funds in order to start up their business.

Banks are another source of funds for people seeking to start up a business or to fund a project. Banks love to loan money. It is the means by which they earn money and grow. When a person comes in the bank to borrow money, they will often have a plan that they present to the lender. If the lender likes what they see in the presentation, then they will lend the money to the borrower.

Another source of funds that can be used for project finance is that of private lenders. Private lenders are private companies or people who make it a point to lend money to aspiring people. Aspiring people are ones who have a vision and a plan on how to attain their vision. Usually the funds that are loaned out will have to be paid back with interest, but they can be used as the borrower sees fit so their vision can take on a tangible state.

One final source of funds that some people overlook is that of friends and family. Money can be borrowed from just about any source. The only issue with borrowing from individual people is that they usually want their money repaid quickly. Make sure that there is a plan set in place when borrowing from friends and family.