Qatar Holding makes major investment in Porsche, VW

Qatar Holding LLC announced August 14 that it has reached a final agreement with Porsche Automobil Holding SE and the family shareholders of Porsche on Qatar Holding's investment in Volkswagen AG, Porsche and the integrated car manufacturing group which is expected to result from the combination of VW and Porsche.

Under the agreement, Qatar Holding will acquire from PSE cash settled options on Volkswagen shares. Following the closing of the transaction and after having received all regulatory approvals, Qatar Holding is subsequently planning to acquire 17 percent of Volkswagen ordinary shares thus becoming the third largest shareholder alongside PSE and Lower Saxony. Qatar Holding will also acquire a 10 percent shareholding in PSE common shares from the Porsche and Piech families and provide PSE with financing by contributing to PSE's existing syndicated loan facility. Qatar Holding's overall investment commitment across all components is in excess of EUR7 billion.

Porsche will establish research and development and testing facilities in Doha. In addition, Porsche and Qatar Holding have agreed to explore other areas of co-operation in the fields of research and development, technical service and support in the State of Qatar.

Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani, prime minister and minister of foreign affairs of Qatar, stated: "We are pleased to announce today a major investment in one of the largest automotive groups in the world and one of the largest industrial groups in Europe. This transaction is consistent with the vision of His Highness the Emir to invest in world-class global companies that benefit the State of Qatar by diversifying our national economy and producing strong and stable long-term financial returns. Porsche and Volkswagen are great additions to our investment portfolio. They will also bring additional benefits to the State of Qatar in research and development, technology and training."

Dr. Hussain Al-Abdulla, vice chairman of Qatar Holding, stated: "Qatar will continue diversifying its global investment portfolio and today's agreement marks another significant step in that process. This is a signature investment for Qatar Holding and represents our first diversification into industrial manufacturing. We are delighted to be investing in what will be a giant in the global automotive industry and believe that this agreement represents a good outcome for all the parties involved."

The Porsche and Piech families, Porsche, as well as Volkswagen and Lower Saxony have welcomed Qatar Holding as a new long-term strategic investor. The announcement is a further advancement in the discussions between PSE and VW to create an integrated car manufacturing group.

Ahmad Al-Sayed, CEO of Qatar Holding, said: "We are delighted to partner with Porsche and Piech families, the State of Lower Saxony, the managements of Porsche and Volkswagen, and to invest in Volkswagen and Porsche - two of the world's most respected automotive companies. As a long-term strategic investor, we believe that the combination of Porsche and VW represents a unique investment opportunity for Qatar Holding and we are pleased to play an integral role in bringing these two great companies together. We look forward to making a contribution to the success of the combined group and to explore new avenues of cooperation within the State of Qatar in automotive research and related technologies."