Tuesday, May 13, 2008 - 18:00
AFP News Briefs ListFrance's Total hints at Qatari stakeholding
French oil major Total is open to the prospect of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) taking a stake in the company, the Gulf Times on Tuesday quoted Total chief Christophe de Margerie as saying.
"Certainly, we will welcome Qatar's fund," was the CEO's response when asked whether the company would offer a stake to Qatar's sovereign wealth fund.
This could be either through a private placement or through the QIA buying shares on the stock market, he said on Monday during the inauguration of a new Total office.
Asked whether the company had been approached, he said there have been no formal talks.
Qatar's deputy premier and energy minister Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah, who inaugurated the new office, indicated that Qatar could pick up a stake in the French oil company.
"We are partners and they (Total) invest in Qatar and we also wish to invest in them," he said.
"Today we are seeing the opportunities and there is always a possibility (of QIA picking up a stake) and we will have to evaluate what is best for us," he added.
Images
Total CEO Christophe de Margerie speaks in April 2008 in Paris. French oil major Total is open to the prospect of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) taking a stake in the company, the Gulf Times on Tuesday quoted de Margerie as saying.
© 2007 AFP Eric Piermont
