Atar The company is reportedly reviewing its investments in London after its advertising was banned from the capital’s bus, taxi and subway network.
In 2019, Sadiq Khan called on Transport for London (TfL) to review how it treats ad slots from countries with poor human rights records.
This resulted in a ban on all new advertising from countries such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Iran and Nigeria that year.
TfL According to the Financial Times, it has banned all advertising from Qatar following international backlash for its treatment of migrant workers and its stance on LGBT+ rights.
The move to remove all advertising from Qatar came after England and other European teams were barred from wearing armbands at the World Cup to support the LGBT+ community. rice field.
Following TfL’s decision, the state is now “considering current and future investments” in London and is “considering investment opportunities in other cities in the UK and in our own country,” it said. an official told the paper.
The source added that the TfL ban was “interpreted as a message from the mayor’s office that Qatari businesses are not welcome in London.”
The Gulf has become one of the largest investors in London through its Sovereign Wealth Fund.
It is believed to be the 10th largest landowner in the UK, according to MSCI Real Assets analysts.
Their portfolio includes Knightsbridge department store Harrods and skyscraper The Shard. The sovereign fund also holds his 20% stake in Heathrow Airport, worth around £1.3bn.
The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) owns nearly 15% of Sainsbury (£730m) and also holds shares in Severnwater and Shell. He owns 7% of the London Stock Exchange, Chelsea Barracks, Savoy Hotel and Grosvenor House Hotel.
Qatari officials involved in the review accused the TfL of being a “blatant double standard” and a “virtue signal”.
A Khan spokesperson said the mayor is not involved in day-to-day decisions regarding advertising on the city’s transportation network.
A TfL spokesperson said it has provided “further guidance to our advertising partners and brands” on acceptable advertising during the World Cup.
Qatar’s media office and the QIA declined to comment.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/qatar-london-advert-ban-transport-for-london-sadiq-khan-world-cup-england-lgbt-armband-b1042814.html Qatar ‘reviewing investments in London’ after TfL bans ads, reports
