The connection between the Qatari royal family and Zurich dates back to before the 2010 FIFA World Cup was awarded at Fifa headquarters. For mass shopping or medical care, Qataris regularly stay in Switzerland’s largest city. The “NZZ” even describes Zurich as the royal family’s second home.
Former Emir of Qatar, Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani (✝84), especially loved Zurich. For years he lived in the city on Limmat and was occasionally treated at the university hospital. He even donated eleven million francs to the Zurich Foundation for Cardiovascular Research in 2015. According to “NZZ”, Zurich educational institutions had previously established a Qatari connection. In 2005, the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich identified Qatar as an important educational partner.
flew away after a broken leg
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (70), son of the former emir, was also treated in Switzerland. He flew to Zurich at midnight to have surgery after breaking his leg while on vacation in Morocco in 2015. The event was followed very effectively by the media at that time.
Qataris also liked to stay in Zurich hotels. Or just buy. In 2012, a Qatari investor group bought and renovated Hotel Atlantis. The former Emir, who lived in Zurich, should have had his own private suite on the top floor.
However, Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani passed away before it was completed and Atlantis is now owned by an Indian billionaire. In contrast, the Swiss resort Bürgenstock and the Hotel Schweizerhof in Bern are still owned by the Qatari state wealth fund.
on board with CS
The same fund also has a five percent stake in the crisis bank Credit Suisse. The royal family has been sitting on the board for a long time.
In recent years, the royal family has been less present. Tourist visits from Qatari also decreased. Due to the ongoing World Cup, communication with FIFA is now more active than ever. (lui)