Qatar’s Prime Minister Hamad bin Jassim al Thani will join the Duke of York in inaugurating one of Europe’s tallest buildings this summer.

The opening of the 1,017-foot London-based Shard, whose construction was almost wholly funded by Qatar, will take place just weeks before the summer Olympics.

Arabian Business reports:

“This towering endeavor embodies our vision to create an alternative investment to oil. And today, I’m proud to say that we are at the final stages of inaugurating The Shard, London’s newest iconic landmark,” said Ali Shareef Al Emadi, QNB Group CEO and Board Member of the Shard Funding Limited.

The tower will consist of residential apartments, offices, signature restaurants and the five-star Shangri-La hotel. And will be the tallest building in Western Europe when it is official opened.

Some analysts have said Qatar’s involvement with the Shard is another example of its program of “soft diplomacy” with Western countries.

Thoughts?

Credit: Photo by Nathan Rupert