Qatar 'in talks on £10bn investment in UK'

The Gulf state of Qatar has started talks with the British government over an investment of up to £10 billion ($15 billion, 11.5 billion euros) in infrastructure projects, the Financial Times reported on Thursday. The FT, which did not cite its source, reported that officials and ministers from both nations have held discussions on what schemes the Qataris could invest in and whether a special fund could be established. Possible infrastructure projects could include energy plants, roads, railways and sewers, according to the paper. Gas-rich Qatar has in recent years snapped up a string of major assets in Britain, including Harrods, the world's famous department store. The state also financed 95 percent of the Shard -- Europe's tallest skyscraper which pierces the London skyline.