Report: Reliance Industries Considering $1 Billion Stake Sale to Qatar Fund in Retail Arm

Reliance Industries (RIL) is planning to raise $1 billion by selling a 1% stake in its retail unit to Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), according to a report by the Financial Times. QIA is seeking to invest in Reliance Retail Ventures (RRV), the holding company for Reliance Retail, which includes popular brands like Reliance Digital, Reliance Jewels, and the online shopping platform JioMart.

The discussions about the investment come at a time when RIL is restructuring the share capital of Reliance Retail. A spokesperson from Reliance Retail stated, "The company evaluates various opportunities on an ongoing basis." It is worth noting that QIA already has exposure to the Indian conglomerate, as it holds a stake in RIL's media and entertainment business through Bodhi Tree Systems.

In 2020, Reliance Industries raised $6.4 billion (approximately Rs 47,265 crore) from foreign investors by selling a nearly 10.1% stake in RRV, which valued the company at $57 billion (approximately Rs 4.2 lakh crore). The potential investment by QIA indicates continued investor interest in Reliance Retail and its diverse portfolio of businesses.

The move also reflects RIL's strategy to attract foreign investment and partnerships to fuel the growth of its retail ventures. As one of India's leading conglomerates, Reliance Industries continues to explore opportunities for expansion and strengthening its position in the retail sector.