Blitz Bureau
SEEKING to deepen ties with the Gulf states, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is likely to visit Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates next month, according to sources.
However, Starmer’s office has declined comment. Britain hopes to attract investment from the Gulf states, including in energy projects from the UAE. Starmer is also expected to discuss regional issues including the conflict in Gaza, Israel and Lebanon, Reuters said quoting a source.
The visit would be the first to the Gulf by Starmer since the Labour party was elected in July.
Starmer’s government has sought to repair relations with the UAE that were strained under the previous Conservative government partly over some Conservative parliamentarians’ opposition to Emirati investment in Britain such as a UAE-linked bid to buy the Telegraph newspaper which ultimately failed. Starmer’s visit was first reported on Wednesday by the Financial Times, citing people familiar with his plans.
The newspaper said Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman might visit London next year, but his travel plans were yet to be finalised. Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, will visit Britain from December 3-4. He will be hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace.
Britain’s trade ministers visited the Gulf in September to try to advance negotiations towards a free trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which groups Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Britain’s Business and Trade Department estimates a free trade deal with the GCC could boost the UK economy by 1.6 billion pounds ($2.10 billion) over the long run.
