Keir Starmer starts his first-ever Gulf region trip tomorrow seeking to strengthen UKʼs economic ties with oil-rich nations. The british PM (who took office last summer) plans back-to-back meetings with key middle-eastern leaders
The tight schedule includes talks with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed in UAE and Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia: both meetings happening on dec 9th. The main focus - expanding UKʼs trade connections which currently reach £23bn with UAE and £17bn with Saudi Arabia
The visit follows recent trade-ministers efforts to speed-up Gulf Cooperation Council deal that might add £8‚6bn yearly to UKʼs economy. Earlier this week King Charles and Starmer welcomed Qatars emir showing UKʼs growing interest in middle-eastern partnerships
- Boosting infrastructure investments
- Developing clean-energy projects
- Improving defense cooperation
- Discussing Gaza situation
The trip ends with an un-precedented visit to Cyprus (first in half-a-century) where Starmer meets President Nikos Christodoulides to talk about regional security Its worth noting that UKʼs economy - worlds 6th largest needs significant infrastructure updates and new energy solutions