UK leader plans Gulf tour: Multi-billion trade deals and regional talks ahead
British PM sets out for crucial meetings with UAE and Saudi leaders to boost trade partnerships and discuss Middle East situation. The visit includes historic Cyprus stop - first bilateral trip in five decades
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
