Visit to the Middle East
The UK is amongst the favourite European destinations for Qataris and the most attractive, in terms of varied investments. Qatari investments into the UK amount to around £40bn. I was pleased to have kicked off my tour of the Gulf in Qatar to build on these links. I held productive meetings with businesses, the government and sovereign wealth funds. UK expertise in fintech, green finance and insurance make it a natural partner of choice to help Qatar further develop its financial services sector, in line with its National Vision 2030 towards a more sustainable and diversified economy.
From our leadership in sustainable finance and risk management to our experience structuring infrastructure projects, the Square Mile has the right tools to support Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 agenda for a more diversified economy.
I visited Saudi Arabia for the launch of the first UK-Saudi Sustainable Infrastructure Assembly. Created by City of London Corporation in partnership with Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Investment, and the UK’s Department for Business and Trade, the Assembly will provide a vital platform for UK and Saudi businesses to collaborate, exchange expertise, and unlock commercial opportunities.
British firms will gain exposure to high-profile Saudi infrastructure projects, while Saudi stakeholders will benefit from our expertise in structuring and financing sustainable projects.
The United Arab Emirates is the UK’s largest trading partner in the Gulf, accounting for more than a third of all our trade in the region.
I finished off my tour of the Gulf in the UAE, meeting with government officials and major businesses including ADGM, B4NZ, DIFC and Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company) to explore how we can build on the existing UK-UAE MoU to promote cooperation in financial services.
As an international ambassador for the United Kingdom's financial and professional services sector, I am keen to bolster collaboration in key areas like capital markets, wealth management, green finance and insurance, helping create a brighter future for both our economies.
