UK PM Keir Starmer to visit Saudi Arabia, UAE to boost investments, source says
DUBAI (Reuters) -British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will travel to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) next month, a source briefed on the plans said on Wednesday, as Britain seeks to deepen its ties with the wealthy Gulf states.
Another source briefed on Starmer’s UAE travel plans separately confirmed the UAE visit. Both sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because the travel plans had not been officially announced.
Britain is hoping to attract investment from the Gulf states, the sources said, including in energy projects from the UAE.
Starmer is also expected to discuss regional issues including the conflict in Gaza, Israel and Lebanon.
The visit would be the first to the Gulf by Starmer since the Labour party won the UK general election in July.
Starmer’s government has sought to repair relations with the UAE, which were severely strained under the previous Conservative government.
Starmer’s visit was first reported on Wednesday by the Financial Times, citing people familiar with his plans.
The newspaper also reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman might visit London next year, but that his travel plans were yet to be finalised.
Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will make a state visit to the UK on Dec. 3 and 4, when he will be hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace.
King Charles, last week, hosted King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain at Windsor Castle.
Britain’s trade ministers visited the Gulf in September in an effort 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.
(Reporting by Alexander Cornwell in Dubai, Andrew Mills in Doha and Angela Christy in Bengaluru; Writing by Andrew Mills; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Kate Mayberry)
