A British newspaper said that Prime Minister Keir Starmer is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia and the UAE next month. In an attempt to attract new investments to the United Kingdom.
The Financial Times newspaper reported that the British Prime Minister’s visit comes within the framework of efforts aimed at… Strengthening his country’s diplomatic relations in the region.
She explained, citing sources she described as “informed,” that Starmer seeks to obtain billions of pounds sterling. From Gulf sovereign wealth funds to promote the growth agenda of the Labor government.
According to the newspaper, the United Kingdom seeks to secure investments from Gulf countries in sectors between energy and infrastructure , including projects such as the Sieswell C nuclear power station in eastern England.
She also indicated that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman may also visit London this year However, plans for this visit have not been finalized yet.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has large investments in the United Kingdom, including chemical plants in Teesside The Public Investment Fund is the majority owner of Newcastle United Football Club.
Saudi-British economic relations are witnessing continuous development in terms of trade exchange and investments between the two countries in several fields, With amounts of money amounting to billions of dollars.
In addition to establishing a joint commercial council aimed at enhancing and developing the volume of existing cooperation and serving common interests.
UAE-British relations are also witnessing development in various military, economic, educational, tourism and cultural fields, in addition to… Political relations.
Interviewer: That’s quite insightful. Given the emphasis on potential investments, what challenges do you think the UK might face in convincing Gulf nations to invest, especially considering the economic and political landscapes?
Guest 1: Dr. Ahmed Ali – Professor of Middle East Studies at the University of Oxford
Interviewer: Good morning, Dr. Ahmed. Thank you for joining us today. Could you please share your thoughts on Prime Minister Starmer’s upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia and the UAE? What do you think are the primary motivations behind this visit?
Dr. Ahmed: Thank you for having me. I believe this visit is part of Prime Minister Starmer’s strategy to bolster UK-Gulf relations and attract much-needed investments into the country. With the global economy facing challenges, it’s not surprising that the UK is looking to diversify its trade partners and tap into the vast wealth of these oil-rich nations. However, it remains to be seen whether or not these visits will have the desired impact, given the controversies surrounding human rights issues and the ongoing conflict in Yemen.
Interviewer: Absolutely, it will be interesting to see how these countries respond to the UK’s overtures. Speaking of which, how do you foresee the Saudi Arabian leadership’s reaction to the visit? Do you think there will be any resistance given the current political climate?
Dr. Ahmed: Well, Saudi Arabia has a significant investment presence in the UK, particularly in the energy sector. The recent developments at Sieswell C nuclear power station show that the country is interested in expanding its investment portfolio beyond oil. That being said, the Khashoggi affair and other human rights concerns have soured relations between the two countries. The Saudi leadership might welcome the opportunity to expand ties with the UK, but they will also be cautious about the public perception of such partnerships.
Guest 2: Ms. Sarah Brown – International Affairs Analyst and Former UK Diplomat
Interviewer: Ms. Brown, welcome to the show. Could you please elaborate on the potential investments Prime Minister Starmer hopes to secure from the Gulf countries during his visit? Are there any specific sectors he is targeting?
Ms. Brown: Yes, thank you for inviting me. As per the reports, Prime Minister Starmer’s visit aims to secure investments in various sectors, including energy, infrastructure, transport, and education. The UK is
