London Lord Mayor to QNA: Qatar Amir’s Visit to UK celebrates wonderful relations between two Countries

English , Qatar - قطر , Snippets , / Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024

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London, December 3 (QNA) – Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alastair King, lauded HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani’s state visit to the United Kingdom as a testament to the robust ties between Qatar and Britain across trade, finance, culture, and more.
Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Lord Mayor King welcomed HH the Amir to London, emphasizing the significance of the visit amidst preparations for the UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement, expected to unlock extensive opportunities for Qatari and British businesses.
Highlighting Qatar’s vital role as an investment partner, King expressed gratitude for Qatar’s contributions to key British institutions and businesses, extending beyond London to other regions like southeast England. He also underscored his efforts to encourage UK companies to explore markets in Qatar, particularly in areas like sustainable and project finance.
The Lord Mayor emphasized Qatar’s interest in emerging technological and scientific sectors, including life sciences, showcasing the mutual investment flow between the two nations. He also noted the thriving financial partnership, with Qatari institutions and banks active in London and British financial entities making their mark in Qatar.
Trade between the UK and GCC countries is projected to grow by 16% to GBP 57 billion, with the GCC being the UK’s fourth-largest trading partner. Lord Mayor King pointed to substantial opportunities in green finance, a sector where the UK leads with GBP 91 billion in assets under management. Qatar’s participation in these green investment funds is a key highlight of the partnership.
Looking ahead, King mentioned the upcoming UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement as a driver for expanding green investments, including green Sukuk issuances on the London Stock Exchange—a topic he plans to discuss with Qatari institutions during his Doha visit in May 2025.
Concluding, the Lord Mayor hailed the discussions with HH the Amir as a catalyst for enhancing financial and professional service collaborations, underscoring the exceptional potential of UK-Qatar relations.