London: Lord Mayor of the City of London Alastair King emphasized that the state visit of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to the United Kingdom is a celebration of the wonderful relations between Qatar and Britain in the areas of trade, finance, cultural activities, and more. According to Qatar News Agency, the Lord Mayor of the City of London remarked that the UK is very pleased to welcome HH the Amir to London. The long-awaited visit comes at a historic moment, as both nations prepare to announce the UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement, which they hope will be signed soon. This agreement is expected to create significant opportunities for both Qatari and British companies. Lord Alastair King indicated that the United Kingdom views Qatar as a crucial investment partner and is grateful for the confidence demonstrated by Qatar's investments in many of its institutions and businesses. These investments are not limited to London but extend to several parts of the United Kingdom, including opportunities in the southeast of England. He further mentioned that he is encouraging companies in the United Kingdom to explore new markets in Qatar. Britain boasts extensive experience in areas such as sustainable finance and project finance, and he anticipates Qatari investors to venture into some of Britain's unique technological fields. The Lord Mayor highlighted that Qatar is interested in these areas, along with the extraordinary scientific advancements in life sciences. He noted the robust flow of investments in both directions between Qatar and the United Kingdom. He added that London and Doha share close relations, with many Qatari institutions and banks operating in London. Similarly, British banks have a notable presence in Qatar. Qatari investments in British financial institutions and reciprocal British investments in Qatar further strengthen this relationship. Discussing British trade with GCC countries, Lord Mayor Alastair King told QNA that trade between the two sides is expected to grow by 16 percent to around GBP 57 billion. He noted that there are exceptional opportunities in UK-Qatar relations, and the free trade agreement will facilitate substantial investment flows between the two countries. He pointed out that the GCC countries are the UK's fourth largest trading partner, highlighting investment opportunities in various sectors. The Lord Mayor of the City of London mentioned significant investment from Qatar in green finance, an area where the UK is a market leader. With GBP 91 billion of assets under management in green investment funds, Qatari participation in these funds is encouraging. King expressed optimism for advancing green investments following the signing of the UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement. An example is the issuance of green Sukuks on the London Stock Exchange, which he plans to discuss with Qatari institutions during his visit to Doha in May 2025. The Lord Mayor concluded his remarks by stating that meetings with HH the Amir during the visit will create exceptional opportunities to enh ance commercial relations. He looks forward to discussing various topics with His Highness, aiming to develop these relations in financial and professional services.