Doha: The Qatar-UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee conducted its 4th meeting with participation from senior officials and representatives of both the public and private sectors of Qatar and the United Kingdom.
According to Qatar News Agency, the meeting was co-chaired by HE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Sayed and HE Minister of State for Trade Policy in the UK Department for Business and Trade Sir Chris Bryant. HE the Minister of State for Foreign Trade highlighted that the meeting signifies the shared commitment of the two nations in enhancing economic relations to serve mutual interests and adapt to global economic dynamics. He noted the continuous development of Qatari-British relations, which has forged a strategic partnership in trade and investment.
Qatari investments in the UK have surpassed GBP 40 billion, while the trade volume between the nations reached approximately GBP 1.7 billion in 2024, affirming the United Kingdom's role as a significant trading partner for Qatar. Furthermore, foreign direct investment flows from the UK to Qatar exceeded GBP 6 billion from 2017 to 2024, demonstrating British investors' confidence in Qatar's market, where over 600 British companies operate.
His Excellency expressed Qatar's eagerness to negotiate a free trade agreement between the UK and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, aiming to boost market access and enhance cooperation in digital trade, customs, and services. He also expressed Qatar's ambition to advance collaboration with the UK in finance, digitalization, and innovation, through institutional integration between the Qatari and British trade windows, as well as cooperation in green growth and climate technology, supported by Qatar's investment of one billion pounds sterling in the UK.
The meeting included discussions on the progress of implementing the recommendations from the 3rd meeting of the committee, expansions of current projects, and topics related to cooperation in various fields such as industry, environment, agriculture, transportation, health, education, science, and technology. Both parties agreed to take steps to enhance trade and investment cooperation, aiming to increase trade volume and facilitate the flow of goods, services, and investments.
At the meeting's conclusion, HE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Sayed and HE Minister of State for Trade Policy in the UK Department for Business and Trade Sir Chris Bryant signed the minutes of the 4th meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee.