UAE calls on early FTA with UK

The UAE has called on early free trade agreement (FTA) talks with the UK, as Britain is in the midst of exiting from the European Union.

"Dr Anwar Gargash, UAE's minister of state for foreign affairs, calls for an 'early' free trade deal between the UK and Gulf Cooperation Council at Emirates Society in London. FTA is 'extremely important' to the UAE," tweeted Mansoor Abulhoul, UAE ambassador to the UK, late on Tuesday. The UAE is keen to boost UAE-UK bilateral trade from £16 billion to £25 billion and beyond.

"We need a confident, active Britain that is closely involved in Gulf security and Middle East issues," Gargash, said, adding that the UK is a critical trade, defence and security partner.

The 19th UAE-UK Taskforce meeting took place in London this week, co-hosted by Dr. Anwar Gargash and Dr. Andrew Murrison, UK Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa. During the meetings, UAE officials emphasised their keenness to reinforce cooperation with the UK across various fields, most notably in the areas of trade, cultural exchange, combatting illicit finance and serious crime, and defence.

UAE officials noted their interest in the UK investment environment following Brexit. The UAE representatives also expressed their pleasure at the robustness of the UAE-UK trade relationship, particularly in light of the UAE's position as a regional and global hub in the fields of health, technology, transport, food security, education, and infrastructure.