RIYADH — As part of a Gulf tour intended to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to go to Saudi Arabia on Monday to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Discussions in Saudi Arabia are anticipated to center on advancing a possible free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), fortifying defense and security alliances, and promoting more Saudi investment in the UK. This is Starmer’s first trip to the region as prime minister.
Saudi Arabia is the UK’s biggest market for defence exports, at £3.8 billion yearly, while trade between the two countries currently amounts to £17 billion annually. Together, the GCC and the UK trade £55 billion; a new deal may increase bilateral commerce by 16%, or an estimated £8.6 billion a year.
“There is a lot of unrealized potential in this area,” Starmer stated before to his trip. “I am here to deepen research and development collaboration, expedite the Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement, and collaborate with partners on future-focused projects in fields like defense and artificial intelligence.”
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are already significant investors in the United Kingdom, and Starmer’s visit aims to strengthen these connections, especially in the areas of innovation and technology.
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