UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Seeks Gulf Investment and Trade Deals

Starmer's visit to the UAE and Saudi Arabia aims to secure economic partnerships, a Gulf free trade agreement, and deeper defence ties despite human rights concerns.

Keir Starmer begins his first Gulf visit as UK Prime Minister, meeting leaders in the UAE and Saudi Arabia to strengthen trade and defence relationships.
The trip focuses on advancing a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) free trade agreement, which could boost UK trade by £8.6 billion annually.
Starmer seeks investments from Gulf sovereign wealth funds to support UK infrastructure and green energy projects.
Human rights groups have urged Starmer to address Saudi Arabia's record-high executions in 2024 during his meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
After the Gulf visit, Starmer will travel to Cyprus for bilateral talks with President Nikos Christodoulides and to meet British troops stationed there.