The Qatar-UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee has held its 4th meeting in Doha with the participation of of senior officials and representatives of the public and private sectors from both nations.
The Qatar-UK meeting was co-chaired by Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs HE Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Sayed and UK Minister of State for Trade Policy Sir Chris Bryant.
HE Dr. Al Sayed said that the meeting reflects the shared commitment of both countries to deepen economic ties, highlighting the steady growth of the Qatar-UK strategic partnership in trade and investment.
The minister stated that Qatari investments in the UK have exceeded $55 billion (GBP 40 billion), while bilateral trade reached about $2.3 billion (GBP 1.7 billion) in 2024, reaffirming the UK’s position as a key trading partner for Qatar. He added that UK foreign direct investment into Qatar surpassed $8.2 billion (GBP 6 billion) between 2017 and 2024, reflecting strong investor confidence, with more than 600 British companies operating in the Qatari market.
HE Dr. Al Sayed stressed Qatar’s keenness to conclude a free trade agreement between the UK and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to enhance market access and cooperation in digital trade, customs, and services. He also highlighted Qatar’s ambition to deepen cooperation with the UK in finance, digitalization, and innovation, including integrating the Qatari and UK single trade windows, alongside collaboration in green growth and climate technology, supported by investments of $1.37 billion (GBP 1 billion) in the UK.
The two sides reviewed progress on recommendations from the committee’s third meeting, ongoing projects, and plans for expansion, while exploring ways to strengthen cooperation across industry, environment, agriculture, transport, health, education, science, and technology. They also agreed to take concrete steps to enhance trade and investment cooperation, boost bilateral trade volumes, and facilitate the flow of goods, services, and investments.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Qatar Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs HE Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Sayed and 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 Qatar-UK Joint Ministerial Committee.
