The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) today welcomed a delegation of eight members of the British parliament to Dubai. The British-United Arab Emirates All-Party Parliamentary Group’s purpose is to promote good relations between the parliaments and people of the UK and the UAE.
There were a total of eleven visitors to DIFC, including the British Ambassador, who were met by Nasser Al Shaali, CEO of the DIFC Authority. The Group consisted of: Kevan Jones MP, Chairman of the British-UAE All-Party Parliamentary Group; Janet Anderson MP, former Minister for Broadcasting, Films and Tourism; Jim Dowd MP, former senior Government Whip; David Ruffley MP, Shadow Minister for Work and Pensions; Gregory Barker MP, Shadow Minister for the Environment; Keith Simpson MP, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs (Middle East); and Michael Fallon MP, former junior Education Minister. British Ambassador, HE Edward Oakden, was also accompanied by Will Tricks, Advisor to HH The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Nicholas Dunne, Quiller Consultants.
The objective of this visit was to further strengthen political and economic ties between the UK and the UAE, and more specifically with Dubai and DIFC. Strong commercial relations between the UK and UAE have long been in existence and annual bilateral trade now exceeds £6 billion (AED 40.24 billion). Dubai in particular attracts many British businesses, and prominent companies such as Barclays Bank, Lloyds and Allen & Overy have now established offices in DIFC.
Nasser Al Shaali, CEO of the DIFC Authority, warmly received the delegation to DIFC: “The British-UAE All-Party Parliamentary Group is an invaluable initiative and we are honoured to have the commitment and support of these distinguished MPs, which will ensure the ongoing development of healthy and successful relations between the UK and the UAE. We believe that DIFC’s role in the development of the region’s financial industry has further strengthened ties between the two countries. The DIFC today is home to several leading british financial institutions including Barclays, Lloyds TSB, HSBC. ”
