Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Trade: Persian Gulf Countries

Thursday 3 March 2022 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Gulf is an important trading region for the United Kingdom, valued at 32.4 billion in 2020.
  • The Government plans to start negotiations on a free trade agreement with the Gulf Co-operation Council later in 2022.
  • The demand for top-quality British produce in the Gulf is already more than 600 million a year.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alexander Stafford
Business & Trade
Context

The MP inquired about the UK's trading relationship with Persian Gulf nations, focusing on potential steps to boost bilateral trade.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to increase trade with the Persian Gulf countries. The Gulf is an important trading region for the United Kingdom, valued at £32.4 billion in 2020.

Answer from Mike Freer

The Gulf is an important trading region for the United Kingdom, worth £32.4 billion in 2020. The Government aims to start negotiations on a free trade agreement with the GCC later in 2022, following a public consultation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The potential benefits for Rother Valley and specific commitments regarding jobs and investment were not addressed.

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Q2 Alexander Stafford
Economy Business & Trade
Context

The MP followed up on a previous question, seeking to understand the specific advantages that a free trade agreement between the UK and GCC could bring for his constituency.

Question

Can my hon. Friend the Minister set out some of the potential benefits for the UK, and especially for Rother Valley, of a trade deal with the Gulf Co-operation Council, particularly around jobs and investment? The demand for top-quality British produce is already more than £600 million a year.

Answer from Mike Freer

I can reassure my hon. Friend that the Gulf represents a massive opportunity for many goods, from education and defence to vehicles, food and agriculture. The demand for top-quality British produce alone is already more than £600 million a year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific benefits for Rother Valley in terms of jobs and investment were not detailed.

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