Image: Twitter / citylordmayor
Doha: Lord Mayor of the City of London Alderman Charles Bowman stressed the importance of the Qatari investments in the United Kingdom where the volume of investments reached about 35 billion pounds, boosted recently by new investments worth 3.5 billion pounds, which represent 70% of the new investments announced by Qatar in Britain, thus bringing the Qatari investments in London to around 38.5 billion pounds.
In an interview with Qatari newspaper Al-Sharq published today, Lord Mayor said that there are good discussions with the Qatari side to take the necessary steps and measures to make the Qatari business environment more attractive, especially as there are legislation and institutions that serve such objectives, noting that some ideas, such as "Qatar Day in London", have already been considered in the coming period, which represents an opportunity to highlight the opportunities, activities and business climate in London.
Lord Bowman said that his visit to Qatar comes in the framework of strengthening relations between countries and the financial sector in the UK, adding that he had met with Deputy Amir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Thani, Minister of Finance H E Ali Sharif Al Emadi, leaders at Qatar Financial Center, officials in the State and about ten bank officials in Qatar. He said that the discussions during those meetings were open, constructive and positive, and touched on many important issues and ways of enhancing the cooperation in various fields.
Lord Mayor praised Qatar National Vision 2030, saying that it is very courageous and ambitious vision and stressed the keenness of London on supporting Qatar in the achievement of this vision, as Qatar has the capital and determination to make it a reality and the UK has a lot of knowledge and experience that can help Qatar diversify its economy in several areas.
Lord Bowman described the relations with Doha as strong and noted that the UK is looking to expand cooperation in five areas: the reinsurance sector, where London has a mature sector and great expertise; deepening cooperation by achieving Qatar's national goals embodied in Qatar National Vision 2030; the projects of the 2022 World Cup through cooperation with the Qatar Financial Center and other entities; the development of trade exchanges, investment and economic cooperation; the cooperation in the banking field and in the field of innovation and modernization in the financial sector where the United Kingdom has made progress in the field of cybersecurity and Islamic banking; and increasing confidence between the financial sector and customers.
On the differential advantages offered by London to attract the Qatari investors, Lord Bowman noted that there are many features, notably freedom of trade and investment, an attractive investment climate, and being an important economic, educational and cultural center. London also has tax advantages and other legislation that encourage foreign investment.
