DUBAI // The British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne is currently in the UAE on his first official state visit to the country since becoming chancellor in May 2010.
"He is here to discuss the full spectrum of bilateral issues between the UK and UAE and will be having meetings both in Abu Dhabi and Dubai," confirmed a spokeswoman for the British Embassy last night.
The conservative politician released his first bugdet last month which included a cut in certain business taxes, an increase on tobacco duty and removing exemptions for hot takeaway products and sports drinks.
On the first day of his visit he met Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, the National Security Advisor, at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi to tackle joint relations, according to the state news agency Wam.
Trade between the two countries reached US$5.4 billion in 2010, and the UAE hosts more than a million British people every year. Half a million Emiratis also visit the UK every year, the Wam statement said.
