UAE Economy Minister wants closer innovation links with Britain

Sultan Al Mansouri said he was keen to see an evolution in joint economic and investment ties between the two countries.

Powered by automated translation

The UAE and Britain should explore closer cooperation in the area of innovation, says the Minister of Economy.

Sultan Al Mansouri said he was keen to see an evolution in joint economic and investment ties between the two countries.

Mr Al Mansouri’s comments follow his talks with Lord Green, Britain’s minister for trade and investment. The two men discussed economic relations regarding trade, investment and education, as well as relations between businessmen from both countries, according to Emirates News Agency.

The meeting is the latest sign of a recent attempt to add a commercial angle to strengthening diplomatic ties.

Lord Deighton, the commercial secretary of Britain's treasury, visited Abu Dhabi last week in an attempt to secure funds towards £300 billion (Dh1.77 trillion) in investment in British infrastructure projects.

Mr Al Mansouri and Lord Green said they were optimistic that the growing bilateral exchange of goods and services would reach a target of £12bn by 2015.

Lord Green said Britain was planning to set up two business centres in the UAE to support joint investment and commerce. Mr Al Mansouri said the UAE also wanted to learn from Britain’s expertise in the areas of standardisation and metrology.

tarnold@thenational.ae