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UK eyes new industrial partnerships

DUBAI — The United Kingdom has been enjoying the strong trade relationship with the UAE and British firms look keen to engage in new industrial partnerships with local companies here, a senior government official said.

The British firms, especially involved in some of the most cutting-edge technology in defence and security, are participating in the Dubai Airshow to further strengthen relationship in these sectors.

“We have a strong and deep relationship with the Emirates and the UK government is keen to further increase the bilateral trade and investment relationship through industrial partnerships,” Gerald Howarth, UK Minister for International Security Strategy, told Khaleej Times during an interview at the airshow.

He said Gulf is an important trading partner of United Kingdom and the government is willing to further build up relationships in defence and security sectors in the region.

“We have strong presence in the region as over 100 British companies are working here. The UK firms have close relationships with the UAE companies like Mubadala, Tawazun, among others” he said.

“The British industry is keen to establish mutually beneficial partnerships with the very capable industrial and technological base in the UAE,” he said.

Alan Malpas, regional director in UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security organisation for Middle East, said UAE-UK bilateral trade is expected to increase by 20 per cent to £12 billion in 2015.

“The bilateral trade rose 23 per cent during the first eight months of this year,” he said.

He said UK awards about 40 per cent of annual defence contracts to international firms and the Middle East region holds significant share.

“The GCC accounted for around 40 per cent of all of the £6 billion of UK defence exports in 2010. This was slightly lower that the five-year trend, which is about 50 per cent.”

Typhoon proposal

Howarth said that the UAE has asked the Eurofighter consortium involving Britain, German, Italy and Spain to submit a proposal on potential supply of its Typhoon to the Emirati Air Force.

“The UK has received a request for proposal for the potential supply of Typhoon to Emirati Air Force,” he said.

“We will put together a proper proposal, which will take time. The UAE has also required time to properly assess the aircraft, particularly in the light of its performance in Libya,” Howarth said.

“We have already sold 72 jets to Saudi Arabia in the region and other nations have also expressed interest in the fighter.”

He said the UK has a significant range of high-quality defence products across the air, land, maritime and security sectors. He said British government will identify new areas of joint industrial and technological cooperation with the Emirati companies.

“We are, of course, delighted to receive the request from the UAE,” Malpas said and adding that the UK is also interested to market other defence products in the region.

“We are also keen to promote the Hawk advanced jet trainer, unmanned systems, offshore vessels and homeland security capabilities.”

In reply to a question about major challenges in bolstering defence and commercial ties with the UAE, he said: “We see these as an opportunity rather than a challenge. We are very keen to encourage more industrial partnerships in all sectors.”

muzaffarrizvi@khaleejtimes.com