Lords Committee to take evidence on developing trade with Middle Eastern states
On Wednesday 8 February the House of Lords International Relations Committee will take evidence from the Middle East Association and the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce.
This evidence session is part of the Committee's 'Transformation of power in the Middle East and implications for UK policy' inquiry.
The Committee will hear from:
- Peter Meyer, Chief Executive Officer, Middle East Association
- Abdeslam El-Idrissi, Director of Trade Services, Arab-British Chamber of Commerce
The questions the Committee may ask include:
- What are the barriers to strengthening the UK's economic relations with the Middle East?
- What impact will Brexit have on the UK's relations with Gulf states? Post-Brexit, is a free trade agreement between the UK and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states likely?
- Is there a role for the UK to support Gulf states in weaning themselves off oil and diversifying their economies?
- What are the implications of the further development of the Chinese New Silk Road initiative and the potential conclusion of a China-GCC trade agreement?
- Do you think that a major threat to the Iran nuclear deal might be that its economic dividends have not become evident in Iran, eroding domestic support?
- What further steps could the UK Government take to open up the Iranian market to international investment and foreign capital? What impact might the policies of President Trump have on realising this potential?
- How could the UK facilitate the increase of trade between Middle Eastern states?
The evidence sessions will start at 10am on Wednesday 8 February in Committee Room 4 of the House of Lords.
