New UK-Gulf partnerships to support infrastructure in developing world

Liz Truss, currently on a two-day trip to Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which began yesterday (Wednesday 20 October), is looking to establish bilateral working groups with Gulf allies to deliver cleaner and more reliable infrastructure and much needed financing into developing and developed nations.

Truss wants more bilateral investment partnerships to drive forward the Build Back Better World Initiative, which was launched by G7 leaders at the Carbis Bay Summit in June to meet the huge infrastructure need in low- and middle-income countries after Covid.

Projects could, for example, reportedly include building water and energy networks, ports and roads.

The Foreign Secretary said:

I want to work with like-minded partners to help provide clean and reliable infrastructure in the developing world.

This should be a win-win-win deal for the UK, the Gulf, and countries across Africa and Asia that will create jobs, improve lives, and benefit British and Gulf businesses operating in the region.

UK-Gulf collaboration could see experts from both countries working side-by-side, identifying opportunities for economic development in the developing world. By working together and sharing expertise, development superpowers, like the UK and some Gulf countries, can help drive economic growth and boost trade, improving the lives of some of the world’s poorest people.

Yesterday, Truss met Saudi Arabia's Minister of Foreign Affairs His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud to discuss closer cooperation on regional security, development, human rights and counterterrorism, and how the two nations can build economic links as part of the Kingdom’s plan to diversify its economy.

In Qatar today, she will meet His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.