By IANS
Dubai : The United Arab Emirates has emerged as Britain’s largest trading partner in the Gulf, according to figures released by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).
According to DCCI figures, 56 percent of Britain’s exports to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region during 2006 went to the UAE, equalling goods worth 3.6 billion pounds, WAM news agency reported Saturday.
UAE shared a third of the region’s total exports worth 3.3 billion pounds to UK.
The British government’s announcement that it was keen to deepen trade and expand investment in the UAE as one of the emerging markets underlines the importance London accords to the emirates, chairman of British Business Group in Dubai Mark Beer said.
The appointment of Sir John Parker, Chairman of Britain’s National Grid and Vice Chairman of the Dubai Government-owned global marine terminal operator DP World, to the Business Council for Britain could be seen as further strengthening of the ties between the two countries, he said.
The newly formed council is made up of a number of senior British business leaders and has been established to advise the Prime Minister on matters relating to enterprise and the British economy.