Saeed Al Hajeri meets Lord Mervyn Davies, Co‑Chair of UAE–UK Business Council

The Minister of State held talks in Abu Dhabi with the UK co‑chair to advance private‑sector links and prepare for the Business Council plenary in London in October 2026.

UAE–UK Business Council co‑chairs meet in Abu Dhabi

On 16 September 2026 Saeed Al Hajeri, Minister of State, met Lord Mervyn Davies, Co‑Chair of the UAE–UK Business Council at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abu Dhabi. The meeting was the second between the two since assuming their co‑chair roles and focused on strengthening economic and commercial ties between the UAE and the United Kingdom.

Officials described the Council as a strategic platform to deepen trade and investment links and to boost private‑sector engagement. The two co‑chairs discussed ways to connect the Council’s network directly to tangible opportunities in both markets so that companies can capitalise on projects and expand operations regionally and globally.

Delegates reviewed priority sectors for cooperation, including artificial intelligence, healthcare, tourism, culture and hospitality. The discussion emphasised practical steps to promote collaboration between business communities, and the role of the Council in facilitating business‑to‑business contacts, joint ventures and investment flows across those areas.

Preparations for the UAE–UK Business Council Plenary Meeting, scheduled to take place in London in October 2026, featured prominently in the talks. The co‑chairs underlined the plenary’s importance in advancing agreed priorities, identifying new opportunities for businesses and setting a workplan for the remainder of 2026 and into 2027.

The meeting also considered the UAE’s expanding network of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) with strategic partners and how these arrangements create openings for UK companies. Participants noted the advantages offered by the UAE’s free zones, advanced logistics infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities, which can serve as a regional platform for UK firms seeking to scale up in the Gulf and beyond.

Both sides reiterated their commitment to increasing private‑sector participation in Council activities and to leveraging institutional links to promote trade, technology transfer and investment. The talks aimed to translate strategic dialogue into concrete initiatives that will benefit companies and investors in both countries.

By centring on actionable cooperation across several strategic sectors and on linking Council networks to market‑ready opportunities, the meeting sought to sharpen the Council’s delivery role ahead of the London plenary.

Source: WAM