Next week, U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May is due
to meet with GCC leaders at a summit in Bahrain to talk about what the
post-Brexit future will look like for relationships with Saudi Arabia, Qatar,
the UAE and other neighbors in the
region.
The somewhat unlikely Brexit vote has caused a lot of protest
from those wanting closer cosmopolitan ties in the region, and has raised questions
about trade deals that have so far been worked out under an EU framework.
Now, May and British leadership have their eye on better
joint trade relations with GCC countries, which makes sense, given the
familiarity between the U.K. and the Gulf states.
Analysts expect the nations to talk about weapons deals
and defense trade, since Britain is in the process of building a naval base in
Bahrain.
“As the U.K. leaves the EU, we should seize the opportunity to
forge a new trade arrangement between the U.K. and the Gulf,” May said in a press
statement.
The prime minister continued by adding that new trade deals with GCC partners could “transform the
way we do business and lock in a new level of prosperity for our people for
generations to come.”
The idea of renewed trade talks with the U.K. has gotten
positive responses from leaders in the region like Bahrain King Hamad Al Khalifa.
In addition, a group called the Bahrain British Business
Forum (BBBF) was formed specifically to keep strengthening trade ties between
the two nations. This group still hopes to grow international trade, in Bahrain
and neighboring countries.
“In looking ahead, we are determined to maintain and enhance
our reputation as the key business Forum in the Gulf, promoting Bahrain as the
regional center from which to conduct business throughout the Middle East,” BBBF Chair Khalid Al Zayani said in a statement
on the group’s web site. “However, a large part of our success
depends upon encouraging growth in the depth and breadth of our membership.
This, coupled with the vision and drive of the committee will enable us to
provide more opportunities for networking and the development of long-term
business relationships between members as well as with external partners.”
What will the future of U.K.-GCC trade look like?
Butch
Herod is the director of the West Houston Institute at Houston Community College.
In recent years, Herod lived in Qatar as dean of the college’s satellite school
there.
In his opinion, the situation depends, to a large extent, on how the British government approaches trade relationships.
“The British have attempted to maintain an active presence
in the region,” Herod recently told Gulf News Journal. “I don’t think they’re
going to have to start from scratch.”
Nevertheless, he said, there may be challenges related to
strong competition.
“It’s all about relationships over there,” Herod said,
describing competition for trade by the French, British and Americans during
the time he lived in Qatar.
Achieving trade deals, he said, often means
building trust, or at least familiarity. In the past, the French have won
out on certain weapons contracts by establishing more of a communicative base
inside the countries in question, rather than just sending envoys from time to
time.
“The British have something of an uphill battle,” Herod
said.
That said, the trade results are still up in the air.
