Dec 03, (V7N) - Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani has begun a two-day state visit to the UK, hosted by King Charles III, with discussions focused on strengthening trade ties. The visit will feature meetings with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and a state banquet at Buckingham Palace. The UK government is keen on securing a free trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, which could boost the UK's economy by $2 billion.

Trade relations between the UK and Qatar are strong, with bilateral trade in goods and services reaching $6.8 billion as of early 2024. The emir's visit also includes stops at Sandhurst, a military academy he attended, and discussions likely touching on the Middle East, where Qatar has played a role as a mediator in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

However, Qatar's human rights record remains a point of contention, with protests planned by The Peter Tatchell Foundation to highlight concerns over the country's treatment of women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and migrant workers.

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