Birmingham, March 28 - The meetings of the Qatar-UK Business and Investment Forum, which kicked off yesterday in London, resumed today in Birmingham. In his speech, UK Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox welcomed the high-level Qatari delegation and stressed the importance of the forum in light of the strong relations between the two countries that aimed at the prosperity of the citizens of Qatar and the United Kingdom. 

            He said when UK Prime Minister Theresa May took office in last July she focused on economy that 'works for everybody', adding that the government aims to build new partnerships and trade relations with countries around the world and to begin a new chapter for Britain.

            He stressed that his department sets a priority to enhance and expand exporting sectors to the countries of the world, pointing out that the government provides full support to business leaders and commercial sectors in the field of export, stressing at the same time that 'Qatar is our partner to achieve all these goals we came to highlight today'.

            In his remarks, HE Minister of Municipality and Environment Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi highlighted that the efficient allocation of resources as well as the effective participation of the private sector are priorities in the national strategy 2017-2022".

            His Excellency added that the strong relations between the two countries were underlined by HE Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani in the first day of the conference in London. The State of Qatar continues to reap the benefits of these excellent economic and trade relations with the United Kingdom, Al Rumaihi said, adding that the two countries have reached an important point in their financial and investment ties. HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment pointed out that the State of Qatar expects an increase of economic growth by 3.4 percent in 2017.