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Written question asked by Lord Hylton (Crossbench) on Wednesday, 21 January 2015, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 4 February 2015. It was answered by Lord Livingston of Parkhead (Conservative) on Monday, 2 February 2015 on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Arab States

Question

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage tariff reductions, labour mobility, mutual recognition of university degrees, trade integration and increased exports, throughout the Arab world.

Answer

The UK is taking steps both bilaterally and in the European Union to support stronger economic ties with Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) countries.

The Gulf Cooperation Council suspended negotiations with the EU in 2008. However, the UK is working closely with European partners to build on existing Association Agreements (AA) in the region through the Union for the Mediterranean which brings together the EU and 15 countries of the MENA and Southern Mediterranean region. This work is an opportunity to reduce tariffs and further open up these markets for British businesses. The UK has also supported the opening of trade talks with Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan and Egypt. Of these, the most advanced trade talks are with Morocco; very recently an agreement was concluded to protect Geographical Indications (GIs).

UK Trade and Investment also has offices throughout the region working with business to increase UK exports, including a Middle East and North Africa marketing hub in Dubai. The Gulf region is also one of the priorities in the Government’s strategy for international education. In this regard the Government has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Higher Education and Research with Kuwait (June 2014), and one on Mutual Recognition of Qualifications with the UAE (May 2013).

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL4326
Session
2014-15
Subjects
Degrees Labour mobility Trade Arab states
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk