Call for Qatar investments in London infrastructure

By Peter TownsonStaff Reporter

The Lord Mayor of London, David Wootton discusses two-way investment opportunities in infrastructure for the UK and Qatar

The Lord Mayor of the city of London has highlighted the close relationship between Qatar and his city, saying that the political efforts exerted by the local authorities in the international arena have led to a deeper understanding and closer ties between Qatar and the UK.David Wootton, on a two-day visit to Qatar to meet government and private sector officials, spoke to Gulf Times about the investment opportunities for Qatar in the UK’s capital, claiming that the country could play a role in the city of London’s £200bn infrastructure development plans over the next five years.The Lord Mayor stressed the importance of  UK’s relationship with Qatar, especially during the current uncertainty surrounding the European markets, and said that the government is committed to developing this relationship. “It’s very important and I suspect that over the years that we may not have paid it as much attention as we should have done, but now we are fully engaged,” he said, referring to the large number of high-level visits between both countries as a clear indication of the strength and significance of the relationship between the countries.Wootton explained that he is in Qatar for three reasons, firstly “to reinforce the longstanding and very good relationship between the UK, and particularly London, with Qatar - both with the government of Qatar and private sector business.“The second reason is to promote British business here, particularly in development and infrastructure projects – we have a lot of experience in the UK which we think can be a help for Qatar as well as for us,” he said.“And the third reason is to promote investment in the UK,” he explained, adding “Qatar has invested heavily in the UK, but they are mainly real estate related investments, which is fine, but we have a large infrastructure plan – a £200bn plan over five years – for roads, railways, hospitals, airports, ports, schools, etc. which we think could offer a number of investment opportunities.”Qatar has its own infrastructure plans, and having committed to spending around $100bn on development in the run up to 2022, there are also many opportunities for British businesses to work here in the future, something which Wootton is also hoping to encourage during his visit. “Where Britain is particularly strong is the management and consultant side, as well as the legal side,” he said, explaining that a number of British companies are already working here and helping government bodies with planning and project management.“The specialist services are already here, but we need more construction companies to be here,” he said, adding “the other particular line of activity which there should be more of is insurance and asset management.”He also highlighted education as another area for potential British involvement in Qatar, both in terms of school and university levels as well as at the professional training level.“We find that British qualifications and training are recognised as being of good quality in other parts of the world, and that could be a great help here,” he noted.Another obvious area for collaboration between the two countries is in the sporting arena, with London hosting the Olympic Games this year, and Qatar bidding to host the event in 2020, having won the bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022.During the visit of Prime Minister David Cameron last year, the British Olympic Association and the Qatar Olympic Committee signed a memorandum of understanding, strengthening co-operation in a number of areas related to sport and the Olympics. And Wootton expressed his excitement at the thought of the largest sporting event coming to his city, as well as the possibility of it being hosted in Qatar in the near future.“The London Olympics are going to be the best ever, only to be exceeded by the Olympics in Qatar in 2020!” he joked.“Britain is very good at self-deprecation and therefore it comes as a mild surprise that the British Olympic project is on time and under budget, and it is going to be terrific,” claimed the Lord Mayor.Wootton explained that the huge level of organisation and preparation involved with the London games will lead to the city gaining a new, more modern reputation around the world.“This will be a lasting benefit to the world’s view of Britain,” he said, explaining that visitors from other countries have already been learning about the nation through it’s hosting of the games, and that this will continue over the coming year.Wootton also discussed the political role that Qatar has taken on in recent years, becoming a prominent player in regional and international diplomacy and mediation.  He expressed his belief that the pioneering efforts the country has made have had a positive impact on Qatar’s relationship with the UK.“The lead which Qatar has taken over the last year is greatly appreciated,” he said, and added that there are two types of lead, one is a speaking lead, and another type of lead is actually taking action and Qatar has done that in relation to Libya.He spoke about the continued prevalence of Qatari officials in international political affairs, and praised the country for its role in recent events.“The lead that Qatar has taken is, in a way, I suppose a little bit unusual for countries in the wider region,” he said, noting “and that’s playing well, that’s good, and therefore that makes London look more positively on doing business here.”