07 May 2014
Treasury and Resources Minister, Senator Philip Ozouf, has visited Qatar and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia this week (4-7 May) as part of an ongoing programme to develop Jersey’s business and political links with the region. He was accompanied on the visit by the Deputy CEO of Jersey Finance, Richard Corrigan. Senator Ozouf’s visit also coincides with Chief Minister, Ian Gorst’s vsit to the United Arab Emirates.
In Qatar (4-5 May), Senator Ozouf met the Qatari Minister of Finance, His Excellency Ali Shareef Al-Emadi – their third meeting since October 2013.
Senator Ozouf said “When the Government of Jersey’s financial services policy framework was launched just a mater of weeks ago, I reiterated our commitment to supporting and enabling the continued growth and diversification of the Island’s financial services industry. Mine and the Chief Minister’s visits to the Gulf region this week is proof that we are prepared to make good on that commitment. Qatar is a significant outbound and UK investor, and discussions during my visit focussed on the desire to further strengthen economic and financial ties between Jersey and the State of Qatar.”
Senator Ozouf also met His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al-Thani, Minister of Economy and Commerce, State of Qatar. Further meetings were held at the British Embassy in Qatar and with senior representatives from the financial services industry in Qatar.
On 6 and& May, Senator Ozouf visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), where he was invited to speak at the Euromoney Saudi Arabia conference in Riyadh. The first Jersey Minister to visit KSA, Senator Ozouf met the country’s Minister of Finance, His Excellency Dr Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al-Assaf.
Senator Ozouf commented “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as being an important member of the G20, is a strong economic force in the Gulf region. This is the first time that a Jersey minister has been able to represent the Island at a prestigious event in the country, and as a result of this speech and media interviews given afterwards, we have significantly raised Jersey’s profile in the country. We look forward to strengthening relations with the Saudi Government and business community.”
Senator Ozouf also met officials at the British Embassy in Riyadh.
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