31 October 2016
The External Relations Minister, Senator Sir Philip Bailhache, visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last week (24 to 26 October 2016).
The visit, which covered Abu Dhabi and Dubai, was part of an ongoing programme of engagement with the UAE and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. It followed the ratification last month of the Jersey-UAE double taxation agreement, which was signed earlier this year in the UAE by the Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst.
During his visit, Senator Bailhache met Emirati Government Ministers and senior diplomatic and business representatives, including: the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, HE Dr Anwar Gargash; the Chairman of Abu Dhabi Global Market, HE Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh; the Director of the Office of the Ministry Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation in Dubai, HE Abdulrahman Almutaiwee (former UAE Ambassador to the UK); the Chairman of UAE Banks Federation HE Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair; the Governor of the UAE Central Bank, HE Mubarak Rashid Khamis Al Mansouri.
Senator Bailhache said: “For many years, Jersey has been strengthening its ties with the UAE and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. It has always been a part of our vision for the Island that we would diversify our business relationships to include key partners outside the UK and the EU, and this is particularly important now, in the light of the UK’s recent referendum on EU membership. I am pleased to have been able to build on the firm and long-standing relations that have been established in the UAE during my previous visits, as well as those undertaken by the Chief Minister and other ministerial colleagues past and present.”
The Director General of the Jersey Financial Services Commission, John Harris, accompanied Senator Bailhache on the visit.
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