§ Mr. VazTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what meetings have taken place since 1 May involving representatives from her Department at which trade and investment in(a) Oman and (b) Yemen were discussed; and how many meetings she and her ministers have had with representatives of the (i) Oman and (ii) Yemeni Governments. [34554]
§ Mrs. RocheSince 1 May 1997 the following significant occasions, involving representatives of the DTI, have included discussions on trade and investment in Oman
Omani Minister for Commerce's meeting with Lord Clinton-Davis and discussion at the Middle East Association—October 1997.Omani Minister for National Economy's meeting with Lord Clinton-Davis and discussion at the Middle East Association—February 1998.Lord Mayor of London's visit to Oman—September 1997.Chairman of the British Overseas Trade Board's visit to Oman— February 1998.Oman British Friendship Association's meeting in London— July 1997.Since 1 May 1997 the following significant occasions, involving representatives of the DTI, have included discussions on trade and investment in Yemen:
81WCommittee for Middle East Trade Round Table with Yemeni businessmen—September 1997.Invest in Yemen Seminar in London—September 1997. President of Yemen's visit to UK as Guest of Government—November 1997. Minister for Trade visit to Yemen—November 1997.DTI officials and Export Promoters have such frequent meetings on trade and investment on Oman and Yemen that it is not possible to list them.
Since 1 May 1997 DTI Ministers have had four meetings with Omani government representatives and eight meetings with Yemeni government representatives.
§ Mr. VazTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the current level of British investment in Oman. [34548]
§ Mrs. RocheAt the end of 1996, the latest year for which figures are available, the net book value of direct investment by UK firms in Oman was £40 million. The value is negative because UK groups' liabilities to their subsidiaries and branches in Oman are greater than the share capital and reserves of the subsidiaries using the balance of payments methodology. During 1996, the flow of direct investment by UK firms into Oman was £7 million.
§ Mr. VazTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the current level of trade between Britain and Oman. [34549]
§ Mrs. RocheIn 1997, total trade in goods between the United Kingdom and Oman was worth £476 million. The value of UK exports of goods was £370 million, while the value of UK imports was £105 million. Information on trade in services with Oman is not available.
82WInformation on UK trade in goods with Oman over the last 5 years is given in the following table
£ million Year UK exports UK imports Total trade 1993 306 82 388 1994 364 78 442 1995 448 74 522 1996 416 87 503 1997 370 105 476 Note:
Because of rounding, there may be slight discrepancies between the totals shown and the sums of constituent parts.
Source:
HM Customs and Excise Business Monitor MM20.
§ Mr. VazTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to visit(a) Yemen and (b) Oman. [34553]
§ Mrs. RocheI have no plans to visit(a) Yemen or (b) Oman in the immediate future. However, since 1 May 1997 DTI Ministers have had four meetings with Omani government representatives and eight meetings with Yemeni government representatives.