§ 31. Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the Minister for Trade's visit to the Gulf states.
§ Mr. ChannonI had useful meetings with a large number of Ministers and with the resident British588W businessmen in Kuwait, Oman and YAR. I was also able to see some of the projects in which British firms are involved. The 1985 trade figures to date show good increases in United Kingdom exports to all three markets. My visit confirmed that each will continue to offer worthwhile opportunities for British goods and services in 1986. Provided we are competitive we should be able to increase our market shares. We enjoy substantial surpluses in our trade with all three countries. In Kuwait and Oman there was new emphasis on reciprocity. United Kingdom suppliers and project bidders will find it in their own interests to maximise the local content of their offers. In all three countries there is a strong desire for more British investment in joint ventures.