Neerav Patel
Last week, the United Kingdom launched one of the most significant economic plans for many years – a new industrial strategy that identifies and organises the priority sectors and subsectors that will form the backbone of the future British economy.
This is more than a domestic policy shift—it is an open invitation to our global partners, including Qatar, to join us in shaping the industries of the future.
The strategy is a 10-year plan to deliver long-term, sustainable growth by focusing on eight high-potential sectors: advanced manufacturing, clean energy, creative industries, defence, digital and technology, financial services, life sciences, and professional and business services. These are areas where the UK has a world-class competitive advantage, and where we see immense potential for international collaboration.
What makes this strategy different is its foundation in stability and partnership. For the first time, the UK has established a state-led Industrial Strategy Council – combining government and business with a clear focus on delivery. This is a clear signal to investors: the UK is committed to long-term planning and execution. Professionalism and predictability, not volatility and bombast.
There is real opportunity for Qatar. Our two countries share deep, historic economic ties, underpinned especially in energy, defence, finance and technology. The UK’s new industrial strategy opens the door to deepen this further—through co-investment, joint ventures, and knowledge exchange. For example:
• In Advanced Manufacturing, we are investing in advanced materials and robotics, areas where the UK’s research base is world-class. This aligns with Qatar’s ambitions to diversify its industrial base and develop high-tech manufacturing capabilities.
• In Life Sciences, the UK’s strengths in genomics, and biopharmaceuticals present opportunities for collaboration with Qatar’s growing healthcare and biotech sectors, particularly through institutions like Sidra Medicine and Qatar Foundation.
• In Digital and Technologies, the UK is advancing in AI, cybersecurity, and quantum computing. These are areas where Qatar is also investing heavily, especially through initiatives like TASMU and the Qatar National Artificial Intelligence Strategy. A joint research commission on AI is already exploring ways in which the two countries could enhance our bilateral collaboration in this critical area.
• In Financial Services, the UK remains a global hub for green finance, fintech, and Islamic finance—all of which resonate with Qatar’s vision to become a regional financial centre.
These partnerships, across all eight priority sectors, will help to boost the growth and transformation of both our economies.
Our approach is deliberately internationalist. The UK is an open, trading nation that recognises that global partnerships are essential to growth. At a time of significant disruption to the global economic system, we believe that the only effective response is in coordination with our partners. In the past few weeks we have concluded deals with the EU, India and the US, as well as the 12 countries of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
We also want to advance trade here, too. The UK is negotiating a Free Trade Agreement with the GCC that could boost trade by 16% and inject £2.8bn (QR13.7bn) annually into our economies. We hope that our negotiators can conclude very soon.
As British Ambassador to Qatar, it is my privilege to see firsthand the extraordinary things that our countries are accomplishing together, and to help chart a path to a prosperous, sustainable, and shared future. The UK’s new industrial strategy is an important step on this journey. It is a plan that respects business, values innovation, and welcomes global partners, and it provides a roadmap for how we can turn ambition into action.
It is also a call to action: the UK is open for business. Partners in both our countries need to seize the opportunities in front of us.
