Economic relations between Gulf states and UK

This file concerns economic relations between Britain and the Gulf States, including the promotion of trade and investment in joint development projects, in the context of the economic crisis which followed the 1973 Yom Kippur War and HMG's search for new economic opportunities. It contains correspondence relating to:

• Issues around the printing of bank notes for Middle Eastern states in Britain by Thomas De La Rue and Company Limited and Bradbury Wilkinson, whose work is affected by the three-day working week in Britain
• Proposals for joint ventures and industrialisation projects in the Gulf
• English language teaching by the British Council, and a suggestion of starting English language teaching by private companies
• Tables displaying all projects underway or under consideration in the Gulf, the countries and companies involved, and estimated costs
• Issues around British exports to the Gulf States, including British Leyland’s sale of Land Rovers to Oman
• The activities of British banks in the Gulf; including the promotion of British financial services; and the creation of an Arab-British merchant bank in Dubai, Oryx Investments Limited
• The loss of International Aeradio Limited’s contract to run Seeb International Airport in Oman to Pan American World Airways
• The possibility of creating an Anglo-Arab Chamber of Commerce
• Possible Anglo-Arab joint ventures in third countries, e.g. in Africa
• Proposals for trade missions to and from the Gulf States
• The question of taxation for British nationals working in the Gulf
• A proposal that HMG provide financial guarantees to British consortia undertaking large-scale overseas development projects; entitled ‘Great Britain Limited’
• The Euro-Arab Dialogue, and questions around the extent of collaboration with the European Economic Community (EEC) in Middle East trade
• A suggestion to create economic advisory posts in HMG’s diplomatic missions in oil-producing countries