Britain looks to the Gulf to boost post-Brexit trade
May 7, 2022, 9:05 am

Britain looks to the Gulf to boost post-Brexit trade

Today the Prime Minister is visiting the UAE and Saudi Arabia for talks on energy, regional security and international diplomacy as part of the UK’s work to galvanise global action on the invasion of Ukraine (File photo: UK Prime Minister Twitter page)

The Euronews reported, the UK is hoping to enter negotiations in the coming months for a free trade agreement with the GCC in a bid to boost bilateral trade.

Simon Penney, Her Majesty's Trade Commissioner for the Middle East and Her Majesty's Consul General to Dubai and the Northern Emirates told Euronews: "We're currently at the stage now where we're working with our GCC hosts and looking at what that mandate will look like as we seek to enter negotiations."

The GCC is the UK's third largest export market globally outside of the European Union, behind the United States of America and China.

Trade between the GCC and UK exceeded more than 46bn euros before COVID with British exports amounting to 25bn euros in 2020.

"[It] is a very strong foundation on which we are building our trade relationship going forward," Simon Penney said, adding "It's across a whole spectrum of sectors and industries that matter both to the United Kingdom, but also and arguably, more importantly, to the economic transformation that is happening here in the Gulf."

The UAE is the UK's 25th largest trading partner globally and the free trade agreement will cement the UK's relationships across the wider GCC in the post Brexit era.

Boris Johnson visits Saudi Arabia and the UAE in pursuit of additional oil flows

"It's a huge opportunity for us as the UK, but most importantly for British businesses who are looking for new markets to expand." Simon Penney also told Euronews.

"It gives us a higher degree of sort of independence and the ability for us to chart our own future with the Gulf in the Middle East."

A Dubai resident for over 13 years, Simon Penney described how the emirate has positioned itself as a global business destination hub.

Boris Johnson arrives in UAE, Saudi Arabia to press for more oil

"It's gone through an exceptional transformation…you're seeing significant economic transformation occurring, and that is going to continue for years and decades to come."

Source: euronews

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.