While the situation in Afghanistan is set to be the top priority in talks, Ms Truss is also eager to use her experience from when she was International Trade Secretary to increase export opportunities for Britain. Before being reshuffled in September, Ms Truss agreed 68 trade deals with nations around the world. Securing the agreements in just two years, her performance made her a favourite among Tory members. The Foreign Secretary said ahead of her trip: Closer security and economic ties with Gulf allies will help us deliver jobs and opportunities for people back in the UK and ensure as friends and partners that we are operating from a position of strength in the world. READ MORE: SNP demands seat at table with Brexiteers and federalists.
I want a closer trading and investment relationship with the Gulf and for us to collaborate more closely on issues like intelligence sharing, development, security and defence. The visit is her first visit to the region since taking over the role from Dominic Raab. Her discussions come just weeks after preparations got underway for a trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council GCC Trade with the GCC, which includes Saudi Arabia and Qatar among its members, is already worth more than 30 billion. It is hoped a free trade deal will help increase investment opportunities for industries such as digital trade, services and green growth. Over 597 million of British food and drink exports headed to GCC countries last year, including lamb, biscuits and chocolate. Truss to push ahead with 46 billion trade deal talks in India INSIGHT UK issued stark warning about diverging from Brexit deal UPDATE Fury as EU throws Article 16 tantrum over 80 bn scheme REACTION On October 8 International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan launched a 14 week consultation with the public and businesses to ensure a future deal reflects the UK s best interests. She said at the time: A trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council is a huge opportunity to liberalise trade with a growing market for British business and deepen ties with a region that is vital to our strategic interests. We want a comprehensive, modern, comprehensive agreement that breaks down trade barriers to a huge food and drink market and in areas like digital trade and renewable energy which will deliver well-paid jobs in all parts of the United Kingdom. The UK sees green energy as an industry ripe to boost the UK's trade links around the world as countries look at moving away from traditional energy sources such as fossil fuels.