HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani holding talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron at No 10 Downing  Street in London yesterday.

Reuters

London

Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday urged Qatar to invest more in infrastructure projects across Britain during an official visit from HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.

Cameron urged Sheikh Tamim to consider further funding to help Britain’s push to develop cities in the north of the country and connect them to London using a high-speed rail line, a statement released by his office said.

Qatar is already heavily invested in British firms and property.

Among its highest-profile investments are London’s tallest building, the Shard, and the upmarket Harrods department store owned by sovereign wealth fund Qatar Investment Authority.

“The prime minister ... encouraged the Emir to consider more opportunities across the country, particularly the government’s plan to establish a Northern Powerhouse by connecting our great Northern cities and the development of high speed rail,” the statement said.

Earlier this week the British government said it was backing the development of a fast rail link between the English cities of Leeds and Manchester, in addition to an existing £43bn ($68.88bn) plan to develop high speed links to London.

During the Emir’s state visit, which also included a meeting with Queen Elizabeth as well as senior politicians and executives, the two countries signed an agreement setting out a framework for further talks on issues such as defence, energy and trade.

 “They discussed the role both countries are playing in the coalition to tackle ISIL (IS), and the importance of all countries working to tackle extremism and support to terrorist organisations,” the British statement said.