The United Kingdom is set to benefit from enhanced trade and cooperation efforts to combat illegal migration as Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani meets with UK Prime Minister
Keir Starmer at Downing Street.
During the visit, both leaders will announce a substantial export package worth up to £12.3 billion. This initiative is aimed at expanding opportunities for British businesses and fostering economic growth in both nations as part of the UK’s Plan for Change.
Boosting trade relations
A central component of the talks will be the unveiling of the £12.3 billion export package—approximately ten times the value of last year’s trade between the UK and Iraq. This package includes several key export agreements designed to strengthen the bilateral trade relationship. These measures are expected to create significant new opportunities for British businesses and contribute to the UK’s goal of sustained economic growth.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed optimism about the strengthened partnership, stating:
“Today marks a new era in UK-Iraq cooperation, which will deliver mutual benefits from trade to defence, as we continue to work together towards stability in the wider region.
It’s clear that Iraq shares our priority of delivering economic growth and the £12.3 billion export package being unveiled today offers huge opportunities for British businesses, representing a step-change in the trade and investment relationship between our two countries".
Tackling illegal migration
The leaders will also initiate discussions on a bespoke migrant returns agreement. This new deal is expected to facilitate the swift return of individuals who have no legal right to remain in the UK. By doing so, it aims to enhance UK border security and disrupt people-smuggling networks.
Commenting on the proposed agreement, Prime Minister Starmer said:
"Secure borders are a vital foundation of our Plan for Change, so I am also very pleased get started on talks for a bespoke returns agreement between our countries. The deal will help dismantle the people smugglers’ business model by sending the clear message that if you come here illegally, you cannot expect to stay”.
Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Agreement
As part of the visit, the leaders will sign a landmark Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. This agreement aims to leverage UK private sector expertise in key sectors such as water, energy, telecommunications, and defence infrastructure, paving the way for future investment and major projects.
Jonathan Reynolds, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, highlighted the significance of the agreement:
“This yet another vote of confidence in Britain. As an open, proud trading nation our trade strategy will build upon deals like this to strengthen our economy. This announcement reflects our evolving bilateral relationship and represents a step forward in our growing trade partnership.
This agreement – a significant £12 billion export package, helped by our UK Export Finance - will give UK and Iraqi business more certainty and help lead to growth and genuine shared benefits for both our economies”.
Enhancing border security
In addition to trade and economic cooperation, the UK and Iraq will mark the export of £66.5 million worth of equipment aimed at strengthening Iraq’s border security and disrupting smuggling operations. This move is part of the UK government’s broader Plan for Change, which includes securing borders and driving economic growth.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper commented on the significance of the border security measures:
“When I signed the landmark deal with Iraq in November, it was a clear signal of our commitment to dismantle the criminal smuggling gangs together.
Our world-first security agreement with Iraq is already showing its impact. By strengthening border security with our Border Security Command, enhancing intelligence-sharing, and providing additional funding to support Iraq’s law enforcement capabilities, we’re targeting people smuggling gangs where it hurts.
Today is the next step in ensuring this important partnership with Iraq goes from strength to strength. As a result, we are making it harder for criminals to exploit vulnerable people, and ultimately we are bringing them to justice”.
New sanctions regime on people smugglers
Last week, the UK launched the world’s first standalone sanctions regime specifically targeting people smugglers. Expected to be implemented within the year, this regime will clamp down on illicit financing networks that profit from facilitating illegal migration.
Strengthening regional stability
The meeting with Prime Minister Al Sudani follows the UK Prime Minister’s December visit to the Gulf, aimed at supporting regional stability and ensuring security at home. As part of today’s discussions, a joint statement will be signed to deepen the UK’s defence cooperation with Iraq, a decade after the establishment of the Global Coalition’s mission in Iraq, which led to the territorial defeat of Daesh.
The strengthened UK-Iraq relationship signals a new chapter of collaboration in areas ranging from trade and investment to border security and regional stability, with both nations committed to mutual growth and prosperity. Photo by RachelH_, Wikimedia commons.