We’ve just returned from techUK’s first-ever delegation to the Gulf - and what a week it’s been. From Dubai to Riyadh, we engaged with government, industry, and innovation leaders across the region to explore opportunities for U.K. tech in fast-growing Gulf markets. And no rest for the weary - next week, we’re off to Canada for our first delegation to Ottawa. Not stopping! 🙂
Delegation Round-Up: techUK in the Gulf
Our week in the Gulf showcased the U.K. tech sector’s growing footprint across the Middle East. From AI and digital infrastructure to sustainability and smart cities, the region’s appetite for innovation is immense - and British firms are well positioned to help drive that transformation.
Highlights included meetings with the Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), the GITEX massive show in Dubai, and leading local and global companies. The conversations underscored opportunities for greater collaboration in AI governance, digital trade, and emerging technologies.
It’s full steam ahead for AUKUS, as former U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed this week following his meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The trilateral defense pact between the U.S., U.K., and Australia - centered on nuclear-powered submarines and advanced defense tech - remains on course.
For the industry, this signals continuity and reassurance as Washington finalizes the Pentagon’s internal review later this autumn.
On the sidelines, Trump and Albanese also announced a critical minerals investment deal worth $1 billion over six months - bolstering joint projects across the U.S., Australia, and Japan in energy and advanced materials.
G7 Ministers Prepare a Coordinated Minerals Strategy
As supply chain resilience moves up the global agenda, G7 ministers are preparing a collective response to recent Chinese export controls on key minerals used in green and defense technologies.
The G7 Energy and Natural Resources Ministers’ Meeting will take place in Toronto on 30–31 October, hosted by Canada, with the EU invited as a guest participant. Officials are drafting a “term sheet” of measures to boost stockpiling, accelerate partnerships, and expand sustainable mining.
While some countries urge stronger action, others - including the EU - are emphasizing coordination over confrontation, aiming to de-escalate trade tensions. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is due to meet Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Malaysia this week, ahead of a potential Xi–Trump meeting at next month’s APEC summit in South Korea.
Lagarde on Trade Transformation
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde warned this week that the global economy has yet to feel the full impact of tariffs and shifting trade dynamics.
Speaking on U.S. television, she highlighted how tariffs are reshaping global supply chains, squeezing corporate margins, and potentially driving future price increases for consumers. But she also pointed to technological transformation, led by AI, as the second major force redefining global trade - from logistics to data management.
Lagarde struck a measured note on current U.S.–China tensions, describing some of the rhetoric as negotiation posturing and predicting that both sides will ultimately “come to the table” in their mutual economic interest.
EU Tightens Focus on Foreign Investment Screening
The European Commission’s latest report on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) screening, published this month, reveals a 15% rise in notifications since 2021 - reflecting growing vigilance over security risks linked to foreign capital.
In 2024, Member States screened 477 investment cases, with 92% cleared swiftly and about half of in-depth reviews concerning manufacturing, particularly around technology leakage and supply chain integrity.
As discussions continue in Brussels, a new legislative proposal aims to harmonise national screening rules and mandate screening mechanisms across all EU Member States. Negotiations between the Commission, Council, and Parliament are ongoing.
Vietnam’s General Secretary to Visit the U.K.
In a sign of the U.K.’s expanding Indo-Pacific ties, Vietnam’s General Secretary Tô Lâm will make a state visit to the U.K. on 29–30 October - the first by a CPTPP member since Britain formally joined the trade pact last December.
The visit will include meetings with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III and aims to deepen cooperation under the U.K.–Vietnam FTA and the CPTPP framework. Both sides are expected to explore new partnerships in science, technology, innovation, culture, and education.
And Next Stop… Ottawa!
We’ll be back with more updates after our delegation to Canada, where we’ll meet with policymakers and partners in Ottawa to advance U.K.–Canada collaboration in tech, trade, and innovation.
Stay tuned - the world of trade isn’t slowing down, and neither are we.
For more information on any of the above, please contact:
Sabina Ciofu
International Policy and Strategy Lead, techUK
Sabina Ciofu is International Policy and Strategy Lead at techUK, where she heads the International Policy and Trade Programme. Based in Brussels, she shapes global tech policy, digital trade, and regulatory cooperation across the EU, US, Canada, Asia-Pacific, and the Gulf region. She drives strategy, advocacy, and market opportunities for UK tech companies worldwide, ensuring their voice is heard in international policy debates.
With nearly a decade of previous experience as a Policy Advisor in the European Parliament, Sabina brings deep expertise in tech regulation, trade policy, and EU–US relations. Her work focuses on navigating and influencing the global digital economy to deliver real impact for members.
A passionate community-builder, Sabina co-founded Young Professionals in Digital Policy (800+ members) and now runs Old Professionals in Digital Policy (more experience, better wine, earlier nights). She is also the founder of the Gentlewomen’s Club, a network of 500+ women supporting each other with kindness.
She holds advisory roles with the UCL European Institute, Café Transatlantique (a network of women in transatlantic tech policy), and The Nine, Brussels’ first members-only club for women.
Recognised by ComputerWeekly as one of the most influential women in UK tech, Sabina is also a sought-after public speaker on tech, trade and diversity.
Sabina holds an MA in War Studies from King’s College London and a BA in Classics from the University of Cambridge.
techUK International Policy and Trade Programme activities
techUK supports members with their international trade plans and aspirations. We help members to understand market opportunities, tackle market access barriers, and build partnerships in their target market. Visit the programme page here.
techUK Report - Enabling Growth and Resilience: the UK Tech Sector in an Uncertain World
New techUK report outlines key policy recommendations to boost the UK’s growth through the tech sector amid global challenges, emphasising resilience, trade leadership, and strategic investment.
Our members develop strong networks, build meaningful partnerships and grow their businesses as we all work together to create a thriving environment where industry, government and stakeholders come together to realise the positive outcomes tech can deliver.
Senior Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade, techUK
Daniel Clarke
Senior Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade, techUK
Dan joined techUK as a Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade in March 2023.
Before techUK, Dan worked for data and consulting company GlobalData as an analyst of tech and geopolitics. He has also worked in public affairs, political polling, and has written freelance for the New Statesman and Investment Monitor.
Dan has a degree in MSc International Public Policy from University College London, and a BA Geography degree from the University of Sussex.
Outside of work, Dan is a big fan of football, cooking, going to see live music, and reading about international affairs.
Sabina Ciofu is International Policy and Strategy Lead at techUK, where she heads the International Policy and Trade Programme. Based in Brussels, she shapes global tech policy, digital trade, and regulatory cooperation across the EU, US, Canada, Asia-Pacific, and the Gulf region. She drives strategy, advocacy, and market opportunities for UK tech companies worldwide, ensuring their voice is heard in international policy debates.
With nearly a decade of previous experience as a Policy Advisor in the European Parliament, Sabina brings deep expertise in tech regulation, trade policy, and EU–US relations. Her work focuses on navigating and influencing the global digital economy to deliver real impact for members.
A passionate community-builder, Sabina co-founded Young Professionals in Digital Policy (800+ members) and now runs Old Professionals in Digital Policy (more experience, better wine, earlier nights). She is also the founder of the Gentlewomen’s Club, a network of 500+ women supporting each other with kindness.
She holds advisory roles with the UCL European Institute, Café Transatlantique (a network of women in transatlantic tech policy), and The Nine, Brussels’ first members-only club for women.
Recognised by ComputerWeekly as one of the most influential women in UK tech, Sabina is also a sought-after public speaker on tech, trade and diversity.
Sabina holds an MA in War Studies from King’s College London and a BA in Classics from the University of Cambridge.
Theo joined techUK in 2024 as EU Policy Manager. Based in Brussels, he works on our EU policy and engagement.
Theo is an experienced policy adviser who has helped connect EU and non-EU decision makers.
Prior to techUK, Theo worked at the EU delegation to Australia, the Israeli trade mission to the EU, and the City of London Corporation’s Brussels office. In his role, Theo ensures that techUK members are well-informed about EU policy, its origins, and its implications, while also facilitating valuable input to Brussels-based decision-makers.
Theo holds and LLM in International and European law, and an MA in European Studies, both from the University of Amsterdam.
Lewis' programmes cover a range of policy areas within Market Access (international trade regulation, sanctions and export controls, technical standards and product compliance, supply chains) and Consumer Tech (media and broadcast policy, consumer electronics, and connected home technology).
Prior to joining techUK, Lewis worked in government affairs and policy roles for international trade associations in Southeast Asia including the American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce and the European Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia.
He holds an undergraduate degree in Social and Political Sciences from the University of Cambridge and an MSc in Public Policy & Management from SOAS University of London.
Tess joined techUK as an Policy and Public Affairs Team Assistant in November of 2024. In this role, she supports areas such as administration, member communications and media content.
Before joining the Team, she gained experience working as an Intern in both campaign support for MPs and Councilors during the 2024 Local and General Election, and working for the Casimir Pulaski Foundation on defence and international secuirty. She has worked for multiple charities, on issues such as the climate crisis, educational inequality and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). In 2023, Tess obtained her Bachelors of Arts in Politics and International Relations from the University of Nottingham.
Sabina Ciofu is Associate Director – International, running the International Policy and Trade Programme at techUK.
Based in Brussels, she leads our EU policy and engagement. She is also our lead on international trade policy, with a focus on digital trade chapter in FTAs, regulatory cooperation as well as broader engagement with the G7, G20, WTO and OECD.
As a transatlanticist at heart, Sabina is a GMF Marshall Memorial fellow and issue-lead on the EU-US Trade and Technology Council, within DigitalEurope.
Previously, she worked as Policy Advisor to a Member of the European Parliament for almost a decade, where she specialised in tech regulation, international trade and EU-US relations.
Sabina loves building communities and bringing people together. She is the founder of the Gentlewomen’s Club and co-organiser of the Young Professionals in Digital Policy. Previously, as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community, she led several youth civic engagement and gender equality projects.
She sits on the Advisory Board of the University College London European Institute, Café Transatlantique, a network of women in transatlantic technology policy and The Nine, Brussels’ first members-only club designed for women.
Sabina holds an MA in War Studies from King’s College London and a BA in Classics from the University of Cambridge.
