David Burt’s trip to a fintech conference in the United Arab Emirates included a meeting with Jonathan Knight, Britain’s Acting Ambassador to the UAE and Deputy Head of Mission.

The Premier said UK support for the island’s bid to attract investment from overseas was “vital”.

Mr Burt, who is also the finance minister, travelled to the Middle East to attend the exclusive weeklong Satoshi Roundtable conference in Dubai.

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The annual meeting offers a private space for participants to “freely discuss current events, obstacles, and opportunities in the blockchain space”, according to its website.

The Premier said the meeting with Mr Knight afforded the opportunity to introduce him to Alexia Hefti, Bermuda’s Middle East representative.

He posted on X that it had been impossible to meet in December when he attended the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference, also known as the 28th Conference of the Parties, because the UK mission had been “occupied with COP”.

Ms Hefti is Bermuda’s representative in the Gulf Co-operation Council, an economic and political union comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia as well as the UAE.

Mr Burt said it was “important to officially introduce our representative in the GCC to the UK mission, who have pledged their support”.

He added: “I am grateful for the commitments given by the UK’s embassy in the UAE as we look to enhance Bermuda’s relationship in this vital region of the world.”

Bermuda also advertised itself as a “top-tier” business jurisdiction with a supplement in the Gulf News for the climate summit.

Bermuda and the UAE have strengthened their business ties, with the Emirates Family Office Association looking to establish a physical presence here this year in family wealth management services.

The island seeks to cement its reputation as a regulatory hub for the emerging fintech industry, with several companies prominent in the UAE.