The Lord Mayor of London, has said he aims to strengthen the capital’s commercial ties with Israel ahead of his visit to the country next week.

Charles Bowman will meet government and business leaders, regulators, and trade bodies in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, to discuss how the City of London can work more closely with Israel and financial and professional services.

He will also hold talks on with senior Israeli politicians, including Eli Cohen, the Minister of Economy and Industry on a potential free trade deal.

The Lord Mayor, who is acts as an ambassador for the UK’s financial and professional services industry, will also meet Palestinian business leaders in the Occupied Territories.

Mr Bowman, who is London's 690th Lord Mayor, said there were “many excellent opportunities” for British companies “to do business in Israel – not least in capital markets, infrastructure finance, cyber and fintech.

“Following the UK’s decision to leave the European Union, it is more important than ever that we build our links with vibrant and growing markets across the world.”

Mr Bowman added that he was “humbled to have been invited to lay a wreath at Yad Vashem and pay my respects”.