GCC eyes closer trade ties with UK - chief

RIYADH, May 24 (KUNA) -- The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) seeks to bolster its trade and investment relations with the United Kingdom, the bloc's secretary general Jassim Al-Bedaiwi said on Wednesday, citing a recent round of talks between both sides.

Greater trade relations would help bring progress to ongoing talks over a bilateral free trade agreement, the Riyadh-based bloc's chief told UK Trade Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities Kemi Badenoch, who is also a lawmaker in Britain's parliament.
A fresh round of talks on the matter is slated for July in the British capital London, according to a GCC statement. (end) mdm.nam.