GCC, UK discuss possible FTAs

RIYADH, Jan 24 (KUNA) -- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary General Jassem Al-Budaiwi discussed, Wednesday, with Anne-Marie Trevelyan -- UK's Minister for International Trade -- the issue of Free Trade Agreements (FTA) between the two sides.

Over a videoconference, Al-Budaiwi told Trevelyan that the GCC was looking forward to work on FTAs with several countries and regions to boost its economy and open international and regional markets for Gulf products, according to a GCC statement.
According to UK Government's official website, on November 5-16, 2023, the UK and the GCC held their fifth round of FTA negotiations.
Most of the chapters advanced the draft text of the treaty. Over 40 sessions, technical talks were held covering 21 policy issues. Latest figures show a trade volume of GBP 61.5 billion (USD 78.6 billion). (end) kns.onm.