The Gulf Cooperation Council and the United Kingdom are set to sign a comprehensive free trade agreement on Wednesday, marking the conclusion of extensive negotiations, according to GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi.
This agreement is designed to enhance the strategic partnership between the two regions and to strengthen economic, commercial and investment relationships.
Albudaiwi indicated that the agreement supports the initiatives of the GCC’s six member states — Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman — to diversify their economic bases by engaging with global markets.
Discussions regarding a trade deal commenced in 2017, prompted by the UK’s decision to exit the European Union, with formal negotiations initiating in June 2022.
In a statement made in October 2025, the British finance minister expressed optimism that the free trade agreement would create “huge opportunities for the UK, for Saudi Arabia and the other GCC countries to access UK capital markets.”
The UK government’s analysis suggests a UK-GCC FTA would increase GDP by between £1.6B-£3.1B a year by 2036, equivalent to an increase in long-term UK GDP of between 0.06-0.11%.
Upon finalisation, this agreement will position the UK as the first G7 nation to establish a free trade agreement with the GCC.
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