London: Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi and UK Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade Chris Bryant signed in London the joint statement concluding the negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the GCC and the United Kingdom.

According to Saudi Press Agency, Albudaiwi delivered a speech stating that the signing of this joint statement to declare the successful conclusion of the FTA negotiations represents a qualitative leap in relations between both sides. He emphasized that this step will contribute to cementing the economic pathways of both regions for generations to come, highlighting that this moment was the result of years of effort, political will, and a shared belief between the six GCC member states and the UK in the necessity of deepening economic integration.

He pointed out that this agreement contains a framework designed to achieve tangible, sustainable, and measurable economic benefits for businesses, investors, and citizens across all seven signatory economies. The GCC-UK FTA is a comprehensive and modern trade accord that includes trade in goods and services, financial services, digital trade, investment protection, government procurement, telecommunications, and the movement of natural persons. Albudaiwi noted that within each of these pillars, substantial and sector-specific commitments have been achieved, reflecting the maturity and ambition that characterize this economic relationship.