GCC, UK Agree to Proceed with Free Trade Agreement This Year

Albudaiwi meets with UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds in London. (SPA)
Albudaiwi meets with UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds in London. (SPA)
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GCC, UK Agree to Proceed with Free Trade Agreement This Year

Albudaiwi meets with UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds in London. (SPA)
Albudaiwi meets with UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds in London. (SPA)

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said on Wednesday the GCC and United Kingdom are in agreement over the importance of proceeding towards finalizing negotiations for a free-trade agreement (FTA).

He added that the two parties will sign the agreement this year.

Albudaiwi met in London with UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds.

Albudaiwi said he sensed a strong interest from the new British government and a sincere desire to complete the negotiation rounds for the FTA. Reynolds expressed the desire to have the agreement signed before the end of 2024.

The officials discussed various topics of mutual interest, focusing on economic and trade relations between the GCC and the UK, and ways to boost and develop them.

Both sides aspired to accelerate the pace of FTA negotiations and hold regular meetings between senior officials to finalize its chapters and sign it this year. This is seen as a step to bolster cooperation and the strategic partnership between the GCC and the UK.



Saudi Arabia Achieves 66% Grape Self-Sufficiency

The growth in grape production is a result of initiatives aimed at developing agricultural production chains and stimulating investment in competitive crops. - SPA
The growth in grape production is a result of initiatives aimed at developing agricultural production chains and stimulating investment in competitive crops. - SPA
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Saudi Arabia Achieves 66% Grape Self-Sufficiency

The growth in grape production is a result of initiatives aimed at developing agricultural production chains and stimulating investment in competitive crops. - SPA
The growth in grape production is a result of initiatives aimed at developing agricultural production chains and stimulating investment in competitive crops. - SPA

The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture reported that Saudi Arabia's grape production surpassed 122,000 tons in 2023, reflecting the robust growth of the local agricultural sector and its ability to meet significant market demands.

This production has contributed to a 66% self-sufficiency rate, strengthening national food security and reducing reliance on imports, according to SPA.
The Kingdom's grape industry comprises over 7.1 million grape trees, with more than 6.1 million bearing fruit, underscoring the sector's productive capacity. The diversity and quality of local grape varieties have made them highly competitive in domestic markets.
This variety also supports processing industries, enabling the production of natural juices, jams, raisins, and other food products, thereby enhancing the agricultural sector’s economic value in line with Vision 2030 goals.
The ministry continues to support farmers by providing access to modern technologies such as smart irrigation and organic farming practices to improve productivity, quality, and water resource efficiency.

The growth in grape production is a result of initiatives aimed at developing agricultural production chains and stimulating investment in competitive crops.