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.
