GCC States’ GDP Projected to Reach $6 Trillion in 2025

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Reuters)
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Reuters)
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GCC States’ GDP Projected to Reach $6 Trillion in 2025

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Reuters)
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Reuters)

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi affirmed that GCC countries hold a significant economic status globally, with the GDP reaching approximately USD2.1 trillion in 2023.

AlBudaiwi projected the GDP of GCC countries will reach $6 trillion by 2025.

The Secretary-General’s remarks came as he participated in the Gulf dialogue session, held as part of the Asian Financial Forum 2025 sessions in Hong Kong, with the participation of the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and a number of senior economic officials from the GCC countries.

The total sovereign financial assets in the GCC countries amounted to around $3.2 trillion, accounting for 33% of the total sovereign assets worldwide, Albudaiwi added.

Albudaiwi highlighted that the GCC countries hold the top global ranking in crude oil reserves and production, and also lead in natural gas reserves, while ranking third globally in natural gas production.

He underscored that the GCC’s balanced policies have contributed to the stability of energy markets by providing secure and stable supplies of oil and gas to global markets.

The Secretary-General mentioned that the GCC's significant economic potential creates numerous opportunities for cooperation with Hong Kong, a leading Asian financial center.



Moscow Poses No Threat to Britain, Says Russia's UK Embassy

A view shows the Kremlin Wall and the State Historical Museum in central Moscow, Russia August 21, 2024. (Reuters)
A view shows the Kremlin Wall and the State Historical Museum in central Moscow, Russia August 21, 2024. (Reuters)
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Moscow Poses No Threat to Britain, Says Russia's UK Embassy

A view shows the Kremlin Wall and the State Historical Museum in central Moscow, Russia August 21, 2024. (Reuters)
A view shows the Kremlin Wall and the State Historical Museum in central Moscow, Russia August 21, 2024. (Reuters)

Russia's embassy in London said on Tuesday that Moscow had no intention of attacking Britain, rejecting accusations by the British government of growing aggression and daily cyberattacks.

Britain said on Monday it would radically change its approach to defense to address new threats, including from Russia, after endorsing the findings of an independently-produced Strategic Defense Review.

After unveiling the defense overhaul on Monday, Healey said Europe was facing war, growing Russian aggression, new nuclear risks and daily cyberattacks, Reuters reported.

Russia's embassy issued a statement on Tuesday criticizing what it described as "a fresh salvo of anti-Russian rhetoric".

"Russia poses no threat to the United Kingdom and its people," the statement said. "We harbor no aggressive intentions and have no plans to attack Britain. We are not interested in doing so, nor do we need to."

Relations between Russia and Britain are at their lowest level since the Cold War. They deteriorated further after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Britain and other NATO members have provided large amounts of military aid and other support to Kyiv.

China's embassy in London also criticised Britain's defense review, saying in a statement on Tuesday that the document deliberately misrepresented Beijing's defense policy to justify British military expansion.

The review had described China as "a sophisticated and persistent challenge", citing its rapid military modernisation, including an expanded nuclear arsenal, and saying Beijing was likely using espionage and cyberattacks, and stealing intellectual property.