GCC, South Korea Conclude 5th Round of FTA Negotiations

A night view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
A night view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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GCC, South Korea Conclude 5th Round of FTA Negotiations

A night view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
A night view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and South Korea concluded in Riyadh on Thursday the fifth round of negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA), reported the Saudi Press Agency.

The two sides launched their negotiations on June 6, during which they tackled many topics aimed at increasing the flow of intra-trade, boosting investments, and opening global markets to the exports of the GCC member states.

General Coordinator of Negotiations and Head of the GCC Negotiating Team, Abdurrahman bin Ahmed Al-Harbi stated that such agreements are in line with the directives of the leaders of GCC member states that aim at strengthening the position of the Council and supporting its strategic relations with its partners around the world.

He said the agreement, which is under negotiation, will help bolster common gains, stimulate economic, commercial and investment growth in the GCC countries, support entrepreneurship and strengthen the business sectors in the GCC countries.



King Salman Orders One-Year Extension of the Citizen Account Program

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. (SPA)
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King Salman Orders One-Year Extension of the Citizen Account Program

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. (SPA)

Upon the recommendation of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud ordered on Monday that the Citizen Account Program be extended, in its current framework, until the end of 2025.

The directive also includes a one-year extension of the additional support to the program’s beneficiaries, as well as the continuation of the program’s registration process.

The royal directive reflects the Saudi leadership’s keenness on citizens. The additional support to the program’s beneficiaries was already extended under a royal directive in July 2022.