ISDS Case Map
GCC
Building upon the progress made, last year in November, India and the GCC countries expressed their commitment to pursuing a FTA and resumed negotiations.
The fourth round will be held in two sessions; remote as well as in-person meetings in London.
The primary objective in the trade negotiations with the GCC is to have “an ambitious and comprehensive agreement,” said the British Trade Commissioner to the Middle East and Pakistan.
Kemi Badenoch, the recently appointed British Secretary of State for Business and Trade, has expressed optimism about the ongoing negotiations for a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-UK free trade agreement.
The United Arab Emirates is increasingly pursuing bilateral trade deals outside of the Saudi-headquartered regional Gulf Cooperation Council, as competition with Riyadh intensifies for economic dominance in the oil-rich region.
The UK should be willing to walk away from trade negotiations with Gulf states rather than accept an agreement that fails to address human rights and environmental concerns, MPs have said.
The British government's investment minster has said the third round of talks that could eventually lead to a free trade agreement between the UK and the GCC have been completed successfully and a fourth session should be held in London later this year.
As negotiators sat down for talks in Saudi capital Riyadh, Britain’s Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch welcomed the early progress in trade relations with Gulf nations as hopes of a £1.6 billion pact increase.
South Korea is continuing negotiations on a free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council to enhance its energy security and improve the economics of importing sour crude from the Middle East.
The intent of a free trade deal has been announced and meetings will start soon, says a source.
