His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), met with Mr Jonathan Reynolds, Secretary of State for Business and Trade in the United Kingdom, today, Thursday, June 12, 2025, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Business and Trade in London.
During the meeting, trade and investment relations between the GCC countries and the United Kingdom were discussed, as well as ways to elevate them, foremost of which was a review of the latest developments in the negotiations for the free trade agreement between the two sides.
The two sides affirmed their aspiration to strengthen joint work and efforts to complete the rounds of negotiations for the free trade agreement in preparation for signing it during this year 2025.
Commenting on the meeting, His Excellency the Secretary General explained that he discussed with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade the outstanding issues in these negotiations, and exchanged views on the opportunities available to remove these obstacles in a way that preserves the common interests of both sides.
His Excellency concluded by saying that the GCC countries are always seeking to strengthen their investment and trade relations by creating joint opportunities and signing free trade agreements with a number of countries and organisations in the world, in a way that benefits their people with development and prosperity.
