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GCC

The Gulf Cooperation Council (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, with Yemen hoping to join by 2016) is dealing head-on with bilateral free trade agreements at various levels. On the one hand, it has gone through a lot of tension as its member countries have been drawn into individual bilateral treaties with foreign powers like the United States, including with a major row between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain when Bahrain signed with Washington. On the other hand, it has been working as a group to establish FTAs with others, including Australia, China, Mercosur, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Turkey, New Zealand, India, Iran, ASEAN and the European Union. It signed an FTA with Syria in 2005, and more recently with Singapore (2008) and EFTA (2009).

last update: May 2012
photo: US Department of State/Wikimedia Commons

GCC inks free trade deal with South Korea
Current Affairs | 29-Dec-2023
The GCC deepens economic ties with major Asian partners, signing its second FTA this year, highlighting commitment to investment and economic diversification.
: energy , GCC , intellectual property , Korea , UAE
’GCC-China FTA soon; plans afoot to upgrade pact with Singapore’
Gulf Times | 11-Dec-2023
The Gulf Co-operation Council will soon enter into free trade agreement with China and the region is in advanced stage of negotiations with South Korea; while it seeks to upgrade agreement with Singapore.
: China , GCC , Korea , Singapore
’Good progress’ made in free trade talks between GCC and UK
The National | 24-Nov-2023
UK government confirms that fifth round of talks aimed at creating a free trade agreement with the GCC successfully concluded in Riyadh.
: GCC , UK
Turkiye and GCC states aim to propel ties to new heights
Arab News | 20-Nov-2023
The Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General emphasized the resumption of talks between Turkiye and the GCC states regarding a free trade agreement.
: GCC , Turkey
Saudi Arabia intends to sign more free trade agreements – report
Zawya | 30-Oct-2023
Trade talks will be negotiated through the six-nation GCC bloc, says economy minister.
: GCC , Saudi Arabia
GCC-China discuss free trade agreement
Muscat Daily | 23-Oct-2023
Jasem Mohamed al Budaiwi, Secretary-General of GCC, stressed that the free trade agreement between the GCC countries and China, which is currently being negotiated, will undoubtedly be one of the important factors in strengthening GCC-China relations in all fields, especially economic and investments.
: China , GCC