Written questions

Trade Agreements: Gulf Cooperation Council

Commons · Question 12539 · Tabled 4 Nov 2024 · Department for Business and Trade · Official record

Answered 11 Nov 2024

Question

Asked by Clive Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, for what reason his Department is pursuing a multilateral free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council rather than bilateral agreements with the member states.

Answer

Answered by Douglas Alexander, 11 Nov 2024

The UK and GCC Member States have agreed to negotiate a GCC-wide FTA, reflecting the opportunities this presents to increase trade and investment with all parties. The GCC is equivalent to the UK’s 9th largest trading partner. During the Call for Input la...