The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the UK have kicked off negotiations on Monday for a free-trade pact.
The initial round of talks on the two-way trade agreement will continue till Thursday, August 25.
Addressing the opening session of the first stage of the free trade talks, Dr. Nayef Al Hajraf, Secretary-General of GCC, hoped that the talks would lead to an ambitious Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and open new horizons for joint investment, according to a press statement issued by the GCC Secretariat.
Dr Al Hajraf also highlighted the importance of the friendly relations between the GCC states and the UK in serving the common interests of both sides.
The first stage of negotiations for the free trade pact followed a joint statement signed with British Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan on June 22, the GCC Secretary-General said.
Leaders of the GCC member states believe that these negotiations would deepen the strategic partnership in all economic, trade and investment fields, he added.
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