Written statement (Wales) on UK-Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement - May 21

Rhun ap Iorwerth MS, First Minister: The UK government announced on 20 May that it has concluded negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

The GCC is a regional, intergovernmental, political, and economic union that comprises six countries – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. 

The GCC countries are important trading partners for Wales in sectors such as machinery and transport equipment. Goods trade between the GCC member countries and Wales was valued at £1.9bn in 2025 of which imports and exports were valued at £968.4m and £899.6m respectively.