Tag: 2026

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 20 May 2026.

Wages and GDP to see boost as UK and Gulf strike historic multi-billion-pound trade deal.

• Deal could boost the UK economy by an estimated £3.7 billion every year and increase wages by £1.9 billion annually in the long run.  
• UK becomes the first G7 country to agree trade deal with the GCC, bolstering our partnership with a strategically vital region and securing economic resilience at home.  
• Deal removes tariffs on food exports, medical equipment and advanced manufacturing, plus first-of-its-kind GCC commitments on free flow of data. 

The UK could see a boost to growth and higher wages for decades to come after becoming the first G7 country to secure a trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) today – strengthening our economic partnership with the region, supporting jobs in the long term, and bolstering domestic resilience. 

The announcement reflects the UK’s solidarity and long-term cooperation with its Gulf partners – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE – and our shared commitment to open trade, mutual prosperity, and long-term economic success.  

This will remove an estimated £580m in duties a year, based on current UK exports to the GCC, once the agreement is fully implemented, with £360 million worth of this to be removed on day one of the agreement entering into force – as well as renewed certainty for services firms, making it easier for UK companies to expand and partner in the Gulf, and supporting high quality jobs for years to come.  

Many sectors including the food and drink sector are set to benefit from the deal once it enters into force. UK exports of cereals, cheddar cheese, chocolate and butter are just a few of the goods expected to become tariff-free, supporting British industry to grow.   

Today’s agreement marks a fifth agreement following major deals with India, the US, the EU and South Korea, as this Government continues to deliver the certainty and stability that businesses need to grow in tough times. 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: 

Today’s agreement is a huge win for British business, and for working people who will feel the benefits in the years ahead through higher wages and more opportunities. 

This government has now secured five major trade deals with international partners, delivering on our commitment to drive growth, support jobs and strengthen the UK economy. 

The Gulf states are valued economic partners and this agreement deepens that relationship, building trust and unlocking new possibilities for trade and investment.

The deal is estimated to add £3.7 billion to the UK economy every year in the long run when compared to 2040 projections and £1.9 billion in real wages, delivering for businesses and working people.

Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said: 

I’m proud that the UK is the first G7 country to secure a modern and ambitious trade deal with the GCC – an important and growing set of markets.  

For this Government to meet the challenges that our country faces, incremental change won’t cut it. That’s why major trade deals like this one, and that we secured with India, the US, South Korea and the EU, are vital for moving the dial towards long-term, sustainable economic growth with benefits people and businesses can see and feel. 

At a time of increased instability, today’s announcement sends a clear signal of confidence – giving UK exporters the certainty they need to plan ahead and reinforcing the strength and stability of the UK’s trading relationship with the Gulf at a critical moment.

The UK autos industry alongside high street names like Holland & Barrett stand to gain significantly from the deal, through tariff reductions, stronger Intellectual Property protections and simplified customs processes. By reducing the burdens that create barriers to trade, it will give UK businesses a competitive edge. 

Anthony Houghton, Group Chief Executive Officer of Holland & Barrett, said: 

We welcome this landmark agreement, which deepens economic ties between our markets. The Gulf is strategically important for us, as we continue our growth journey and expand our international presence. 

Fair, reliable and low-barrier trading is essential for businesses to compete and expand internationally with confidence. This agreement provides that stability, supporting companies like ours to grow and serve customers across the region.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:  

This agreement is good for jobs, good for industry and ultimately good for consumers, opening up a world of economic opportunity with a strategically important region.  

Our fifth trade deal since taking office, it’s proof we are backing British firms to compete and win globally, delivering growth, security and jobs, and that we have the right economic plan. 

UK services – which account for around 80% of the British economy and around half of the UK exports to GCC – will gain guaranteed market access under this deal. 

In 2024, there were over 400,000 business visits made from the UK to the Middle East so this deal will help British professionals including lawyers, engineers and consultants to travel more easily and stay longer in the region.  

Georges Elhedery, Group CEO, HSBC, said:

The GCC is a region of growing strategic importance and long-term opportunity, and one where HSBC’s heritage runs deep. The UK is one of our home markets and we have a presence in all six GCC states. We see first-hand the opportunity this agreement can unlock and stand ready to help deepen economic ties and support businesses to connect, invest and grow.

Anna Anthony, EY Regional Managing Partner UK and Ireland, said: 

The UK exported more than £17 billion in services to GCC countries last year, and this agreement should create even greater opportunities for UK professional services businesses in these high-growth markets. 

The agreement’s visa transparency and digital trade provisions will make it easier for UK professionals to deliver in-person and cross-border services, providing businesses with the clarity and confidence to compete in these markets. 

Delivering on key business asks, the deal will: 

• eliminate duties worth an estimated £580 million a year on UK goods exported to the GCC based on existing trade once fully implemented, giving consumers access to high-quality UK products.  
• remove an estimated £360 million duties on day one of the agreement entering into force, reducing costs for UK businesses and supporting supply chains. 
• create opportunities for companies producing iconic UK products – from butter and cheddar cheese to biscuits and chocolate – as the GCC imports over 80% of its food. 
• include the most ambitious commitments on customs procedures the GCC has ever signed up to, with customs cleared within 48 hours and shipments including perishable goods released in under 6 hours once all requirements are met. 
• lock in clarity and certainty for our services exporters, cementing their access to key markets. 
• cut red tape for business mobility, ensuring visa processes are fair, efficient, easier to navigate and increasingly digital. 
• enable UK companies to store and process data outside the region for the first time ever, which will save businesses money on setting up costly data centres in the Gulf. 
• unleash the power of international investment and ensure investments disputes are resolved fairly and transparently. Total bilateral investment was £18 billion in 2024 and supports critical infrastructure projects like Heathrow Airport. 
• align with the UK’s Industrial Strategy, supporting key high-growth sectors, including advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and digital technologies.  

This agreement, which could increase bilateral trade by 19.8%, is the latest in a series of major international deals the UK has struck with partners around the world to support businesses to export and grow, boost jobs and increase wages.  

When combined with the India trade deal, the agreements are estimated to add over £8 billion a year to UK GDP in the long run when compared to 2040 projections.  

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 21 May 2026.

Top Benefits of the UK-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Free Trade Agreement.

This is a deal that: 

– Delivers growth and prosperity across the UK  

This Free Trade Agreement (FTA) delivers on the Government’s core mission to generate the economic growth that will put money in people’s pockets and raise living standards right across the UK, in line with the Government’s growth agenda. On its own, this deal is estimated to add £3.7 billion to our economy each year in the long run when compared to 2040 projections, and £1.9 billion a year to real wages. When combined with the India FTA, the two agreements are estimated to add over £8 billion a year to UK GDP when compared to 2040 projections. This is underpinned by an ambitious tariff‑cutting package which will eliminate duties worth an estimated £580 million a year on UK goods exported to the GCC based on existing trade once the deal is fully implemented. £360 million worth of these duties will be removed on day one of the agreement entering into force*. 

This agreement deepens our partnership around shared principles – open trade, the certainty that businesses rely on in uncertain times, and the shared prosperity that drives long‑term economic success for all our nations. 

This  comprehensive agreement is, overall, the furthest the GCC have ever gone in a trade deal, and their first ever with a G7 nation.  It delivers the stability and certainty essential for prosperity, ensuring UK firms have secure access and growing opportunities across the Gulf. 

Make UK CEO Stephen Phipson CBE said:

With an increasing rise in global trade and economic protectionism, today’s announcement of the successful conclusion to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks between the United Kingdon (UK) and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) sends a powerful signal that the UK is open for business and remains resolute in its commitment to free and fair trade.

This agreement will support future economic growth for the world’s 6th and 9th largest economies. It will catalyse collaboration between two of the world’s largest and dynamic economies and will drive greater innovation, unlock growth, and build prosperity across a long-established and rich-in heritage corridor of trade, capital, and investment.

This future agreement should give British businesses the confidence they need to enter the market, trade more easily and benefit from the massive opportunity from the Region’s sustainable energy transition and collaboration in advanced manufacturing technological advancements.

Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Chief Executive Rain Newton-Smith said: 

The government has been steadfast in its commitment to openness – a clear demonstration of the UK’s leadership in championing free and fair trade in the face of rising global protectionism. 

 A new Free Trade Agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) represents an important opportunity to drive growth at home by deepening our cooperation with some of the world’s most dynamic and forward-looking economies. 

 The GCC’s strong investment capacity and growing diversification present sizeable opportunities for UK firms across advanced technologies, infrastructure, clean energy and services. 

 As the UK and its Gulf partners move towards concluding this landmark deal, a strong partnership between government and business will be essential to unlock the full potential of this ambitious new chapter in our global trade story.

HSBC UK Head of Commercial Banking Stuart Tait said: 

The conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement between the GCC and the UK is a significant milestone. This agreement will create new opportunities for businesses, bringing together one of the world’s fastest growing and modernising regions with the UK’s complementary strengths in key areas such as services, life sciences and innovation. We look forward to supporting this new partnership to deliver shared prosperity for both economies.

– Supports investment between the UK and GCC countries 

This deal will unleash the power of international investment to drive growth and support jobs, recognising we are already significant investors in each other’s countries. The Gulf is a major source of inward investment for the UK, including multi-billion-pound investments supporting critical infrastructure like Heathrow Airport. Total Foreign Direct Investments, portfolio, derivatives and other investment assets and liabilities between the UK and Gulf Arabian countries – which include the GCC nations, Yemen and Iraq** – totalled around £485 billion at the end of 2024.*** This agreement will help give both UK and GCC investors greater confidence to invest in each other’s projects, which is crucial for economic growth. In this deal we have agreed comprehensive levels of protections for UK and GCC investors and their investments, ensuring they receive fair and non-discriminatory treatment that will help give investors the confidence to make long-term investment decisions. It will also provide transparent independent legal recourse to resolve disputes if treaty obligations are breached. This will help ensure projects in both regions have the certainty they need to succeed.  

Lady Mayor of the City of London Dame Susan Langley DBE said: 

 This is a landmark moment for UK-GCC relations. The new Free Trade Agreement will unlock billions in trade, boost investment, and deepen our ties across financial services, fintech, and digital services.

The UK is open for business—and with the launch of the Mansion House Accord and Office for Investment: Financial Services, GCC investors now have a direct gateway into one of the world’s most dynamic financial ecosystems. The agreement will also encourage British businesses to open operations in the GCC. Together, we are building a future of shared prosperity.

The UK and the Gulf are an integral part of the global financial system, and I welcome our joint commitment to free and open trade.

Heathrow Airport Chief Customer Officer Ross Baker said: 

Tourism, trade, and investment between the UK and the GCC is critical for economic growth. As the UK’s only hub airport, Heathrow is vital to these connections, handling 71% of UK air cargo exports to the GCC. 

We welcome this Free Trade Agreement and the opportunities it brings, with Heathrow the gateway for the businesses and people across the UK who sell, invest, or travel to markets across the Gulf. By backing Heathrow expansion the Government is ensuring even more UK businesses can benefit from smoother trade links by adding 50% capacity to the country’s most valuable cargo port.

TheCityUK Managing Director, International, Nicola Watkinson said:  

The UK-GCC FTA is a significant step in deepening the UK’s economic relationship with one of the world’s most dynamic and fast-growing regions. For financial and related professional services, this agreement provides a stronger platform for long-term partnership, supporting capital markets, innovation, and deeper collaboration between the UK and GCC markets.

– Delivers opportunities for the UK’s priority high-growth sectors 

This deal supports the world-leading high-growth sectors identified in the UK’s Industrial Strategy, including by: 

• Eliminating tariffs on UK exports for the UK’s advanced manufacturing sectors including automotives, aerospace and machinery and electronics. This, alongside liberalising GCC imports, could enable UK businesses to unlock new export opportunities and buy cheaper inputs from GCC member states. 
• Promoting international cooperation on environment and climate issues, such as the transition to clean energy technologies. This will support the growth of UK companies already doing business in the region including Carbon Clean and Ricardo. As a world leader in green energy, the UK is well placed to meet the Gulf’s growing needs supporting this essential transition. In recent years, the GCC has committed billions of dollars to wind farms, solar power and other renewables supporting the UK’s clean growth agenda.   
• Breaking down barriers and promoting innovation in the creative industries. The deal preserves copyright protections which will increase transparency, help provide high-quality, safer products and provide UK businesses with the confidence that their rights are protected.  
• Facilitating the free flow of financial data to make cross-border trade in financial services easier, supporting firms like Standard Chartered and Santander. This deal is the first time the GCC has agreed to commitments prohibiting unjustified and disproportionate data localisation requirements, facilitating UK firms to store and process financial data outside of the region. The agreement lays a foundation for enhanced cooperation with financial hubs like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Bahrain in UK specialisms like banking, insurance, and fintech. 
• Providing valuable legal certainty for UK businesses operating across sectors, including in financial and professional business services, by locking in existing levels of market access and improving regulatory transparency and efficiency. This will benefit companies including Deloitte.
• Securing the most ambitious business mobility commitments the GCC has ever granted to a trading partner. These commitments provide for improved transparency and consistency of processes needed for business travel, supporting the delivery of commercial activity and trade. Skilled UK professionals, such as those working in engineering services companies, now have greater certainty that they can travel to the GCC to deliver services under contract, engage in business activities, or transfer to an office of their company in the GCC, subject to the specific commitments by each GCC Member State.   
• Securing far-reaching digital provisions which will support our innovative businesses like Tramshed Tech and Galaxkey. The deal will promote open internet access, protections against the forced transfer of source code and proprietary cryptographic information, and cooperation on emerging technologies like AI and paperless trade. 
• Bringing new opportunities for the life sciences companies like Phytome Life Sciences by slashing tariffs on medical equipment, which could strengthen supply chains as costs are lowered not only for businesses but for consumers. 

SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes said:

 The UK automotive industry welcomes the agreement in principle with the Gulf Cooperation Council and its ambition to strengthen trade with this important export region. We look forward to seeing the full detail to understand its impact and ensure it supports the sector’s competitiveness and future growth. With GCC markets currently disrupted by regional conflict, restoring stable trading conditions is the industry’s immediate priority. These markets are vital to UK automotive exports, and with the right framework in place, this agreement has the potential to support long-term opportunity for UK automotive manufacturers.

JLR Chief Financial Officer Richard Molyneux said: 

This free trade agreement will benefit JLR’s business in the GCC, which is an important market for our UK-made luxury vehicles. We thank the UK Government for its engagement with JLR and commend both the UK and the GCC on reaching this agreement.

Deloitte Head of Tax and Trade Policy Amanda Tickel said:  

The UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement represents an important milestone in strengthening the UK’s trade relationship with one of the world’s fastest-growing regions. By locking in existing market access to provide greater certainty and through supporting regulatory cooperation, the agreement will support the UK services sector to grow internationally. 

Ahead of the announcement of the FTA, our recent Attitudes to Trade Survey found that 64% of UK business leaders anticipated a UK-GCC FTA to be beneficial for the UK economy, highlighting strong underlying business support for the agreement.

Carbon Clean Chair and CEO Aniruddha Sharma said: 

For pioneering climate technology companies, the fastest path to scale runs across borders, and, with pilot partnerships completed and under way in the UAE (ADNOC) and Saudi Arabia (Aramco), we have seen firsthand how the Middle East can and will come to play a decisive role in driving Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage forward. 

A UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement would help growing companies, such as ourselves, move quickly from demonstration to large-scale deployment by breaking down regulatory and legal barriers to collaboration, strengthening the conditions for innovation and deepening collaboration between two regions with a shared interest in becoming global leaders in this field.

Galaxkey CISO and Board Member Sameer Shaikh said:  

The FTA will help Galaxkey grow its business in the GCC by strengthening government-to-government trust, which would open more opportunities for UK cybersecurity firms to participate in national projects and digital-transformation programmes. 

It will provide fast-track business growth and closures through joint forums which will help build relationships with cyber leaders (an essential element of succeeding in the GCC).  

It will facilitate digital trade by including strong digital economy provisions that allow for secure cross-border data flows — a critical enabler for Galaxkey’s SaaS and hybrid deployment models.

Intelligent Growth Solutions (IGS) CEO Andrew Lloyd said:  

The UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement has the potential to act as a powerful catalyst for British agritech innovation by accelerating projects across the Gulf region and embedding sustainable food production. 

The agreement will help us forge deeper partnerships, deploy our technology faster, and contribute meaningfully to food security and climate resilience in some of the world’s most climate-challenged environments.

Howden Middle East and Africa CEO Richard Mockett said:  

Howden’s presence across the GCC countries in retail, specialty insurance broking and reinsurance has already made a vital contribution to our growth globally over several years.  

We are incredibly excited by the reciprocal opportunities this agreement will bring to our clients and people across GCC countries as we look to expand through investment and partnership across the region. 

Association of British HealthTech Industries’ International Business Director Suzie Ali-Hassan said:  

The UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement represents an important opportunity to further strengthen HealthTech trade and investment between the UK and the Gulf region. 

The Gulf has long been a key partner for UK medical device, diagnostics and digital health businesses, and through our work supporting companies in the region, including trade shows and our Middle East Accelerator, we continue to see significant potential to expand collaboration and deliver healthcare outcomes that benefit patients across both regions.

UK Finance Managing Director David Raw said:

The agreement empowers our members to act as a bridge for capital and innovation, ensuring companies on both sides can fully harness the potential of a more dynamic and prosperous relationship. > As we look ahead, strengthening connectivity in transition finance, capital markets and digital assets will be the key to ensuring this partnership continues to boost prosperity across the UK and the Gulf.

Ricardo PLC Managing Director, Middle East, Akin Adamson said:  

Ricardo welcomes the signing of the UK-GCC FTA which will foster bilateral cooperation, drive innovation and increase shared prosperity for all.

Phytome Life Sciences CEO Dr Sebastian Vaughan said:  

A UK–GCC Free Trade Agreement unlocks a powerful UK–GCC axis of global thought and industrial leadership, combining a deep reservoir of UK intellectual capital with the rapidly expanding infrastructure, capital, and innovation ecosystems emerging across the GCC’s biotechnology sector.

By reducing friction on the movement of ideas, talent, innovation and technologies, this agreement radically accelerates the translation of cutting-edge science into real-world solutions. The result? Faster commercialisation, greater economic value and meaningful social impact.

AEI Saudi Founder Director, Senior Advisor to the Middle East Association, Adam Hosier said:  

At AEI we support 100s of companies each year to succeed in Saudi, the Middle East’s largest market. The UK-GCC FTA will only increase that number, easing access to the unparalleled opportunities available across the region.  

For instance, we have long championed greater local presence and collaboration by any company entering these markets, and this FTA recognises and supports exactly that with key considerations from data localisation to improved mobility commitments.

HCR Law Partner Raj Pahuja said:  

The UK GCC FTA marks a landmark moment for UK businesses and the Gulf region. As the most significant agreement of its kind in Europe with the GCC, it opens the door to substantial new opportunities across key sectors and has the potential to drive major commercial growth. We look forward to supporting our clients as they navigate this new landscape and maximise the benefits of the agreement.

Tramshed Tech Co-Founder Mark John said:  

Tramshed Tech is committed to supporting companies and organisations from the Welsh digital and tech ecosystem to access the international marketplace. 

The continuing support and specialist expertise of DBT and UK Government have proved invaluable in enabling Tramshed and our member and tenant companies – and our wider networks – to access class-leading export opportunities from the GCC region.

We see the confirmation of this GCC trade deal, brokered by DBT/UK Government, as a key growth measure to underpin export growth opportunities for the Welsh economy – it is warmly welcomed by Tramshed and our tech community in Wales (and across the UK).

Pearson UK CEO Sharon Hague said: 

As nations adapt to evolving workforce demands, we welcome this agreement as a positive step in strengthening UK–GCC cooperation. By deepening cross-border education partnerships, it creates new opportunities for teachers and learners across the UK and the GCC to access high-quality, digitally enabled education at scale.  

Technology is advancing rapidly, but it is human expertise, and the ability to learn and adapt, that ultimately unlocks its full economic potential.

– Boosts opportunities for British brands in everything from food to cars  

The Gulf loves British goods – and British goods manufacturers and producers are going to benefit further from trading with the Gulf, thanks to this deal. The agreement secures significant tariff reductions – eliminating an estimated £580 million in duties faced by UK exporters based on existing trade flows, with £360 million removed on day one of the agreement entering into force.** ** After a decade, 90% of GCC tariff lines will be removed, unlocking tariff‑free access for around 93% of UK goods exports based on existing trade flows.    

This means that around two thirds of UK goods will enter the GCC tariff-free immediately after the deal enters into force, rising to around 93% after ten years, delivering a major boost for UK manufacturers, food producers and high-value brands.  

Tariffs will be removed on automotives made in the UK and sold in the Gulf. In 2025, we exported £1.4 billion-worth of cars to GCC countries currently facing tariffs of 5%. Companies renowned for quality, such as JLR, can expect to benefit. Tariffs will be removed on iconic products like oats, cereals, biscuits, baking products, salmon which all face tariffs of 5%, although certain countries apply higher tariffs on specific products. UK exports of frozen lamb and the majority of cheese will also see tariffs removed on day one of the agreement entering into force.  

Retail and beauty brands are set to thrive too: the GCC will cut tariffs on UK perfumes and skincare of 5%, although certain countries apply higher tariffs on specific products. This deal means more British quality products on shelves, more sales, and a bigger presence for our best-loved brands across the Gulf. 

NFU President Tom Bradshaw said:  

I’m really pleased our government has listened to our concerns and ensured we can take advantage of the strong demand in the GCC for things like lamb, cheese and oats – securing greater access for high‑quality British goods while safeguarding our pork, chicken and egg sectors. 

It will be a relief to farmers and the public that the government has held firm on its promise to safeguard Britain’s high food production standards.

Food & Drink Federation Chief Executive Karen Betts said:  

Food and drink manufacturers welcome the new Free Trade Agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). It’s an exciting opportunity to boost trade with what is a rapidly growing market for UK food and drink.

Prior to the war in Iran, our exports to the region were worth over £800m a year and growing at twice the rate of EU exports, reflecting the high demand in GCC countries for high quality, delicious and trusted British brands. While we expect trade to continue to be disrupted in the short-term, the removal of tariffs from day one on iconic British products like oats, breakfast cereals and biscuits will help food manufacturers build export momentum in the years ahead.

We look forward to working with the Government to ensure food and drink businesses have the support they need to make the most of this new opportunity.

Walker’s Shortbread Head of International Sales Alastair Walker said: 

Having exported to the GCC region for more than 40 years, it remains a key strategic market for the development and growth of our brand. We are supportive of any processes which help to reduce costs, simplify customs and share market data. Such advancements are key to ensuring the flexibility and momentum we need to grow with our trusted regional partners.

Jermyn Street Association Director Katie Thomas said: 

The UK’s premium consumer goods sector is built on craftsmanship, heritage and global reputation. We welcome initiatives that reduce friction for UK exporters and create clearer pathways into high-growth markets. 

For the largely independent, often family-run brands of Jermyn Street, the removal of trade barriers and greater certainty around customs processes will make a meaningful difference to competitiveness and sustainable export growth.

– Reduces administrative burden and costs for UK businesses  

Businesses were clear that aiding the ease of doing business was a top priority. This deal has secured provisions allowing UK exporters, should they wish, to complete and self-certify their own origin documentation after initial registration – a top ask from businesses that can help cut costs and reduce the administrative burden when exporting. Alongside this, simple, efficient and transparent customs processes will allow British companies, large and small, to export more easily to the region. Businesses have also raised concerns about the risk of delay or rejection at the border, putting them off trying to sell fresh goods. This deal addresses that concern by agreeing the most ambitious commitments on customs procedures the bloc has ever signed up to. The GCC have agreed that shipments that satisfy requirements will take a maximum of 48 hours to clear customs, with perishable goods released in under 6 hours. These improvements will benefit businesses of all sizes, ensuring certainty and consistency for traders when moving goods through the GCC border.   A dedicated chapter for SMEs contains commitments to treat UK firms fairly and provide the information they need to operate in the region in an easily accessible and comprehensive format in English. 

The Federation of Small Businesses Policy Chair Tina McKenzie said:   

We welcome the conclusion of the UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement negotiations, and the agreement to include a dedicated SME Chapter. Making it easier for small firms to trade internationally is vital if we are serious about growth across the whole of the UK. 

Small exporters are often the first to spot new opportunities but the last to get tailored support. A strong SME chapter can help remove barriers, improve access to information, and give smaller businesses the confidence to enter new markets.

Creative Nature Founder & CEO Julianne Ponan MBE said:  

The GCC is one of the exciting growth markets for British food brands, and for an SME exporter like Creative Nature, this FTA is a game changer. Faster customs clearance and dedicated SME provisions mean we can serve our retail partners across the region including Carrefour, Lulu’s and Spinneys  more efficiently, and bring safe, allergen-free food to more families who need it. It’s a real vote of confidence in British SMEs and the role we play on the global stage.

– Locks in the certainty our world-class services firms need to grow and expand their presence   

Overall, we have secured the best outcomes on services that the GCC has ever agreed to in an FTA. It locks in clarity and certainty for our finance and services exporters, cementing their access to key markets and giving them the confidence they need to expand their trade with the region. For many sectors, this chapter guarantees a level of treatment for UK businesses compared to their domestic competitors; limiting discriminatory practices to promote a level playing field. As the region begins to realise its ambitious plans for the future, opportunities for UK services firms and experts are expected to expand. This growing demand increases the likelihood that British companies will play a key role in delivering major projects—from architecture and engineering to building wind farms to irrigating the desert. The deal encourages this by supporting businesses and professionals applying for visas, and ensuring processes will be more transparent, consistent, and easier to navigate. It contains commitments outlining that licensing processes should be fair and accessible, associated fees be proportionate and that information be published online and in English. This will provide the transparency businesses have told us is vital to them.  

Standard Chartered Group Chief Executive Bill Winters CBE said: 

The UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement is a significant achievement. It will unlock new opportunities for UK businesses to trade with one of the world’s most dynamic, innovative and fastest-growing regions.  

By reducing tariffs, removing market barriers and increasing collaboration, the agreement will drive greater bilateral investment and growth across this important corridor. 

EY UK Regional Managing Partner EY UK & Ireland Anna Anthony said: 

The UK exported more than £20 billion in services to GCC countries last year, and this agreement should create even greater opportunities for UK professional services businesses in these high-growth markets. 

The agreement’s visa transparency and digital trade provisions will make it easier for UK professionals to deliver in-person and cross-border services, providing businesses with the clarity and confidence to compete in these markets.

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Senior Public & Government Affairs Manager Abdullah Awadh said:  

A UK-GCC FTA can unlock real impact on the ground, from faster access for UK-qualified professionals to greater influence for UK institutions on the region’s ambitious transformation agendas. The ability to move talent, share standards, and collaborate on training is vital to delivering the sustainable, tech-enabled infrastructure the GCC is investing in. This isn’t about opening doors to a new market – we’re already here – it’s about making our impact more effective, and futureproofing it.

Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) CEO Valerie Vaughan Dick MBE said:  

This agreement is a welcome step for our world-class architecture sector, which is a global leader in exporting architectural services.  

Even at a time of global uncertainty, growth across the Gulf’s built environment shows considerable promise and presents significant opportunities for UK architects to learn and make a meaningful contribution, bringing skills and expertise that deliver design and sustainability excellence.

– Delivers for the digital future 

For the first time, the GCC has agreed to prohibit unjustified and disproportionate data localisation requirements, which will enable UK companies operating in the GCC to store their data outside the bloc – a huge benefit for UK firms, who will avoid having to establish costly data centres in the Middle East. It also commits both sides to cooperation on the technologies of the future, so we can both take advantage when new products and services emerge. 

Darktrace Chief Strategy Officer Phil Pearson said: 

We welcome the conclusion of negotiations for the UK–Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement. This landmark deal provides Britain’s technology sector with the improved market access needed to strengthen partnerships across some of the world’s most dynamic digital economies. We are excited to forge deeper regional collaborations to bring our unique AI-powered cybersecurity solutions to help secure this ambitious region as it takes full advantage of its digital transformation.

Bexprt CEO & Founder Mo Hamdy said: 

UK technology and innovation are highly respected across the GCC. Since founding Bexprt in 2018, we’ve built strong partnerships in the region, deepening our commitment in 2022 by establishing our Saudi Arabia entity. Our business has since flourished, particularly in public cloud and artificial intelligence, where we deliver trusted enterprise AI and resilience solutions.  

The UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement, with its focus on digital trade, cybersecurity, and innovation, will further strengthen confidence in UK technology and create new opportunities for companies like Bexprt to continue to grow across the region.

Quorum Cyber CEO Federico Charosky said: 

Quorum Cyber is proud to play an active role in strengthening cybersecurity and trust across the UK and the GCC. With strong relationships already established in the United Arab Emirates, we see an FTA with the GCC as a natural next step. By building on this shared progress, this agreement would create huge opportunities for the two regions and give businesses and people a bright, secure future.

TechUK International Policy and Strategy Lead Sabina Ciofu said:  

The Gulf is a growing market of real interest for UK tech companies – something we saw first-hand during our recent delegation to the UAE and Saudi Arabia.  

The UK-GCC FTA has the potential to open even more doors for innovative British firms, not only by creating new commercial opportunities but also by providing the legal certainty businesses need to scale with confidence. We look forward to working with government and our members to turn this agreement from words on paper into tangible growth.

– Fosters greater collaboration on UK and international priorities 

The UK’s partnerships with the Gulf are deep and historic. This landmark FTA reflects that they are also future-focused, sending a strong signal of our continued commitment to work together. This deal will strengthen these relationships, helping make us more secure and prosperous at home by strengthening supply chains and growing our economy. It sends a strong signal to the rest of the world that the UK is standing up for free and fair trade, in line with our Trade Strategy, which sets out our commitment to fair and open markets as the best route to growth and raising living standards across the UK.  

This agreement reflects our strategic approach to trade, supporting UK businesses to sell more, grow faster, and compete globally, while delivering economic security and resilience. Outcomes on innovation will ensure the FTA is future-proofed and responsive to emerging technologies and global challenges, unlocking opportunities for UK businesses to lead in innovation-driven sectors. Within this agreement, we have also agreed a package of commitments on environment, labour, women’s economic empowerment, and animal welfare that go further than anything the GCC has agreed before in an FTA, opening new avenues for collaboration on shared priorities. This FTA includes commitments promoting women’s access to the benefits of the agreement and addressing barriers that are specific to women face in trade.  It also reaffirms core international labour protections for workers and provides reassurance to businesses by adding more regulatory certainty that parties will not weaken their labour laws. 

British Chambers of Commerce Head of Trade Policy William Bain said:  

This deal is great news for the UK economy; it will open up new opportunities for inward investment, exports and supply chains. Once ratified, there will be lower tariffs on food and drink, automotives, and industrial goods and existing market access for key UK services sectors will be guaranteed.

There is great potential to expand our trade with this key region, which already generates £57bn a year for the UK economy. Securing long-term economic benefits with close trade partners, like the GCC, is vital for tens of thousands of UK firms with high ambitions on export growth.

Director General of the Institute of Directors Jonathan Geldart said: 

The Institute of Directors welcomes the signing of the trade agreement between the UK and the GCC. We know from our own extensive work in the GCC that it is one of the world’s most dynamic regions.  

This deal represents a significant opportunity for the UK to deepen our trade ties and strengthen economic collaboration. We look forward to seeing British businesses benefit from increased access and enhanced opportunities for growth and innovation.

British Standards Institution’s (BSI) Director General, Standards, Dr Scott Steedman, said: 

Widespread use of common international standards by companies and governments across the region will be key to success in the free trade agreement between the UK and Gulf Cooperation Council announced today. We welcome the agreement, in particular its potential to support increased trade and improve reciprocal market access. BSI looks forward to working with the UK government, our counterpart standards bodies in the Gulf as well as with the Gulf Standards Organization as this agreement is implemented to foster a streamlined trading environment and boost market access opportunities for UK companies.