UK, GCC Hold First Round of FTA Talks

The U.K. and Gulf Cooperation Council recently held the first round of negotiations on a free trade agreement, the U.K.'s Department for International Trade said Oct. 12. The Aug. 22 to Sept. 29 talks were carried out virtually. Both parties discussed their objectives for the FTA and exchanged technical information across 29 policy areas during 33 sessions, the DIT said. The deal is anticipated to boost U.K.-GCC trade by 16% and add nearly $1.8 billion to the British economy. The DIT said it will not compromise on its environmental and labor protections, public health, animal welfare and food standards.