The agreement, signed with Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, is projected to boost the UK economy by £3.7 billion annually in the long term and increase wages by around £1.9 billion each year.
The deal will remove tariffs on the majority of UK exports to the Gulf region, opening new opportunities for sectors including food and drink, automotive, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, technology and professional services.
Businesses are expected to benefit from easier access to Gulf markets, improved investment protections and reduced trade barriers, helping UK firms expand operations and strengthen partnerships across one of the world’s fastest-growing economic regions.
Government ministers described the agreement as a major milestone for British trade, highlighting the Gulf region as an increasingly important partner for investment and long-term economic growth. The GCC is already one of the UK’s largest export markets, with trade between the regions worth tens of billions of pounds annually.
The agreement is also the first free trade deal between the GCC and a G7 nation, underlining the UK’s ambition to strengthen international trade relationships and create new opportunities for British businesses.
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