Gulf states, Turkiye to launch FTA talks

"The agreement will liberalise trade in goods and services, facilitate investments and trade, and increase our country's trade with the region," Turkish trade minister Omer Bolat, who signed the joint statement with GCC secretary general Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi, said on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

After years of tension with the Gulf nations, Turkiye has improved its ties with them and has signed deals worth billions.

“…These agreements are part of the GCC’s efforts to diversify income sources and foster economic growth,” the secretary general was quoted as saying by a GCC release.

"As a ring of the strong cooperation with the Gulf region to improve our economic relations under the leadership of our President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, this new commercial partnership projection is of great importance in terms of reaching a larger share in the global economy with the GCC countries with the win-win principle," noted Bolat.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (DS)